With Mike James claiming the Euroleague Basketball scoring record last week. Emmet Ryan on a man who has always been his own man in basketball
It was inevitable yet it still felt good. Mike James, by breaking the all-time scoring record for Euroleague Basketball, has left an indelible mark. The AS Monaco marksman has somehow always been highly rated yet underrated at the same time. It’s been a trip and it’s not over yet.
First the numbers
This article is about more than the numbers with Mike James but it’s worth pointing out the context of his record. In Euroleague Basketball history, he is 13th in minutes played, 3rd in total PIR (4th per game), 11th in steals, and 7th in made 3s.
He doesn’t even feature in the top 20 in games played, despite his heavy usage. As for that heavy usage, there’s also a qualifier again in his favour. James was brilliant for Baskonia in his two seasons there but he also saw less of the ball. With Ioannis Bourousis effectively playing point-5, James was in adapting mode from the off.
All of this is to say that the achievement of Mike James is brilliant and historic, even allowing for differences in eras.
Man put in work
The Baskonia leg of the Mike James story is indicative of his rise. The easiest career comparison is Kyle Hines, the Ironman of Euroleague Basketball. James started out figuring things out in Europe. He didn’t just show up at a big club and deliver. Baskonia were, on paper, taking a gamble on him when they signed him from Kolossus.
As a general rule. If Baskonia take a gamble on an American at a smaller European club, it tends to work out. They just don’t tend to work out at Mike James levels. That’s another matter entirely. James had to grind but got to the Euroleague Final Four in Berlin in 2016. Then he got the money move to Panathinaikos and a NBA shot with both the Phoenix Suns and the New Orleans Pelicans.
Then things got weird. A really impressive first season with Olimpia Milano should have led to a big second year. Instead, Ettore Messina didn’t see any place for him on the roster. It’s a decision that baffles to this day.
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As the saying goes, we ball
Whatever the cause of Messina’s decision, it turned out well for Mike James. At least on the court. There was impressive play with CSKA Moscow but it was also a contract that both sides eventually agreed to end. Then came his stint in Brooklyn before, finally, it turned out AS Monaco was more than just a place that could afford him.
At AS Monaco, more than anywhere else, Mike James has been free to truly lead in ever aspect. This hasn’t made him overly greedy on the ball. Far from it. Some of his best play has come when he has opted to stay more off ball and await the opportunity. Even with the hyped arrival of Kemba Walker fuelling stories of a move, he stayed and delivered. That’s just what Mike James does in Euroleague Basketball.
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About the gongs
It’s not like Mike James has an empty trophy cabinet. Between cups and leagues, he has five to his name. That’s ignoring supercups. Then there are the individual honours, with four in Euroleague Basketball, with six more at national league level. The man has done well.
It’s just the ones that are missing. Mike James has somehow never been Euroleague Basketball MVP. That should end this season. He’s also never won Euroleague or even played in the championship game. Changing that, this season, is still a big ask but one within his power.
Bizarrely, based on his own musings, James seems at peace with his lot if he never gets either. Make no mistake, he wants to win both but he seems healthy of mind. Frankly, he seems healthier of mind than most athletes. All indications from here are that his next contract, with AS Monaco or wherever it is, will be his last. He seems fine with that and that’s a good thing.
Mike James has always embraced that he is the master of his fate. The record is nice. It’s just another chapter in his story.
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