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Mike James loses Wolves starting job

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by Clutch, Feb 12, 2007.

  1. YallMean

    YallMean Member

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    I thought they wanted a shooter desperately.
     
  2. SamFisher

    SamFisher Member

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    They can want a shooter.

    They can also be stuck with an angry Mike James on their bench for 4 years.

    Beggars can't be choosers!
     
  3. blahblehblah

    blahblehblah Member

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    While I do think rafer has played an important role in the Rockets success, it seems obvious that MJ if the Rockets were to acquire him would AND should be the starting point guard. James is obviously the better player as he is not only superior in shooting, scoring off the dribble, and finishing around the rim, but also in defending his man.

    The only question mark or negative in starting James over alston is the concern over his ability to run the offense and get everyone involve. Say what you want about rafer's miserable layups, floaters and 2 FG point %, but it seems undeniable that his ability to run the offense, set the pace, pass/move the ball and quickly get the rockets into their offense has been integral to the Rockets success. Its argueable that in his carreer James has atleast somewhat struggled with finding the balance between getting his shots and getting others involve. In fact the article in the star tribune alluded to this commenting "but [James] often has seemed stuck between setting up other players and searching for his own offense. Wittman said he hoped James could play more aggressively and look to score coming off the bench."

    Clearly this is a valid concern for JVG and the Rockets were they to acquire him. However it shouldnt and wouldnt be one which negates all the other positive attributes he brings. Lastly it shouldnt prevent him from the starting spot, since working James into fitting the offensive philosophy would be much easier than working James's skills into Alstons body.

    So despite the trade kicker and the size of his contract, the rockets should definitely pursue yet again to acquire Mike James. Whether it be, James for Sura and V-spn or James for Sura and Padgett, GET'R DONE CD!
     
  4. YallMean

    YallMean Member

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    Could Cavs make an offer at Mike James?
     
  5. TTRocket

    TTRocket Member

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    Mike James is having a horrible season right now. At this point in time, I'm not sure if he is better than Alston, but I guess 2 Alstons are better than Head at backup PG. Atkins would be the best choice if we could get him.
     
  6. YallMean

    YallMean Member

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    Atkins blows, trust me. MJ is way better.
     
  7. jopatmc

    jopatmc Member

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    I was and am a Rafer supporter...........as much as I can be. I can't support 35% from the field. As long as he shoots over 40%, I will accept that, as long as his 3 point percentage doesn't fall below 35%.

    However, when I originally supported Rafer, I had no idea that JVG was going to make McGrady the primary playmaker. I really felt with a healthy Yao and McGrady that Rafer would be running pick and roll and penetrating and feeding to either McGrady or Yao or being able to finish with the layups because nobody would leave 111 to help. Or he would dish to 111 and then peel out to the corner for the get back 3 ball. But as it has turned out, McGrady has become primary playmaker and Rafer for the most part has become the guy that dribbles the ball over half court then spots up at the strike. I still do not think this is in the long term best interests of our team. It takes too much out of McGrady over the course of a season. I believe this should be a part of our offense but our offense should grow to the point where we use a playmaking point like Rafer or VSpan to play off the pick up at the top of the key area and then create something themselves.

    I still like Rafer. I just believe that he would be a good 20 minutes a night guy. And as much as I hate to say it, if McGrady is gonna be pulling the trigger at the point, we might as well have Luther run the point.

    I still think McGrady is best off looking for the shot first and the pass second. He is a great decision maker and he is willing to give up the bball. But if we started the game with a playmaker establishing that they can get to the rim and finish, if we just had that 3rd guy that teams have to account for along with 111, then we would be H3LL for other teams to deal with.

    So, in retrospect, if I had known that McGrady was going to become primary facilitator, then I would have gladly opted for Mike James over Rafer and Luther Head......in a heartbeat.
     
  8. Rockets111

    Rockets111 Member

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    And yours is any more useful?

    I didnt realize you had any say in the Rockets organization. Musta missed that one.

    And I didn't say Rafer is the only PG for this team. If the likes of Billups and Nash can be had, then by all means, get them. But he's a much better fit than James would ever be. James had his 15 minutes of fame this summer and then his stock dropped QUICK. Rafer's averaging 14/5/3 and almost 2 steals per for a 32-18 ballclub.

    I'll enjoy watching how the rest of James' career plays out though. I smell a buyout in the very near future and hardly any contending team is gonna want to go near him.
     
  9. TTRocket

    TTRocket Member

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    Just wondering if it ever occured to you that we are winning in spite of Alston and not because of him???? Also, we dont need a Nash or Billups to be an upgrade over Alston, who has the WORST FG% in the NBA and is the 3d leading shottaker on our team.
     
  10. sammy

    sammy Member

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    He would be a adequate back-up PG for us. He was ranked by Yahoo as the 36th best player in fantasy for the month of January. I dont think he "blows". The guy is shooting nearly 45 % from the field, 40 % from 3 pt range and 82% from the FT line. Some of the hate towards this guy is stupid.
     
  11. KALIKULI

    KALIKULI Member

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    Straight up!
     
  12. tigermission1

    tigermission1 Member

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    He's a bad fit in Minny, he should have known that going in. I love Mike and I love his competitiveness/passion for the game, but he made a stupid decision not to come back and play in Houston and he's now paying for it.

    That being said, I would still take him back on the Rockets in a heartbeat. I think he's one of those players that can be added to the current roster and can potentially put us over the top against teams like Dallas/Suns (better defense, better shooter, tailor-made for the kind of system the Rockets run).

    Rafer is OK, but if nothing else he needs some competition at his position and we need a more reliable 2nd option at the point when T-Mac is resting.
     
  13. tigermission1

    tigermission1 Member

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    Good post, I agree.
     
  14. Rockets111

    Rockets111 Member

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    Ah, because when we lose it's because of him, and when we win, it has nothing to do with him, right?

    Good logic there.
     
  15. Clutch

    Clutch Administrator
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    Back to raw total averages again, only this time with a "he's a winner" twist. In that case, on the same Rockets team, Mike James averaged 13/3/3 in less minutes a night for a team that won at a better rate (19-8). Give him Rafer's minutes at that clip and that's 18/4/5 and 1.4 steals (to Rafer's 1.7) and less turnovers (1.42 to Rafer's 2.2).

    The "Rafer-winner" angle doesn't work. You simply look at Rafer the past two seasons and James with the same star core in Houston and it has no substance.
     
  16. cavevato

    cavevato Member

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    Isnt Mike James the same as Luther Head except he got handles and is a better defender? I would say yes to mike james
     
  17. Tom Bombadillo

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    Id give up novak for a pile of beans...
     
  18. blahblehblah

    blahblehblah Member

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    I'd give up V-span for a pile of dirt. :D
     
  19. tigermission1

    tigermission1 Member

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    I like Luther and all, but he's nowhere near the player Mike James is. Luther is clutch and can make threes...otherwise his 'repertoire' is extremely lacking.
     
  20. Patience

    Patience Member

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    I have to second the notion that there must be a reason that Mike James wears out his welcome everywhere he goes.

    If Mike James's gaudy statistics for the Raptors last year were so valuable, then why did they let him go for nothing? If his gaudy statistics were so valuable, then why are the Raptors a better team this year?

    IMHO Mike James is a 6th man gunner who can rack up points, but is a suspect team player, and is unreliable as a decision maker in the clutch. While Rafer may miss, at least his shots come out of the offense and come as a result of plays made by our primary options.

    The last thing I want in the 4th quarter of a playoff game is Mike James looking off TMac or Yao to jack up a 27 foot 3-pointer because he is "feeling hot."
     

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