Mike James
Encyclopedia
Michael Lamont James is an American
professional basketball
player.
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
.
that saw him finish ranked third all-time in steals (201), fifth in assists (348) and 10th in points (1,411) at the school and included being named to the all Atlantic 10 Conference 1st team in his senior year. However, he was not draft
ed.
with the Miami Heat
during the 2001–02 season. He has since played for the Boston Celtics
, the Detroit Pistons
, the Milwaukee Bucks
, Houston Rockets
and the Toronto Raptors
averaging 11.9 points per game for his career. As the starting point guard
for the Raptors during the 2005–06 season, he averaged career highs of 20.3 points, 5.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game and shot 47% from the field including 44.2% from 3-point range which ranked among the league leaders. James is the first undrafted player in the history of the NBA to average at least 20 points a game in a season.
On April 11, 2006, Mike James became the first Toronto Raptor to score 30 or more points in 4 consecutive games.
James was a member of the Pistons' 2004 NBA Championship team as a reserve. He and fellow reserve guard Lindsey Hunter
formed a formidable defensive guard combination nicknamed the "Pit Bulls" by Rasheed Wallace
, because of their aggressive nature on defense.
In spite of his strong play during the 2005–06 season for the Raptors
, he has been criticized as being somewhat of a one-dimensional player. Despite being an above-average shooter from the point guard spot, his playmaking abilities have been called into question at times as well as his commitment to defense, in stark contrast to his "pit bull" days with the Pistons
. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune wrote of his big 2005–06 season: "Previously, James had started only 68 games, so some scouts wondered if those numbers were an aberration. Others felt his impending free agency affected his play, prompting him to seek stats at the expense of play-making duties."
While playing for Toronto in the 2005–06 season, he reached a career high of 39 points in a win against the Detroit Pistons
.
On July 11, 2006, James signed a free agent
contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves for a reported four years, with a player option on the last year, and with a trade kicker clause, which would raise his salary by 15% automatically if he were to be traded. Much of the 2006–07 season was marred by mediocre play, which limited his minutes to 25, down from the 37 he averaged during his career year in Toronto.
On June 14, 2007 it was officially announced that James and teammate Justin Reed
would be traded to the Houston Rockets
for Juwan Howard
.
On February 21, 2008 it was announced that James and teammate Bonzi Wells
would be traded to the New Orleans Hornets for Bobby Jackson, and Adam Haluska
. This ends his second short tenure as a Houston Rocket.
James was traded on December 10, 2008 in a three team trade between the New Orleans Hornets, Memphis Grizzlies
, and Washington Wizards
.
The trade sent James and Javaris Crittenton
to the Wizards and Antonio Daniels
to the Hornets. The Grizzlies received a conditional first round draft pick from the Wizards.
On March 1, 2010, it was announced that the Washington Wizards
had reached a buy-out agreement with James and waived him. James averaged 9.3 points per game during his stint with the Wizards, in which he played 57 games.
In February 2011 he signed with Aliağa Petkim in Turkey
.
| align="left" | 2001–02
| align="left" | Miami
| 15 || 0 || 7.9 || .349 || .381 || .571 || .9 || 1.3 || .4 || .1 || 2.8
|-
| align="left" | 2002–03
| align="left" | Miami
| 78 || 8 || 22.1 || .373 || .294 || .732 || 1.9 || 3.2 || .8 || .1 || 7.8
|-
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | Boston
| 55 || 55 || 30.6 || .418 || .381 || .800 || 3.2 || 4.4 || 1.3 || .0 || 10.7
|-
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | Detroit
| 26 || 0 || 19.7 || .401 || .364 || .844 || 2.2 || 3.7 || 1.0 || .0 || 6.3
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Milwaukee
| 47 || 0 || 24.8 || .446 || .382 || .744 || 2.6 || 3.9 || .9 || .1 || 11.4
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Houston
| 27 || 5 || 25.6 || .433 || .393 || .764 || 3.2 || 2.9 || .9 || .1 || 12.4
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Toronto
| 79 || 79 || 37.0 || .469 || .442 || .837 || 3.3 || 5.8 || .9 || .0 || 20.3
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Minnesota
| 82 || 65 || 25.2 || .422 || .372 || .837 || 2.0 || 3.6 || .7 || .1 || 10.1
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Houston
| 33 || 1 || 16.3 || .350 || .324 || .786 || 1.6 || 1.6 || .5 || .1 || 6.5
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | New Orleans
| 21 || 0 || 8.7 || .344 || .304 || 1.000 || .8 || .3 || .2 || .0 || 2.7
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | New Orleans
| 8 || 0 || 9.3 || .320 || .750 || .500 || .9 || 1.0 || .2 || .0 || 2.5
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Washington
| 53 || 50 || 29.7 || .387 || .367 || .838 || 2.4 || 3.6 || .8 || .1 || 9.6
|-
| align="left" | 2009-10
| align="left" | Washington
| 4 || 0 || 11.5 || .300 || .333 || .500 || .8 || 1.3 || .8 || .0 || 4.5
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 528 || 263 || 25.2 || .420 || .378 || .803 || 2.3 || 3.6 || .8 || .1 || 10.5
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | Detroit
| 22 || 0 || 8.9 || .396 || .429 || .563 || 1.2 || 1.1 || .2 || .0 || 2.6
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Houston
| 7 || 0 || 24.4 || .468 || .000 || .958 || 1.9 || 2.3 || .9 || .3 || 11.6
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | New Orleans
| 4 || 0 || 7.0 || .333 || .400 || 1.000 || .3 || .3 || .5 || .0 || 3.0
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 33 || 0 || 11.9 || .425 || .286 || .810 || 1.2 || 1.2 || .4 || .1 || 4.5
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player.
Early years
The youngest of seven siblings, James's childhood was not without challenges. Crime, drugs, and violence troubled his neighborhood streets. Lack of social and economic opportunity made urban living grueling and difficult for James and his family. Undirected and uninspired, Mike found solace on the courts. More than recreation, basketball became his bloodline and a way to stay out of trouble. James's commitment and daily practice would soon payoff as he was invited to join the Amityville High School basketball squad. Unmatched and unbeatable, he performed extremely well. Despite his courtside accomplishments and extraordinary talent, no one believed Mike would ever play Division I basketball. Upon graduation, James proved every naysayer wrong when he earned a basketball scholarship to Duquesne UniversityDuquesne University
Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit is a private Catholic university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded by members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Duquesne first opened its doors as the Pittsburgh Catholic College of the Holy Ghost in October 1878 with an enrollment of...
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
.
College career
James had a college career at Duquesne UniversityDuquesne University
Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit is a private Catholic university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded by members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Duquesne first opened its doors as the Pittsburgh Catholic College of the Holy Ghost in October 1878 with an enrollment of...
that saw him finish ranked third all-time in steals (201), fifth in assists (348) and 10th in points (1,411) at the school and included being named to the all Atlantic 10 Conference 1st team in his senior year. However, he was not draft
1998 NBA Draft
The 1998 NBA Draft took place on June 24, 1998 at General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This draft helped turn around three struggling franchises: the Dallas Mavericks, the Sacramento Kings, and the Toronto Raptors....
ed.
Professional career
Mike remained positive and opted for a start in the European professional leagues instead. Mike enjoyed several stellar seasons as an integral player with both the French and Austrian teams. He began his NBA career when he signed as a free agentFree agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
with the Miami Heat
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
during the 2001–02 season. He has since played for the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
, the Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
, the Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
, Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
and the Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
averaging 11.9 points per game for his career. As the starting point guard
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
for the Raptors during the 2005–06 season, he averaged career highs of 20.3 points, 5.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game and shot 47% from the field including 44.2% from 3-point range which ranked among the league leaders. James is the first undrafted player in the history of the NBA to average at least 20 points a game in a season.
On April 11, 2006, Mike James became the first Toronto Raptor to score 30 or more points in 4 consecutive games.
James was a member of the Pistons' 2004 NBA Championship team as a reserve. He and fellow reserve guard Lindsey Hunter
Lindsey Hunter
Lindsey Benson Hunter, Jr. is a former American professional basketball player. He was a point guard in the National Basketball Association from 1993 to 2010, spending most of his career with Detroit Pistons...
formed a formidable defensive guard combination nicknamed the "Pit Bulls" by Rasheed Wallace
Rasheed Wallace
Rasheed Abdul Wallace is a retired American professional basketball power forward and center who played from 1995 to 2010 in the National Basketball Association...
, because of their aggressive nature on defense.
In spite of his strong play during the 2005–06 season for the Raptors
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
, he has been criticized as being somewhat of a one-dimensional player. Despite being an above-average shooter from the point guard spot, his playmaking abilities have been called into question at times as well as his commitment to defense, in stark contrast to his "pit bull" days with the Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune wrote of his big 2005–06 season: "Previously, James had started only 68 games, so some scouts wondered if those numbers were an aberration. Others felt his impending free agency affected his play, prompting him to seek stats at the expense of play-making duties."
While playing for Toronto in the 2005–06 season, he reached a career high of 39 points in a win against the Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
.
On July 11, 2006, James signed a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves for a reported four years, with a player option on the last year, and with a trade kicker clause, which would raise his salary by 15% automatically if he were to be traded. Much of the 2006–07 season was marred by mediocre play, which limited his minutes to 25, down from the 37 he averaged during his career year in Toronto.
On June 14, 2007 it was officially announced that James and teammate Justin Reed
Justin Reed
Justin Michael Reed is an American professional basketball player, in the small forward position.Reed has been a free agent since the end of the 2009 season.-College career:...
would be traded to the Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
for Juwan Howard
Juwan Howard
Juwan Antonio Howard is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association . The Heat were his eighth different NBA team. He was drafted fifth overall in the 1994 NBA Draft by the Washington Bullets...
.
On February 21, 2008 it was announced that James and teammate Bonzi Wells
Bonzi Wells
Gawen DeAngelo "Bonzi" Wells is an American professional basketball player. A 6' 5" shooting guard, he last played for Capitanes de Arecibo of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional, the main Puerto Rican basketball league. He played college basketball at Ball State University and was drafted in the...
would be traded to the New Orleans Hornets for Bobby Jackson, and Adam Haluska
Adam Haluska
Adam Haluska is an American professional basketball player. He is a 6'5" tall shooting guard who is a free agent.-2003-2007:...
. This ends his second short tenure as a Houston Rocket.
James was traded on December 10, 2008 in a three team trade between the New Orleans Hornets, Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's...
, and Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
.
The trade sent James and Javaris Crittenton
Javaris Crittenton
Javaris Cortez Crittenton is an American professional basketball player who has most recently played for the Dakota Wizards of the NBA D-League. He was previously the starting point guard for the Georgia Tech men's basketball team....
to the Wizards and Antonio Daniels
Antonio Daniels
Antonio Robert Daniels is an American professional basketball player. He most recently played for the Philadelphia 76ers.-Career:...
to the Hornets. The Grizzlies received a conditional first round draft pick from the Wizards.
On March 1, 2010, it was announced that the Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
had reached a buy-out agreement with James and waived him. James averaged 9.3 points per game during his stint with the Wizards, in which he played 57 games.
In February 2011 he signed with Aliağa Petkim in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
.
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 2001–02
| align="left" | Miami
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
| 15 || 0 || 7.9 || .349 || .381 || .571 || .9 || 1.3 || .4 || .1 || 2.8
|-
| align="left" | 2002–03
| align="left" | Miami
| 78 || 8 || 22.1 || .373 || .294 || .732 || 1.9 || 3.2 || .8 || .1 || 7.8
|-
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | Boston
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
| 55 || 55 || 30.6 || .418 || .381 || .800 || 3.2 || 4.4 || 1.3 || .0 || 10.7
|-
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | Detroit
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
| 26 || 0 || 19.7 || .401 || .364 || .844 || 2.2 || 3.7 || 1.0 || .0 || 6.3
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Milwaukee
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
| 47 || 0 || 24.8 || .446 || .382 || .744 || 2.6 || 3.9 || .9 || .1 || 11.4
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Houston
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
| 27 || 5 || 25.6 || .433 || .393 || .764 || 3.2 || 2.9 || .9 || .1 || 12.4
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Toronto
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
| 79 || 79 || 37.0 || .469 || .442 || .837 || 3.3 || 5.8 || .9 || .0 || 20.3
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Minnesota
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Founded in 1989, the team is currently owned by Glen Taylor...
| 82 || 65 || 25.2 || .422 || .372 || .837 || 2.0 || 3.6 || .7 || .1 || 10.1
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Houston
| 33 || 1 || 16.3 || .350 || .324 || .786 || 1.6 || 1.6 || .5 || .1 || 6.5
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | New Orleans
| 21 || 0 || 8.7 || .344 || .304 || 1.000 || .8 || .3 || .2 || .0 || 2.7
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
2008–09 NBA season
The 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...
| align="left" | New Orleans
| 8 || 0 || 9.3 || .320 || .750 || .500 || .9 || 1.0 || .2 || .0 || 2.5
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Washington
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
| 53 || 50 || 29.7 || .387 || .367 || .838 || 2.4 || 3.6 || .8 || .1 || 9.6
|-
| align="left" | 2009-10
| align="left" | Washington
| 4 || 0 || 11.5 || .300 || .333 || .500 || .8 || 1.3 || .8 || .0 || 4.5
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 528 || 263 || 25.2 || .420 || .378 || .803 || 2.3 || 3.6 || .8 || .1 || 10.5
Playoffs
|-| align="left" | 2003–04
2004 NBA Playoffs
The 2004 NBA Playoffs were the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2003–04 season. Consisting of 16 teams in two conferences, the playoffs involved about two months of play. The playoffs were conducted in seven-game series, with the team with the better record holding home court...
| align="left" | Detroit
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
| 22 || 0 || 8.9 || .396 || .429 || .563 || 1.2 || 1.1 || .2 || .0 || 2.6
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
2005 NBA Playoffs
The 2005 NBA Playoffs was the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2004–05 season.The San Antonio Spurs, the number two ranked team in the Western Conference, won the 2005 NBA Playoffs by defeating the defending champions, the Detroit Pistons, 4-3 in the NBA Finals...
| align="left" | Houston
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
| 7 || 0 || 24.4 || .468 || .000 || .958 || 1.9 || 2.3 || .9 || .3 || 11.6
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
2008 NBA Playoffs
The 2008 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2007–08 season which ended with the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics defeating the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers 4–2....
| align="left" | New Orleans
| 4 || 0 || 7.0 || .333 || .400 || 1.000 || .3 || .3 || .5 || .0 || 3.0
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 33 || 0 || 11.9 || .425 || .286 || .810 || 1.2 || 1.2 || .4 || .1 || 4.5
Personal
James and his wife, Angela, have four daughters: Jadon Miciah, Amaya Noel, Michal Mikaya and McKinley Joel. The family has appeared in an episode of ABC's SupernannySupernanny
Supernanny is a reality TV programme which originated in the United Kingdom about parents struggling with their children's behaviour. The UK version has aired on Channel 4 with E4 showing repeats since 2004. The program returned in 2010...
.