Mike James talks to HoopsHype, doesn't have nice things to say about Flip Saunders
None of the stuff in this interview surprises me, because he's conveyed stuff like this to me and others several times this year, but a very good read nonetheless.
UPDATE: James has responded harshly on his Twitter account in two tweets, saying this:
Please don't make an untruthful story hoopshype. 1st some1 gave the story my house help speak better English than. I hate no1 never saidhate
I have no beef with no1. I hold nothin against flip or any1. Everything in life has plan and purpose there's reason in everything no illwill
It was a straight interview, so in this case, I don't see how James has anyone to blame but himself for his words. Maybe HoopsHype's reporter didn't bring a recorder? Otherwise, I don't get James' beef.
almost 2 years ago
Mike Prada
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Well damn
I didn’t know he could still dunk. Hurry, lets sign him back.
Seriously, does he REALLY think that he didn’t play because Saunders didn’t like him? I don’t see it. In fact, I don’t remember anyone thinking that James was gonna get any real PT this year. In fact, I’m pretty sure most of us figured he’d be the first person traded. (Before all the “drama” ensued, that is)
come on seriously?
if guys like Deshawn and Fab can play, why wasn’t James allowed to play? i mean he says he was in shape and he could obviously still score.
6 for 20 From the Field
And a .383 true shooting percentage with a 27.9 usage rate. Again, you could argue that was caused by the few minutes he was given, but I also think shooting a lot hurt Mike James’s cause.
"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier
I Don't Think Flip Didn't Like Mike James Personally
But I can see why Mike might feel that way. In his perspective he trained hard, kept his weight down, and brought energy every time he played. He didn’t shoot well, but I can see how he might think that would have changed had he gotten more opportunities. I just don’t think that Flip ever had Mike James in his plans. It was a crowded back court this season, and even when things went south I don’t think Flip ever thought that Mike James would be the answer. I somehow doubt that even Flip’s detractors will say that the reason the Wizards lost so much was because he didn’t play Mike James more.
"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier
I agree with this...
but I can see how James found it pretty galling when Flip kept giving serious PT to Boykins and no burn at all to him. I don’t have the stats in front of me, but my guess is that there is not a dime’s worth of difference between the two men over their NBA careers.
I am not sure where James is going to catch on at this point but I would think Orlando, Miami and OKC have to at least give him a look… all of them are in need of backcourt backup.
career yes, recently no
For their careers, they really are very similar. More than I would have guessed.
But, comparing Boykins this year with James last year (counting this year’s James stats hardly seems fair), it isn’t even close. I’m no Boykins apologist, but wow.
Yes agree...
Earl this year outstats Mike last year… but my point is that the difference between the two overall is in mostly the eye of the beholder. Plus, if you look at the world from Mike’s obviously biased position, he is arguing that he was in better phsyical shape and ready to play better ball this year than last, and that Flip never gave him credit for this effort or a chance to prove himself.
Someone else might, and then we shall see if Mike’s self-analysis bears out.
I will confess a soft spot for James because I picked up off the waiver wire for my fantasy team when he was with the Raptors and he was for that one brief stretch a serious stat machine.
I will confess also that I have always gotten a kick out of Earl, especially when he would come in and just wreck the Wizards with his unorthodox game.
Side Show
Flip and little people.Say what you wanna if flip don’t like you you want play. There’s no way little people should’ve played before james.
straight talk
by Mae.jude@yahoo.com on Mar 5, 2010 11:23 AM EST reply actions
Nick Young
should have probably played back up pg before either Boykins or James, IMO
shine like bald head, smoke trees call me log head
Nick Young and PG in the same sentence....
Did I just read that?
For a religious man
Mike James certainly complains a lot and refuses to put any blame on himself. I find that kind of repulsive.
Just listened to that
So, he talks about how he kept his weight down; he “trained hard”; he “practiced well”; and he’s been a “double-digit scorer” over the span of his career. You know, I could keep in shape and train and practice with full commitment. That wouldn’t grant me the privilege of playing in the NBA, even for a team that’s falling apart. Also, you don’t get to play on the court as a result of a lifetime achievement award earned through averaging 10.5 points per game in your career. You don’t earn a spot on the hardwood by scoring five years ago. This is almost as sad as Rock Cartwright (whom I love) deluding himself into thinking he should be a starting RB in the NFL.
TRUE
every thing mike said about flip is true [he didn’t like mike]. the truth is in little people.
straight talk
by Mae.jude@yahoo.com on Mar 5, 2010 5:24 PM EST reply actions
I like his first tweet
He’s complaining about people not speaking English well while creating a sentence that stumbles along trying to figure out what its subject is. And I just love the unnecessary racism of taking a shot at your “house help” for not speaking English.
Rather have had him as the back-up PG....
…than Earl Boykins. I do think some of Flip’s rotations early on in the season cost us some games.
Am I the only one who saw this
“I’m a great locker room guy, I’m a veteran. I’ve been in this league for over nine years and I’m a double-figure scorer for my NBA career. I hadn’t gained any weight.”
and thought that Mike James doesn’t get it? What does being a veteran have to do with deserving playing time? Or being a double-figure scorer (especially if it came on terrible shots)? Or being in good shape?
Ridiculous Upside, where developing talent and winning are not mutually exclusive.
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