| The Mike James Predicament Authored by Adam Epstein - May 10, 2006 - 2:12 am
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I’m sick and tired of hearing about Mike James talk about his contract, and how he’s owed something from the NBA. What one wants from Mike James is for him to play some tough defense, dish the ball, and hit a couple shots. Most importantly, he is expected to be a high character guy that lays it all out on the floor. But, this season he has led fans and the media to believe that he is laying it all out in the locker room or the press box with his constant allusions towards his impending free agency. By doing this, he has effectively changed the perception of the player on the court. When he was with Houston last year and Detroit in years past, James was praised for his unselfishness and yeoman like effort. One would never expect him to make the proclamations about his contract that he has this year. And it is for this reason that Mike James is no longer the player that he once was. The worst part about it is that James is 31 years old, and should be expected to see some wear and tear and all around physical deterioration in upcoming years. It is expected that James will ask for something within the range of a five or six year deal worth anywhere near 25-30 million. A deal very similar to Rafer Alston’s deal a couple years ago. When taking into consideration the Raptors newfound salary cap space, they probably won’t look to fill it up with this aging point guard. With the Raptors turning a new leaf, and looking on a true pass first point guard to lead the team, Mike James should not be the answer.
So if the Raptors don’t resign Mike James, then what are they to do with the vacancy at the point guard position? The draft is not the answer. This year’s class of point guards will be led by guys like Kyle Lowry, Daniel Gibson, and Rajon Rondo. None of those players are the traditional type of point guard that the team needs, but are rather combo guard with an affinity to score more so than create for others. Jose Calderon is not prepared to take over the starting role. His inability to hit the open three and lack of any sort of comprehension to defend in the NBA should keep him in a backup position. Then there is always the hope that Roko Ukic will decide to make the leap to the NBA. But with the team hoping to make a quick splash into legitimacy to being the season, the last thing that they would like is to have another European point guard in his first year in the starting lineup. It appears as though if Mike James is not in the Raptors lineup next year, the team is going to have to acquire another point guard via a trade. One option could be to make a move for Earl Watson, an experience, defensive minded point guard. However, the market for point guards at the moment is very scarce and despite James’ shortcomings, he could be better than anything on the market.
Mike James’ performance this season both hurt and helped his ploy for max dollars in the off-season. He was able to show the league that he could score and drop threes with the best of them; and at the same time, showed that he too is one of many players driven by money and not wins. Scoring qualities are abundant in the NBA, but the unselfish leader that the Raptors covet, and once believed James’ to be, is a rarity. It will not be in the Raptors best interest this summer to re-sign Mike James for the money that he is expected to demand. The most difficult task for Bryan Colangelo in the off-season won’t be to say no to Mike James, but to find his replacement.
Comments? adamjepstein@gmail.com |
