Now that I've been watching a lot of Sesame Street with my daughter, I've come to realize that professional athletes are just trying to emulate Elmo. They hope to capture at least half his cachet by acting like him. James, especially, thought he could follow Elmo's footsteps since he also matches him in size.
You know, this would involve a lot of finesse, but i might go personal with him, really nicely and respectfully, if you have the chance. Not like "are you a sellout," nothing confrontational, but he might actually talk if you let him, and I think the most interesting thing about this situation is that he seemed, inretrospect, genuinely torn. I posted earlier that I thought he was coming, and I was admittedly wrong, but i think this was a dance with the rockets the whole time, I really think he wanted to come back. I wonder if it was the trade kicker more than the money. I might ask him basektball-wise: "Playing devils advocate for a second, if you can step into a GM's shoes and talk hypothetically - would you have any reservation about committing serious money to a guard at the age of 36." "For someone who playied in houston for less than one season, you made a fairly large impact on the fans and team. you scuffled with Juwann Howard, and there were rumors that you and Tracy McGrady had some differences on the court. What was the chemistry like for you on the Rockets?" "As far as the Rockets Organization goes, how would you characterize your relationship right now?" "What were the best and worst aspects of playing a team coached by Jeff Van Gundy?" Personal wise; "If you had to rank, as honestly as you can, the following in terms of importance to you this summer, how would you rank the following:" Money Championship caliber teammates Stability / No trade Length of contract Fans "You had mentioned feeling like a NBA prostitue, which is pretty strong words. People talk about the good side of being a pro basketball player - money, fame, glory, free gatorade and so forth. But what are the most personally difficult parts of being a professional basketball player for you?" "Any messages for the fans in houston who are threatening to jump of the roof of the Derek Hotel (or some funnier houston non-landmark that I can not think of right now) now that you are a Timberwolf?" This is cool, by the way, I hope it works out. Are you up to this Clutch? You might need Lance Zerlein to mentor you here, this is very very serious business. Damage control must be done!!!
It appeared Minnesota was looking at possibly moving K. Garnett, however with your addition will most likely give a run one last shot.......however, if things don't go well this year I would believe Minnesota will look to trade KG and start rebuilding. Did he think about that possibility and how does he like the idea of most likely beig part of a rebuild in the near future? A possible question, as I do believe this is a real posibility........
With what we have seen of Randy Foye, do you feel that you will be able to complete the 4 years in Minnie, or are going to get the playing time?
I don't have any input at the moment, but congrats on the opportunity to do such a potentially revealing interview. I'm very excited to hear anything and everything that you find out. This seems like a great step-up for Clutchfans. I haven't read anything in the Chronicle for a while that would be this interesting.
Q's: 1 does he see himself having the same impact Sammy did when with Minnie? 2- does he feel that his legacy will be seen as a petulant player, one who loves to play only for the pay?
ask him if he is looking forward to freezing his ass off only to be knocked out in the first round of the playoffs. good riddance. I won't waste anymore of my time thinking about Mike "show me the money" James.
I really like this one and have always wondered how often players check message boards....more specifically this one. Ask him what he thinks about playing with Randy Foye. They seem to almost be images of one another. Both guards who can create their own shot and score points in a hurry. Obviously Foye has the altheticism, but James has the better shot. Pugs
1. What part did Morey play in their negotiations? 2. Did the Rockets give an explanation as to why they would not give the trade kicker or the player option? If they did, what was it? 3. Who did he notify with the Rockets that he was signing with Minny, CD, Morey, or Jeff? And what was their response? 4. Did he go back to the Rockets after he got Minny to give him the trade kicker and player option and give them the opportunity to match? 5. Was Les ever involved in any of the negotiations with him and if so to what extent? 6. Did he calculate the extra cost of commuting to Minny and the cost of the state income taxes in Minnesota into his decision? If so, wouldn't that make the Rockets deal worth more? And if this was indeed so, then it really didn't come down to money but it came down to how much of a commitment the organization was willing to make to him as far as trading him, didn't it? 7. Did the Rockets or any of the teams promise him a place in the starting lineup? If so, did that figure into his decision?
Why did he continously say it's about wining championships but turn down, the Heat, Mavericks, and the Rockets...with 2 of the 3 actually having good playoff teams and one who won the Championship to go to a team that has never left the first round?
1. Mike, considering your statements about wanting to play for a team with a chance at a title, how will you feel if/when Kevin Garnett gets traded? 2. Did the Alston trade have any effect on your decision to sign for Minny (and not Houston)? 3. From a free agent's perspective, what are the things that appealed to you most about the idea of playing for Houston (again)? 4. Similarly, what detracted you from wanting to be a Rocket?
I like that one. I would add to it how will he feel if that happens and Minny is already headed for the lottery in the middle of februry with sub zero temperatures and a trade kicker which gives him no chance in hell of getting out. Ask him how he likes the trade kicker then. The trade kicker was good for him in Houston but not needed in Minny. No one wants to get traded to Minny. They want out. Yeah ask him how he feels about that.
I'm guessing Mike James does read this message board. Clutch has indicated that several members of the Rockets organization, including players, read this site. James seems like the type to want to know what people think of him, and this is the best way to do it. Here are the questions I would ask.. 1. What was CDs/Morey's/Gundy's response to your request for signing? Did they just flat-out say no or did they want to negotiate more? 2. If he did come to the Rockets, what role did he see himself serving? Starting SG? Starting PG? Backup PG/6th man? 3. Ask him to explain why he was praising the Rockets one week and bashing them the next.
