Colangelo Careful About Comments Regarding James
14th April, 2006 - 1:58 pm

The Globe and Mail - The Mike James free agency is getting increasingly interesting as a source close to the club has expressed concerns about the guard, but Bryan Colangelo is being careful about his own comments.

"He scares the stuffing out of me right now," a source with close ties to the Raptors said of James. "Everything that comes out of his mouth lately, it's all about him. All he seems to be concerned about is his stats. You can say all you want. But on a team that's won 20-something games, one of the worst records in the league, it's a bit much to keep trying to pass yourself off as a saviour."

Colangelo has adopted a careful strategy when discussing James.

"We've talked a lot about Mike," Colangelo said. "I'm not going to talk any more about the circumstances, only to say Mike has been a very valuable piece this year. He's done great things for the organization and we'll see if we can work it out where we can keep him." [READ]

I heard him during an interview on Raptors NBAtv, which I get up here near Toronto. He was asked what his main goal was for next season.

What was it, you ask? Was it to lead the Raptors to the playoffs? To help his team win games? To play as hard as he can?

Nope! It was "to be in the top 5 in scoring and assists"

That said all I needed to know.

[Edited by - Bonn1997 on 04-14-2006 4:01 PM]

Actually if history holds true you can add if to the list

MIKe JAmes?? MIke JAmes???

GUys c'mon, you fooling me , right??? forget the dude!!!

Reason why he's playing like he's from another planet is because it's his contract yr and i wouldn't be too fond having a 30 yr old journeyman running the point for the Knicks.. No No NO!!!

Posted by Bonn1997:

I don't think anyone was saying we need him.

some of the stupid writers think he's a viable option with the knicks. ..



[Edited by - WOODMANnYk on 04-15-2006 2:02 PM]

Posted by Allanfan20:

I'm sorry man, but I like the guy. He may have said something stupid, but nothing like Marbury or Francis, and this was the first reported incident anyway. I'll take him. Winning ball player on a bad team (Yet rising)

Aren't those the guys you are suppose to stay away from ala Marbury, Crawfords.

James Doesn't Want To Get Locked Up Long-Term
16th April, 2006 - 3:54 am
Toronto Star - Mike James has a new strategy as he approaches free agency.

"If I sign for less years I'll probably ask for more money," James said after Raptor practice yesterday. "That's probably the way I'll go for the remainder of my career: Sign three-year deals with a player option on my third for the simple fact that I don't want to lock myself into nothing long-term.

"I believe I'm always going to get better and I don't want to lock myself into a deal that I outplay maybe a year or two from now.

I believe I'm always going to get better and I don't want to lock myself into a deal that I outplay maybe a year or two from now.

He's been talking all year about how important being paid dollars comparable to his performance is. I hear it because I live near Toronto. He plays his heart out on the court but I can't help wondering if he's doing it just for the money.

I don't wanna start a new thread on this guy but Rashard Lewis has been sayign the same things.

The Seattle Times - In the past, Rashard Lewis has sometimes avoided answering whether he intends to become a free agent in 2007. When asked a few days ago, he said: "I think so. If I'm still playing like I'm playing, then that's the plan."

Lewis said he's open to negotiating a contract extension this summer.

In a revealing interview two months ago in Miami, he said, "To have a successful team, a championship-caliber team, you have to spend money. You can't keep [getting] young guys. We've been a young team ever since I've been on the Sonics. And hopefully if they do sell the team, then we'll have an owner that's going to be able to do that for us.

"The type of contract that I'm looking for — I feel like this is my last really big deal — I don't know if they'll be willing to pay that."

To keep Lewis would cost about $25 million. The Sonics can offer him a 10.5 percent raise on the $10.9 million salary he's due next season as well as a two-year extension that would keep him in Seattle until 2011.

Those are some ****y statements from a guy that has yet to win or prove anything as a NBA player. Rashard still has the soft label on him and has done alot to prove it especially in the playoffs last year.

I just don't get these guys.....I Guess if you were treated like royalty all your life then get a kings ranson in your teens to early 20's that would do that for you. These guys sound like spoiled brats.