Mike James: “NBA Teams See Me as a Risk”
AS Monaco star Mike James has had a unique journey in basketball. While he played two seasons in the NBA, appearing in 49 regular season games, his real legacy has been made in Europe, where he ranks among EuroLeague’s all-time leading scorers.
At 34, James has seen stints with the Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans in the 2017-18 season and later returned to the NBA with the Brooklyn Nets in 2020-21. However, his NBA experience fell short of his expectations, leading him to focus on his European career, where he sought a more central role.
Speaking on SKWEEK’s “Best In Class” podcast, James shared insights into his NBA journey, saying, “NBA teams see me as a risk. Whenever I’ve had conversations, not directly but through my agents, the vibe I get is, ‘Yes, but if things don’t go your way, you’ll get upset and go back to Europe.’”
According to James, many in the NBA believe he would leave if he doesn’t get the playing time he desires. He explained that he’s often viewed as a player who might not accept a limited role, adding, “They think I’m too good for the role they envision for me, yet they’d need to place me in that role to see me succeed. It requires compromise from both sides.”
James also noted the NBA’s preference for taller guards, saying, “The NBA is a great league, but it’s not built for players like me. It’s more designed for 6’7″ guys who can jump, play defense, and wait in the corner.”
Despite not reaching his NBA goals, James has excelled in Europe, though he still seeks a EuroLeague title. Throughout his career, he’s played in Croatia, Israel, Italy, Greece, Spain, Russia, and now Monaco.
When asked about his favorite places to live, James expressed mixed feelings, saying, “Each place has its pros and cons. Baskonia was terrible; Vitoria was the worst place.” Reflecting on his time there, he added, “As a 24-25-year-old newly single guy, there was nothing to do in Vitoria. For me, it was the worst.”
He did, however, fondly recall his time in Athens with Panathinaikos in the 2016-17 season, where he loved the vibrant atmosphere. “I loved Athens because I was 26-27, single, and there was so much to do,” he said. “In the beginning, I probably overdid it. I remember Dimitris Giannakopoulos telling me, ‘Mike, you’re out every night,’ and I just said, ‘I’m excited.’”
James also enjoyed Milan, despite the rainy weather, and shared his appreciation for Moscow, as well as his current life in Monaco, where he finds peace and balance.
Meanwhile, Monaco is experiencing a turbulent EuroLeague season with four wins and three losses, handling the ups and downs as they come.
