link supporting my Dooling-to-Miami rumor lol... http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-dooling22jul22,0,1328034.story?coll=sfla-sports-front
Heat sign Dooling as backup point guard http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-heat-dooling&prov=ap&type=lgns July 22, 2004 MIAMI (AP) -- Free agent Keyon Dooling is returning home to play for the Miami Heat, where his job will be to back up point guard Dwyane Wade and get the ball to Shaquille O'Neal. Dooling, who grew up in nearby Fort Lauderdale, signed a one-year contract with a player option for a second season. The deal was announced Thursday. He's the Heat's first acquisition since they completed a trade for O'Neal last week. ``It's a no-brainer if you get an opportunity to play with somebody like that who can elevate your game to the next level,'' Dooling said. ``I've been on a team that wasn't the best team in the past. I really wanted to play for a good team.'' The 6-foot-3 Dooling, the 10th player taken in the 2000 draft, spent his first four NBA seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers. Ankle and foot injuries forced him to miss 68 games in 2002 and 20 in 2003. Last season he started 24 games but struggled and lost his spot in the lineup. He averaged 6.2 points per game and shot 17 percent from 3-point range. ``I'm healthy now and get a fresh start, and hopefully I can make a name for myself in this league,'' Dooling said. ``My best basketball is ahead of me.'' The Heat were in the market for a backup point guard after Rafer Alston signed with Toronto. ``We absolutely love Keyon's speed and quickness,'' Heat coach Stan Van Gundy said. ``I think he will provide us with great energy. He's a guy who can score points and has a chance to develop into a very good player.'' The Heat remain in the market for perimeter shooters and met last weekend with forward Robert Horry. Updated on Thursday, Jul 22, 2004 5:01 pm EDT
James has very little court vision. He's a solid defender, a streaky jumpshooter, and decent at driving the lane. He's not that good, but he's not awful. Boston players were ecstatic when Chucky Atkins replaced him and commented how it was great to have a guy that could run a team now, and Chucky isn't exactly a pure point guard. Didn't Boston fans say the same thing about Chauncey Billups whose numbers were virtually IDENTICAL to Mike James when he played in Boston?
Billups played like half a season as a rookie after coming out after his sophomore year and with Pitino running a fullcourt press the entire game in Boston. Not sure that's comparable. I'm a Piston fan and feel nothing negative about losing James, and would love to have Atkins back. James never impressed me. James is mediocre through and through.
Who is left that isn't mediocre? Jones? Daniels? All three of these guys are very similar skill wise and fairly mediocre. However, IMO Daniels will end up costing more, so it's down to Jones and James who both put up similar numbers. One thing truly separates them. Defense. And James it the one that stands out.
He also has the best 3pt shooting % which will be a big part of the offensive scheme. He's a career .342 and a suprising .429 playoff.
rick james jokes. Don't forget native rapper mike jones either. I'm who? mike james. who? mike james. who?
According to a credible poster on another message board, There's chance Mike James might signed a three-year deal soon. Here are his words Caron_Butler(8948 posts) #1 " Your starting PG will soon be signed... Mike James and he's gonna surprise alot of you guys who say ....... WHO/WHAT/WHY? I talked to him today and he sounded close to a 3 yr deal with Houston, if not them, it'll be NJ or Milwaukee " #2 " here's my opinion on Mike James: He doesn't try to do too much, he understands his role...he's a floor leader, can run a team, but can also score the ball if needed....he's solid on defense and can hit the 3 ball....he's got a great attitude, he's a likeable person who would (i'd imagine) get along with everyone in the locker room, and he's young and hungry..... if it doesnt show i wanted him back in miami and not dooling, then i'm saying it now....Mike James is one of my personal favorite players (alot based on speaking with him and knowing the person he is) and I hope he gets a chance to go somewhere to show his skills... "
I'm wondering why everyone is up on Mike Jame's johnson ? what's so great about him than Damon Jones or Antonio Daniels.. (i'd take Daniels btw ) Im pretty sure.. if you look into the CBA .. there are plenty of PG's that can take him on.. or pretty much play better team ball the way a PG should be playing.. and dammit.. someone give Wilks a chance.. I like his game.
Well I got no idea if this signing rumor is legit, but the desription this guy Caron_Butler gave of James' game is dead on. He would basically fit all our needs out of a PG perfectly.
Positives towards DJ: -I think he can more likely to be able to play some 2 as well as 1 -Is 6'3" versus 6'2" -Is 1 year younger (soon to be 28 versus 29) -Slight edge in career FG% & 3% -Modest edge in assists and higher A/TO, especially last year Positives toward MJ -Slight edge in 3% last year (38% to 36%) -Slight edge in career and last year FT% -Major edge in steals, career and last year -Other reports that he is a stronger defender (subjective) Evens -Same FG% last year (40%) -Both performed even stronger in the playoffs, though Damon got a lot more minutes -Both started more than a few games and performed well Overall I think offensively, slight edge to Damon. But defensively, edge James. I also think Damon has a slight more upside based on his drammatic improvement last year, higher minute playoff production, and he is slightly younger/taller. In sum, I'd be happy with either one. For the same money and contract duration, I'll take Damon for the slight edge in upside, but if James can be had for a significantly better contract, lock em up. I also don't see a big edge in AD over either player--though evaluating all facets I would probably put AD ahead of either by a nod. Nonetheless, if Seattle wants significant compensation for AD we might as well just take Jones or James, who I think would fill the role close to as well, as a FA. BTW James performed more efficiently than either Chucky Atkins or Bob Sura in similar situations last year.
Thanks for the rundown Desert Scar. I agree in that we should get whoever will cost us the least. We are just splitting hairs when it comes down to who is available. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised seeing one of these guys signed for cheap and then the Rockets make a move during the season (trading Lue with the expiring contract) to acquire a starter ahead of whoever we get this offseason.
http://www.thetowntalk.com/html/03E8AABC-BA68-4C53-BD0A-F1C319BB451D.shtml I don't know if you guys saw this or not, but it's from July 2nd. It's an article about James' unlikely path to the NBA and how he spoke to kids at a basketball camp in Louisianna then. The end of the article serves up this quote: "Don't say anything," James told the kids, "but I might just be a Houston Rocket."
Caron_Butler's post is up-to-date. He even mentioned a possible 3 year deal. Maybe James was with another group of kids yesterday.
