The shock from Milan's behavior ("They said I was returning to the team"), the proposals that didn't come from Maccabi ("They never tried to sign me"), the period in the Galilee ("was family") and the chop with Wilkin • The CSKA star in an exclusive interview to " Israel today"
James, yesterday at the Hilton Hotel in Tel Aviv
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"You can love or hate Mike James, but you can't remain indifferent to him," senior Lithuanian journalist Donatas Orbonas wrote last week just before the star snatched a huge three-pointer on the extension buzzer and gave the CSA a dramatic victory over G 'To Gyris Kovno.
Indeed, James is one of the most popular basketball players in European basketball. He expresses his opinion through the Twitter account of almost every topic that comes to mind and is not afraid to say his opinion. Professionally, he is one of the most talented players in Europe, only last year finishing as the Euroleague's Slim King.
In an exclusive interview on Wednesday at the Hilton Hotel in Tel Aviv, he tells Israel Today, among other things, about the period in the Upper Galilee from the National League in 2013, what happened to Milan and Ettore Messina last summer, whether Maccabi Tel Aviv tried to sign him, Ann. BI, CSKA Moscow and of course on the intriguing Machap with Scotty Wilkin and Maccabi Tel Aviv tonight at 21.05.
James in Milan uniform. "We've given back messages" // Photo: Gettyimages
The shock from Messina's behavior
Mike James had a contract for the next two years in Milan, but Atura Messina, who arrived at the Italian club this summer, decided he did not want his player on the team and released him. It soon became clear that he dared out sweet, and the talented Guard got upgraded and signed to the CSKA Moscow. The move upset European basketball, including James himself coming out in a series of tweets in the Twitter account against the Italians. "They never explained to me why they decided to release me," He says, "To this day I don't understand why."
Milan released you late in the summer. So, did you think you would get an upgrade to a bigger club like CSKA or were you afraid to stay without a team?
"I didn't know about it, I was in the market. All the messages I got this summer from Milan and from Messina coach were that I was returning to the team. I was a bit panicked at first, but then I had a conversation with coach Itodis (Dimitris, coach of CSKA Moscow, JM) and he offered me I told him about the situation I had with Milan. He asked me a few questions and then I felt I was ready for it. "
What didn't work last season in Milan? You had a very talented team and you were the king of baskets and second place in the Euroleague assists.
"We had a lot of injuries, Nadowitz only played half a season, Goodies was also ineligible. Jeff Brooks wasn't 100 percent available and it was tough. There's not much to do with it, we started losing games and it was frustrating, players were forced to come back early Of the injuries that weren't even ready and it's simple - we were talented but we lost. "
How was your relationship with Coach Simona Pianijani?
"He is fun, a good man with a sense of humor, but I think the injuries affected him too. He did a lot of rotation at first, but after the many injuries he reduced the rotation and less relied on everyone, it was difficult for all of us."
Messina. "Don't understand why they let me go" // Photo: IP
"In the CSCA require high standards"
As mentioned, shortly after the release from Milan, James received a call from the CSKA coach and joined the European champions undergoing a major change on the roster. The season opened well with four consecutive wins in Euroleague, but then Will Claiborne was injured, and the Russians lost four of their next eight games.
You entered in the CSKA for the big shoes of Sergio Rodrigues and Nando de Colo. Did you change anything in your game following that?
"No. They are great high-level players in Europe, but I don't feel intimidated by them and I have no problem asking them questions and I'm comfortable with them. I just play my game."
What is special about the CSC that is constantly on top, unlike other groups that sometimes suffer from bad times?
"They just demand more. There are clubs that prevent loud fans from influencing the team, in the CSCA, the managers are very dominant and demand you high standards all the time. And see the results. "
People say that this year's CSKA roster is a little less good than the previous seasons, especially after Clayburn's injury. Do you think that this year you can go to the Final Four and maybe win the Euroleague again?
"I don't see why not. It is true that the injury affects us, but it can happen to everyone. We with our feet on the ground and the coach are working on good combinations of players. A lot of teams can start badly in the Euroleague, but with the right chemistry you can rise. At the peak of the important games. "
Weather in Kfar Blum
James has some familiarity with Israel. His second team in Europe was Hapoel Upper Galilee from the National League, which he joined in the middle of the 2012/13 season and scored an average of 22.8 points per game, but did not move with her to the Premier League. "It was very nice. I arrived late in the season, but I was good and I enjoyed the weather and the attitude of the team which is very family-friendly. I had a good time. I also remember coach Ziv Barthana."
Even though you've done good numbers, no Premier League team has signed you.
"It didn't bother me. The first league teams usually look for the first league. That's how it is. Not everyone sees everything the same and not everyone believes you the same. In the end I moved to Greece and it worked in my favor."
Did you think at that time that you would come further down to the NBA or the high-level Euroleague?
"I wasn't worried about that because I know what I'm worth. I was concentrating on my team at that moment."
Jacob Meyer and James, yesterday at the Hilton Hotel in Tel Aviv // Photo: Udi Citiat
The release from Phoenix and the Twitter activity
After short stints in small teams in Italy and Greece, James reached the high levels of the Euroleague and provided three excellent seasons in Basconia and Panithiniacus that brought him to the NBA, to Phoenix Suns. Despite scoring an average of 10.4 points in his 32 games at Suns, the team management decided to say goodbye in mid-December. James was furious and refused to forgive. A year and a half later, he still stung General Manager Ryan McDonough in his Twitter account when he wrote after his dismissal that Phoenix owners should have done so long ago.
Today he already sounds more conciliatory. "It wasn't anything in my hands. That's how it is in this job, basketball is business. I understand that and here I am now in a good place."
A good season in the CSA will help you get back to the NBA?
"I don't think about it that much. Everyone knows who I am and what I do. I'm just trying to win."
McDonough was not the only one kidnapped from James on Twitter. As mentioned, the player expresses his opinion on a variety of topics, answering fans from different teams who ask him questions and even analyzes the situation in basketball in leagues around the world. "I like to be honest. I don't like being fake, but being real all the time. If people don't like it at least they know it's really me."
Last summer, you wrote to an Olympics fan that the match between you and coach David Blatt would not be good. what did you mean?
"We have a very good relationship and we also talked this summer. He even thought I would join him in Drushpaka at the time. I have a lot of respect for him and I only have good things about him. I like him very much."
Wilkin. "Scottish is better this season" // Photo: Alan Shaver
The Chuck with Wilbkin and the suggestions from Maccabi
Tonight, James and his friends will meet Maccabi Tel Aviv, which holds a similar balance to the Russian team (4: 8), but comes with a blow, especially in the back line. "They play tough, physical and fast. They play big and play on it, sometimes with some forwards, but we're ready. Injuries happen to almost every team. We'll try to play our game and win."
Scottie Wilbkin has been a great fit lately. How do you see the machap between you?
"Scotty is playing well this season, better than last year. He has more confidence and seems to have a better relationship with the coach than last year. It probably helps a lot. See also Maccabi's coach has confidence in him, but I'm also confident and I'll come to Play my game and do what I do best, let's hope we win. "
Who is the best Guard in Europe?
"I do. I don't feel there is anyone better than me and I don't think anyone can say it has an advantage over me."
There have been rumors that Maccabi Tel Aviv has tried to seal you in recent years, but you prefer to go to other groups.
"They never tried to sign me. I never got an offer from them. They talked to me once, but not about basketball but other things. I don't know about the future."