Do you guys think that KG and Mike James will work well together? Are their attitudes going to match up right, or do you think they will clash a lot? What are your guys' thoughts?
I think those two will likely get along. KG doesn't mind deferring, which is a good thing with James around. However, if James gets an inflated ego and forgets who the leader and best player on that team is, they could have issues. At the end of the day, I'd be more worried about Ricky and Mike getting along, seeing as how they each love to shoot, and couple that with KG needing to get his shots for them to win, there might not be enough basketballs to go around. All I know is, they better remember who's team this is, cause if KG doesn't get the ball, Minny doesn't win. Simple as that.
I think if the TWolves do well during the first couple of months and are winning, there shouldn't be any problems. If they start losing and KG or Mike James don't get enough touches I can see there be some head-butting. I don't think either player wants a reduced role or reduced scoring.
We know KG takes losing hard. He's a fierce competitor and if the team continues to struggle, I can foresee some problems. Team success is not as a big a priority for Mike James as you would like. The Raptors had a horrible season last year, but the only times James really got frustrated/upset was when he recieved criticism for the team's play. His gets motivated off of the inferiority complex he has and he is set on proving critics wrong. The problem that'll potentially arise is if KG starts challenging his own teammates during a prolonged losing streak (as any leader should). Last year, Bosh was pretty patient with James, but a single comment at the end of the season about the need for a pass-first PG got James riled up and aggravated. In terms of gamestyle, I think they can be successful. Mike James is an awesome shooter and defenses will have no choice but to respect his shot and give KG a little more space. It's the way their personalities mesh, that should be a bigger concern.
I doubt that these two will have a problem. Mike James is one of the hardest working players in the league. KG respects players who are dedicated to improving themselves. Mike James can get a little shot happy but at the end of the day I think that even he recognizes that he is not a first option w/ KG on his team. I don't think many of the other players on this team are going to be big Mike James fans but I imagine that KG and Mike James will form an alliance that is predicated on hard work, respect for the game, and a genuine desire to win. The question is whether or not Duane Casey is going to accept a Mike James who is unwilling to defer to anyone else besides KG?
<div class="quote_poster">Iron Shiek Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I doubt that these two will have a problem. Mike James is one of the hardest working players in the league. KG respects players who are dedicated to improving themselves. Mike James can get a little shot happy but at the end of the day I think that even he recognizes that he is not a first option w/ KG on his team. I don't think many of the other players on this team are going to be big Mike James fans but I imagine that KG and Mike James will form an alliance that is predicated on hard work, respect for the game, and a genuine desire to win. The question is whether or not Duane Casey is going to accept a Mike James who is unwilling to defer to anyone else besides KG?</div> Good point about Casey, but I think if KG is happy, Casey (an inexperienced coach) will difer to him. Last year he appeared to be very stubborn to stick to HIS gameplan, but if there is success, things should be fine with MJ and Casey. As for what Moo said about Ricky Davis and Mike James not working well. I could actually see RD coming off the bench again this year if Foye plays well because Casey loves defense, so Hassell should have his starting role secure. RD showed in my eyes anyway, that he didnt really want to shoot all that much last year (as a twolf) but no one else was there to shoot besides KG. I think he wont be a problem because i think he really respects KG, and will have no problem especially if he is coming off the bench.
Personally, I don't understand why you'd have your second best player coming off the bench in favor of an undersized rookie SG. That doesn't make sense. I think RD starts the year, and if anything, Hassell gets the bench and RD shifts to SF to make room for Foye at the two. But, most likely, Foye will be the 6th man most of the year and the backcourt will be James/Davis/Hassell.
I see Foye starting the year on the bench with James, Ricky and Hassell starting, which is a fairly good line. If Foye really catches on quick he can make his way into the starting lineup, but all four should get good minutes regardless of who starts. If Foye starts I actually see Ricky moving to the bench. Hassell is a very good perimeter defender and an underrated shooter (supposedly he has been draining 3s in training camp so far). I guess all that can be done is keep the fingers crossed and hope that these guys can work together.
Whoa, you think Mike James is going to be on the bench to begin the season? If I read that correctly, that's what it sounds like, and there's no way James is being benched to start the year. He came over to fill a void at PG and he'll be starting because of that.
No you did not read that correctly. What I meant was that at the start of the season I see Foye on the bench and James, Ricky D and Hassell as the starting 1-2-3.
The only thing about James is his huge ego. Last year, he basically thought that there was no one on the Raptors team that was capable of making game winning shots so he took them all himself. He is a little too trigger happy sometimes but I doubt Garnett will let him get out of line like he was allowed to do here in Toronto. Overall, I don't see it being much of a problem as long as he doesn't have free reign to do whatever he wants. He's basically like a little kid in that he needs structure and discipline.
Watching Mike James last season, I started to wonder why he wasn't able to put up these type of numbers before. He's a real good offensive player. He can drive hard to hole and finish, execute the pick and roll perfectly (which will work well with KG) and of course. He's really determined when he wants to goto the basket. I didn't see the great defense people were raving about when he came to TO last season, but he isn't bad either. Mike's downfall can be his selfishness or he gets too big headed during the game. He likes to take the big shot (he'll make his share) and would rather make the shot (jack it up) than go to the hole in the clutch because he loves the feeling you get from hitting that big shot. He'll take those shots in the clutch where if he makes it you'll be like "yess!! I love Mike James!" but if he misses.."Ughh, why did he jack it up, he should of drove to the basket".
James won't be the Cassell type of player to KG, but they will contribute together and I think they will both work it out. Who knows? He probably took that comment from Bosh and used it to help him. He might become a first-pass pg next season. You never know.
<div class="quote_poster">Moo2K4 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Personally, I don't understand why you'd have your second best player coming off the bench in favor of an undersized rookie SG. That doesn't make sense. I think RD starts the year, and if anything, Hassell gets the bench and RD shifts to SF to make room for Foye at the two. But, most likely, Foye will be the 6th man most of the year and the backcourt will be James/Davis/Hassell.</div> RD would be the type of guy to take on that role peacefully, and Hassell would be much more effective as a starter because of his defense. Also I think that having a RD caliber playing off the bench is a HUGE advantage to us. We can still give him heavy minutes, but the only difference is that he would be able to tear up opposing teams second units, while Hassell can defend their first units.
