<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The NBA's top remaining free-agent point guard should be off the market soon. Mike James is expected to announce his next team Tuesday after meeting face-to-face Monday in Las Vegas with Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson. James then returned to his offseason home in Houston to choose between the Mavericks, Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves, all of whom have been negotiating with James during the Vegas Summer League. It's believed that each of those teams is offering the 31-year-old a three-year deal starting at the $5 million mid-level exception. The front-runner? Judging by James' comments over the weekend in Los Angeles at a charity basketball game hosted by Baron Davis and Paul Pierce, it's the Mavericks. And that's largely because of the former pass-first point guard chasing the shoot-first point guard who's coming off a breakout season in Toronto. "The biggest 'wow' in this whole situation has been Avery Johnson," James says. "I respect him as a coach, but we have a relationship beyond the court. We've been friends for some years now. I've always respected Avery, even as a player when he had that broke jump shot. But he has a ring and he knows what it takes to win. He's been the person who has wowed me the most through this process." James added that potential suitors must meet two requirements. Championship contention is No. 1. "These three teams want to win," James said. "Kevin Garnett tells me he doesn't want the playoffs, he wants to win the championship. Houston wants to get back to that point, and they've already got two superstars. "Dallas was two games away," James continued, noting that the Mavs are closest to meeting the first prerequisite. "That's a very important factor for me." No. 2? "I want a team that wants to win, but also believes that I'm a significant piece," James said. "It's about trust. That's one of the main things I'm focused on. Do you really believe in me? "These teams tell me they do. For them to say, 'Mike James, you're a significant piece,' that humbles me. With all the stuff I've been through -- everyone telling me I can't, can't, can't -- I'm humbled that these three teams believe in me." While he stops short of requiring a spot in the starting lineup, James isn't shy about his belief that he should remain a starter. "I was top 20 in every category besides rebounding, blocked shots and steals," James said. "There's over 400 players in the NBA, so I think I've proven what I'm capable of. All I can do is continue to work and erase all the critics minds." And according to James, the critics have been hard at work, hounding him throughout his career. Following a stellar college career at Duquesne, James went undrafted before eventually singing with the Heat as a free agent in 2001. Over the next four seasons, James bounced between Boston, Detroit, Milwaukee, and Houston, respectively, before the Rockets dealt him Toronto on the first day of training camp last October. James went on to establish new career bests in minutes per game (37.0), assists (5.8), rebounds (3.3) and points (20.3). He became just the second undrafted player in NBA history, after John Starks, to average 20 points in a season. While some might credit the jump in production to contract-year motivation, James says it was a product of increased playing time, a lifetime of hard work and a love for the game that saved him. "If it wasn't for the game of basketball, I know what I would have done, and it wouldn't have been nice," he said, referring to his rough childhood in Amityville, N.Y. "The only other thing I knew was the streets. Basketball was my way out, so the only thing I can do to give back to the game is play with my heart." While James continues to ponder a decision that will alter the course of his career, he already knows where he'll be when that decision is announced. He dreams of a press conference. "I never had the chance to wear that hat on the podium in front of the media," James said. "I told my wife, I'm going to the podium because I've never done that before. For me to just do that once, I'm awed by it. I'm thankful." Article</div> That article makes me feel a little better, Avery must have got through him, but it's not a guarantee with his agent Bill Duffy(screwed the Mavs twice before). So I will just wait til tonight for the answer.
Thanx, I was flipping to ESPNEWS like crazy yesterday trying to figure it out and on the net looking for rumors.
Thanx, I was flipping to ESPNEWS like crazy yesterday trying to figure it out and on the net looking for rumors.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Justice @ Jul 11 2006, 11:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>"I've always respected Avery, even as a player when he had that broke jump shot." what a dumbass</div>LOL... i dunno what the hell he ment when he said that, mabye he was being sarcastic lol
reading it.. i don't even know if he's real or fake. earlier in the year he said he wanted houston. he wanted to "come home." what the hell. now he's all like. the mavericks rule. i mean i guess it's the next best thing being close to houston and all. but still. he needs to just tell us what the hell he's going to do.
Mike James... is Mike James. I have no clue what he's going to do, and I don't think he does either.And by the way, regularguy, I've been watching your avatar for about 10 minutes now. :shifty2:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bowles @ Jul 11 2006, 12:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>And by the way, regularguy, I've been watching your avatar for about 10 minutes now. :shifty2:</div># When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.# Chuck Norris doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.# There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.# Outer space exists because it's afraid to be on the same planet with Chuck Norris.# Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.# Chuck Norris is currently suing NBC, claiming Law and Order are trademarked names for his left and right legs.# Chuck Norris is the reason why Waldo is hiding.# Chuck Norris counted to infinity - twice.# There is no chin behind Chuck Norris? beard. There is only another fist.# When Chuck Norris does a pushup, he isn?t lifting himself up, he?s pushing the Earth down.# Chuck Norris is so fast, he can run around the world and punch himself in the back of the head.# Chuck Norris? hand is the only hand that can beat a Royal Flush.# There is no such thing as global warming. Chuck Norris was cold, so he turned the sun up.# Chuck Norris can lead a horse to water AND make it drink.# Chuck Norris doesn?t wear a watch, HE decides what time it is.# Chuck Norris gave Mona Lisa that smile.# Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door.# Chuck Norris does not get frostbite. Chuck Norris bites frost# Remember the Soviet Union? They decided to quit after watching a DeltaForce marathon on Satellite TV.# Contrary to popular belief, America is not a democracy, it is a Chucktatorship.
Good. Glad he didn't come to Houston and I don't think he would've been a good fit in Dallas. At least as a starter.
Well as much as you like that he didn't come, we now officially wasted our time with him. According to GAC, our backup plan is Chucky Atkins, and Keith Van Horn may be used in a sign and trade according to Cuban. I don't know about you, but I rather just bring in Mike James, then someone like Atkins. Whether you like it or not, we need to bring in another pg, Harris/Terry start, and there's the possibility of injury. Darrell Armstrong is not someone you want to rely on for that.
I think Dallas would user Ager as the backup point guard before they use a broken down Darrell Armstrong.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>I think Dallas would user Ager as the backup point guard before they use a broken down Darrell Armstrong.</div> Um, I'm pretty sure "Avery" would not play a rookie that is not a pg before a veteran he's not afraid to put in the game. But your comment shows how much we need some pg.
Dallas also needs a shooting guard. Either one will work. Harris doesn't need to start. He works well as a spark off the bench.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Dallas also needs a shooting guard. Either one will work. Harris doesn't need to start. He works well as a spark off the bench.</div> Harris will need to start sooner or later, or he's a bust. Why not now, also I see the need for a sg, but not as bad as pg. I hear Greg Buckner, Chucky Atkins as possibilities now, I can't really decide who I like. Would be nice to see Buckner back though.
I just don't think there is a real need for a 3rd string point guard. It is a luxury rather than a need. PG Harris/Terry/AgerSG Terry/Stackhouse/Ager
Why the hell would we have Ager as a PG? One of his main weaknesses is handling the ball and creating his own shot.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>I just don't think there is a real need for a 3rd string point guard. It is a luxury rather than a need. PG Harris/Terry/AgerSG Terry/Stackhouse/Ager</div> Why did you put Ager at pg, he's not going to work there. And your plugging in Terry to play behind Harris but he's starting. Are you telling me Terry is going to playing over 40 minutes next season? Also, your not accounting injuries, especially when Harris has not shown any consistency in that department. And it's not a need for a third string, it's a need for a backup. Why your overlooking that boggles my mind, especially when we have enough at the swing positions.
