Over the course of an NBA career that has spanned 12 years and 11 different teams, it’s safe to say Mike James has seen it all. This season, in addition to backing up Derrick Rose in Chicago, James brings that veteran’s perspective to sportsnet.ca, covering topics around the Association in his new weekly column, James World.
In the debut installment, fresh off the first-ever NBA game in Brazil, James answers a few questions to catch us up on a busy summer, the Bulls’ chances in 2013–14 and Rose’s place alongside the greatest of all time.
Q: What was the hardest part of landing a spot on the Bulls’ roster this summer?
A: The hard thing, for me, is always how I’m judged: based on my age rather than my basketball skills. I’ve been old the last six years of my career! Every year it’s “oh, he’s too old,” and then I prove myself. Then the next season comes and they say, “Well, now he’s definitely too old this year.”
I was talking to a few teams this summer. I didn’t have much dialogue with Chicago, but I have a pretty good relationship with Tom Thibodeau—he’s always been in my corner. When I played in Houston, Tom was an assistant coach under Jeff Van Gundy. I’d be in his office every single day, either trying to get him to work me out, or just talking to him — and also complaining about Jeff! So, we go back.
If anyone knows whether my game has fallen off, it’s probably him. He saw what I accomplished last season with the Mavericks and realized I’m the same player I was seven years ago. Because of all the time in the gym, all the repetition, I know I’m prepared. In my career, I’ve never trusted my skill. I trust my work.
Q: There’s a community event in your hometown of Amityville, N.Y., every year that you play a pretty central role in. Can you tell us about it?
A: Not too many people have success stories coming from my neighbourhood. Winning an NBA championship and what I’ve been able to overcome — not just as a basketball player, but as a person — to make a name for myself in this game, my neighbourhood gave me my own day in the community: It’s Mike James Day.
People in my neighbourhood appreciate me; I’m a superstar to them. And I appreciate them for making me feel that way when I come home. So I give the day back to the neighbourhood. We have rides for the kids, concerts and there’s a basketball tournament. Next year will be the 10th anniversary.
The courts we play on are now the Mike James Courts, too. I remember as a kid I used to say to myself: “These courts are going to be named after me one day.” Matter of fact, I said the whole park was going to be named after me, but the family the park was already named for put up a pretty big fight on that one! So I said, “You know what? I’ll take the basketball courts.”
Those courts are where I grew up. When it was raining outside, I was playing. When it was snowing, I’d shovel the snow off the ground just enough so I’d have room to play. When all my friends were out doing the wrong things, I’d console myself on the basketball court. That’s where I honed all my skills — and now it’s named after me.
Q: When you were in Brazil, what’d you think when Nene was booed by his hometown fans for not playing with the Brazilian national team this summer?
A: It’s a real thin line between the fans and the players. We understand that fans make a player’s career successful; without the fans you can’t be a player. But fans have to remember that they can’t be selfish with the players. You’re going through a tough season, your body is broken down and then the national team says, “It’s time to play.” Nene was playing through injuries all of last season, so the summer is the time for rehabilitation and to get himself prepared for the 2013–14 season.
Q: How’s Derrick Rose looking in practices and games so far?
A: It’s smart that he sat out last year. It’s now the 2013–14 season, and he was able to get that much more rest instead of forcing his way back and not knowing if he was 100 percent. Watching him now, this is absolutely the Derrick Rose I knew and saw before the knee injury.
The one thing I’ve learned about D-Rose is he’s almost like a smaller version of Michael Jordan. Hear me out.
I say that because Michael wasn’t necessarily all that pretty playing on the ground. He was more graceful when he was in the air. Derrick Rose reminds me of that. He doesn’t have the best ball-handling skills, but he’s so explosive and when he’s in the air, it’s like he’s up there longer than everybody else.
He has that ability to look so pretty in the air, but on the ground he doesn’t have a finesse game. Watch him play. Everything is hard and attacking — aggressive.
If he had come back from the injury earlier like the fans and everybody wanted him to, because of the way he wears and tears his body and the pounding he puts on himself, his body may not have been ready. That year has helped him get back maybe even better than he was before the injury.
Q: Are there any surprise early impressions your new teammates have had on you?
A: You never really pay attention to just how strong Carlos Boozer is — he’s one of the strongest power forwards in the NBA. It’s just a natural strength, too, and he’s such a big body. When he hits you you’re going to feel it every single time.
And Joakim Noah is one of the hardest-working centres, and one of the most underrated players, in the NBA. Plus, he runs like a deer. He’s not the most athletic big man, but he’s going to work hard every possession and you have to respect that. Especially coming from your centre.
Q: Any goals for the season?
A: Individually, I’m just trying to help wherever and whenever my team needs me. I’m not going to take away from the team; I’m going to add to it.
The ultimate goal for the team is winning an NBA championship. Anything less than that and the season is a disappointment. That’s our focus going into the 2013–14 season.
Of course, Miami are the kings right now. You have to go through them in order to win a title. Paul George has solidified himself as elite in the NBA now, so you also have to think about the Pacers coming out of the East. And then in the West, you’re always going to have San Antonio right there, Golden State is one of the young guns, and Oklahoma City is always just one injury away — you never know what would’ve happened if Russell Westbrook didn’t get hurt.
Nothing is going to be given to you in this game. Even if you win every regular-season game, that has nothing to do with what happens in the playoffs. It’s all about positioning and who’s healthy and who’s playing at the highest level.
That said, our focus is on winning an NBA championship, and we’re going to try to go 82-0 before we get there. I think those are pretty good goals to have.
Got a question for Mike James? Send it in to asktheinsiders@sportsnet.ca