Bucks to Sign James?

Discussion in 'Milwaukee Bucks' started by gmanspack, Jul 29, 2004.

  1. gmanspack

    gmanspack JBB JustBBall Member

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    After losing free-agent center Etan Thomas on Wednesday, Milwaukee Bucks general manager Larry Harris quickly shifted his focus to the team's needs at point guard.

    According to league sources, the player the Bucks have pinpointed is Detroit's Mike James, who could sign a multiyear contract with Milwaukee as early as Friday.

    "I think people (other players) were willing to wait and see what Etan was going to do. As it got closer and closer today, they felt like Etan was going to stay (in Washington)."

    That opened the door for the 6-foot-2, 188-pound James, who played a key reserve role as the Pistons marched to the National Basketball Association title this year.

    The former Duquesne player, who was not drafted, started his pro career in Europe before joining the Miami Heat for the 2001-'02 season.

    James averaged 9.3 points, 4.2 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 81 games with the Boston Celtics and Pistons in 2003-'04.

    If the Bucks add James, they will not bring back point guard Damon Jones, an unrestricted free agent who has generated interest from Miami and several other teams

    The Bucks are not able to sign James until Thomas passes a physical exam, probably in the next few days, and officially is back in the Wizards' fold.

    It is expected that James will fill a portion but not all of the Bucks' $5.1 million mid-level exception, giving Harris the flexibility to sign several other players.


    http://www.jsonline.com/sports/buck/jul04/247033.asp
     
  2. bangofan13

    bangofan13 JBB JustBBall Member

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    So i take it James is an Unresticated FA? Theres been so many different opinions on where James will end up. I always thought James would end up here, and this sounds good.
     
  3. bbwTwinTowers

    bbwTwinTowers BBW Member

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    I would much rather want Damon Jones on our squad then James.
     
  4. bbwAce

    bbwAce BBW Member

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    Wow I was 100% sure James would end up as a Rocket but I guess this improves our chances of getting Damon...
     
  5. bangofan13

    bangofan13 JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting TwinTowers:</div><div class="quote_post">I would much rather want Damon Jones on our squad then James.</div>
    Why Jones is 1 year younger so theres no prob there. He averaged less points less reb and about 1 more assist then James. James didnt start half the season like Jones do the injury. So i dont agree with that.
     
  6. Trip

    Trip 2000000000000000000000000

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting bangofan13:</div><div class="quote_post">Why Jones is 1 year younger so theres no prob there. He averaged less points less reb and about 1 more assist then James. James didnt start half the season like Jones do the injury. So i dont agree with that.</div>
    Actually, James was the starter for the Celtics at the point guard spot for like 45 games, so he has had more playing time. I'm not too optimistic about James going to Milwaukee though. He has said he wants to start and it is pretty obvious that TJ Ford would start whenever he's healthy.
     
  7. Ball Hog

    Ball Hog JBB JustBBall Member

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    I don't follow the Bucks much, but they have Ford. Do they need a back-up PG.
     
  8. gmanspack

    gmanspack JBB JustBBall Member

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    Yes they do, Maybe James plays defense what which would be a new concept to Damon Jones.
     
  9. Ball Hog

    Ball Hog JBB JustBBall Member

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    Yeah. James is a better fit than Jones IMO
     
  10. bbwTwinTowers

    bbwTwinTowers BBW Member

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    But the 03-04 season was Damon Jones first season when actually played some minutes and he had a pretty good impact.
     
  11. bangofan13

    bangofan13 JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">Actually, James was the starter for the Celtics at the point guard spot for like 45 games, so he has had more playing time. I'm not too optimistic about James going to Milwaukee though. He has said he wants to start and it is pretty obvious that TJ Ford would start whenever he's healthy.</div>
    OOOOOOOOOPs sorry I thought that he was at Boston and was a backup anyways skip that part of my comment and it makes sense. Thats good though cause he started cause he earned and not cause someone was injured( i think )
     
  12. bbwAce

    bbwAce BBW Member

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    its pretty much a done deal...James is in, Jones is out....
    ====================================
    James in, Jones out of Bucks' game plan
    By Gery Woelfel

    While Mike James will officially be in the Milwaukee Bucks' fold soon, Damon Jones will officially be leaving it shortly.

    The Bucks have reached a verbal agreement with James, who was a backup guard on the champion Detroit Pistons, and should have him under contract as soon as today.

    "Right now, it's just a technicality of having Etan Thomas pass his physical,'' Bucks general manger Larry Harris said Thursday. "Once he does that, we can move forward.'' Thomas, a power forward-center for the Washington Wizards, signed a six-year, $37 million offer sheet with the Bucks on July 14. The Wizards matched the offer Wednesday to retain his services.

    Because of a collective bargaining agreement stipulation, Thomas is still technically the property of the Bucks - until he passes his physical. When he does, the Bucks will be allowed to use money they had offered Thomas for James.




    James, 29, played in 81 regular-season games last season with Boston and Detroit. He averaged 9.3 points and 4.2 assists in 27.1 minutes a game.

    The 6-foot-2 James was courted throughout free agency by nearly a dozen teams. He narrowed his final list to Houston, Seattle, Miami and Milwaukee.

    "I like his game,'' Cleveland Cavaliers coach Paul Silas said of James. "He can push it up the court, and he's a very good long-range shooter. I think he's just exploring his game, just scratching the surface.

    "He's athletic enough and has the talent to be a very good point guard. I like him a lot.'' While Jones came off the bench for the Pistons, he may wind up starting for the Bucks, especially with T.J. Ford's status uncertain. Ford underwent cervical spine surgery after last season. There are concerns Ford won't be fully recovered for the start of the 2004-2005 regular season.

    Jones, who moved into the starting lineup and played admirably after Ford was injured, confirmed he won't be returning to the Bucks. Jones was one of only three Bucks - the others were Desmond Mason and Michael Redd - to play in all 82 regular-season games last season.

    Jones averaged only seven points a game, but had an outstanding 4.64 turnover-to-assist ratio. The only player in the NBA to have a better ratio was Antonio Daniels of the Seattle SuperSonics at 4.89.

    Jones may end up in Seattle. Sonics officials have talked to some teams about Jones as a player and person and are strongly considering him to replace Brent Barry, who has signed with San Antonio.

    Neither Jones nor his agent, Mark Termini, would acknowledge Seattle is the front-runner to sign the player. Nor did they reveal what other teams are pursuing Jones, although it's widely known Houston, Miami and New Jersey are interested in him.

    Jones said he was saddened about leaving the Bucks.

    "I'm going to miss those guys,'' Jones said. "Desmond, Michael Redd, Joe Smith, they all took a liking to me and helped me to become such a commodity in free agency.

    "I sincerely wish those guys the best. There are a lot of great guys on that team.'' Jones said it became apparent he wouldn't be back with the Bucks when they decided to expend most of their money on Thomas and other teams began extending him serious offers and the opportunity to start.

    Jones said he was pleased James would be afforded a chance to showcase his abilities and make substantially more money.

    "I'm happy for him because he's been on a long journey, kind of like me,'' Jones said. "I'm happy he's finally getting a chance to get some security.'' Once the Bucks sign James, they are expected to re-sign veteran forward Toni Kukoc. Harris and Herb Rudoy, Kukoc's agent, have stayed in touch throughout free agency and appear to be on the same page.

    Kukoc has drawn interest from several teams, including San Antonio, Sacramento and the Los Angeles Lakers.

    With their remaining money, the Bucks are expected to sign two more free agents to minimum-wage contracts. One is likely to be a veteran frontcourt player to complement the Bucks two young centers - Dan Gadzuric and Dan Santiago - and the other free agent will likely be a young guard, although the Bucks haven't completely ruled out re-signing veteran guard Brevin Knight.
    ========================================
     

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