NBA: Little things worth appreciating for league’s strugglers
By Jacob Doole
Phoenix Suns (5-10): The story and success of Mike James
The fact that Mike James has even made it to the NBA is surprising.
That he’s started multiple games for the Phoenix Suns, and been a standout in a few, is downright amazing.
The 27-year-old rookie is averaging 11.9 points and 3.7 assists through his first 15 games. The numbers aren’t eye-popping, but some context is needed to fully appreciate them.
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Growing up and playing high school basketball in Portland, Oregon, James was only recruited by Division III schools in the local area. Searching for a scholarship offer to play in college, James says he found one more through luck than anything, according to Sporting News:
"“I went to an open gym with my best friend in high school who was going to Eastern Arizona. And his coach ended up being there. After we finished up playing, the coach offered me a scholarship. So I said yes.”"
Even with that stroke of good fortune, James didn’t appear to be on track for professional basketball. Eastern Arizona is a junior college, a far cry from the Division I schools where most prospects are found.
Still, he dominated that level, was a top 20 JUCO player in the country, and after two years was offered a scholarship to Division I Lamar University.
He then led Lamar to their first NCAA tournament appearance in over a decade, and was named to the All-Southland Conference team and conference tournament MVP.
Like many superstars at low-major schools, he drew little to no NBA attention, and embarked on a five-year European career that quickly became an odyssey.
James played for six different teams across Croatia, Greece, Spain, Italy and Israel. A successful 2016/17 season saw him win the Greek League and Greek Cup with Panathinaikos, as he averaged 12.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists.
Again, not eye-popping numbers. But he did win the Most Spectacular Player award, and his flashy style of play was enough to get the attention of the Phoenix brass.
Finally, after a basketball journey up there with the longest and strangest you’ll see, he’s in the NBA.
Now on a two-way contract with the Suns, he’s entrenched himself in their rotation and clearly made a terrible team better.
The Phoenix Suns are outscored by opponents by 2.9 points per 100 possessions when Mike James is on the floor. They're outscored by 13.4 points per 100 possessions when he's on the bench. pic.twitter.com/FAOlrfyQCc
— Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey) November 12, 2017
Five games into his NBA career he was their starting point guard. Seven games in, and he’d dropped 24 points and five steals on Brooklyn.
He plays with the confidence and swag of a ten-year veteran; probably because, despite being an NBA rookie, he’s not far off his 10th season.
Mike James 💧 pic.twitter.com/34gkMHtD2R
— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) November 12, 2017
And perhaps most importantly for Suns fans searching for fun in a depressing season, he’s a goldmine of memorable moments.
He’s hates water, saying that “if it doesn’t taste good, it’s not good for you.”
When Lamar’s head coach invited him to the campus for a visit, he said “coach, I’ll see the campus when I get there” and signed immediately.
And now it’s been reported that James is no longer starting because he threw a ball at teammate Dragan Bender.
Suns fans; enjoy James’ story, enjoy his play, and enjoy his antics. And try to ignore the losses that follow.