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kriD · 02-12-2007, 11:46 AM

James isn't happy with benching

Offseason pickup hints at possible trade

BY RICK ALONZO
Pioneer Press

Mike James didn't sign up for this.

Last summer, he had free-agent contract offers from the likes of the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets. He picked Minnesota's offer and the opportunity to be a starter and a significant player alongside Kevin Garnett.

He wasn't happy when he found out Saturday from coach Randy Wittman that he wouldn't be starting Sunday's game against the Boston Celtics. It wasn't what he had imagined for himself when he joined the Wolves.

"Not at all," James said after his team's 109-107 victory. "But they were preparing him, and they were seasoning him, Randy (Foye, the rookie who took James' place Sunday). This is what they want for him. They're getting what they want. It's tough at times because I just feel like, if I'm not a fit here, then like they always say, if it ain't one place, it always can be another."

James was indicating that he could have been — and might yet be — a better fit elsewhere. His reaction to the change in the starting lineup?

"He's the boss (Wittman), so you've got no choice but to … whatever he says goes, so I can't worry about nothing I have no control over," James said. "I don't think that it was right, but that's his decision, so that's what he went with."

James has to make his role work with the Wolves, apparently as a reserve for the foreseeable future.

"You've just got to play the game," James said. "The game is the game. When you're on the court, you've just got to take advantage of it. It don't matter."

Whether the move to Foye is considered a short-term fix or a long-term move remains to be seen. But it wouldn't make much sense to make this change without committing to it for the long term.

If the Wolves are committed to Foye, they might have a problem on their hands with James. It's doubtful James would have signed with Minnesota to be a reserve. The winter weather is demanding, and the team finished 33-49 last season. He could have signed with Dallas and been a reserve on one of the best teams in the NBA, or he could have signed with Houston and possibly been a starter for another one of the Western Conference's top teams.

He might not have received as much money, however. James signed a four-year contract worth about $23.5 million.

Veteran Kevin Garnett said he thinks James can remain a valuable member of the team. James finished with five points, three assists and no turnovers in 14 minutes.

"Mike's a vet," Garnett said. "He knows how the league works. He knows he has to be professional and stay ready. Just because he's not a starter doesn't necessarily mean we don't need him. It's not about one person around here, it's about what's best for this team. We've all got full faith that he'll do that. He was ready (against Boston). Played good minutes, kept things afloat. Cheering on Randy, so that was a good thing."

02-12-2007, 11:46 AM	#1
kriD Platinum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 2,039	[Mike] James isn't happy with benching James isn't happy with benching Offseason pickup hints at possible trade BY RICK ALONZO Pioneer Press Mike James didn't sign up for this. Last summer, he had free-agent contract offers from the likes of the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets. He picked Minnesota's offer and the opportunity to be a starter and a significant player alongside Kevin Garnett. He wasn't happy when he found out Saturday from coach Randy Wittman that he wouldn't be starting Sunday's game against the Boston Celtics. It wasn't what he had imagined for himself when he joined the Wolves. "Not at all," James said after his team's 109-107 victory. "But they were preparing him, and they were seasoning him, Randy (Foye, the rookie who took James' place Sunday). This is what they want for him. They're getting what they want. It's tough at times because I just feel like, if I'm not a fit here, then like they always say, if it ain't one place, it always can be another." James was indicating that he could have been — and might yet be — a better fit elsewhere. His reaction to the change in the starting lineup? "He's the boss (Wittman), so you've got no choice but to … whatever he says goes, so I can't worry about nothing I have no control over," James said. "I don't think that it was right, but that's his decision, so that's what he went with." James has to make his role work with the Wolves, apparently as a reserve for the foreseeable future. "You've just got to play the game," James said. "The game is the game. When you're on the court, you've just got to take advantage of it. It don't matter." Whether the move to Foye is considered a short-term fix or a long-term move remains to be seen. But it wouldn't make much sense to make this change without committing to it for the long term. If the Wolves are committed to Foye, they might have a problem on their hands with James. It's doubtful James would have signed with Minnesota to be a reserve. The winter weather is demanding, and the team finished 33-49 last season. He could have signed with Dallas and been a reserve on one of the best teams in the NBA, or he could have signed with Houston and possibly been a starter for another one of the Western Conference's top teams. He might not have received as much money, however. James signed a four-year contract worth about $23.5 million. Veteran Kevin Garnett said he thinks James can remain a valuable member of the team. James finished with five points, three assists and no turnovers in 14 minutes. "Mike's a vet," Garnett said. "He knows how the league works. He knows he has to be professional and stay ready. Just because he's not a starter doesn't necessarily mean we don't need him. It's not about one person around here, it's about what's best for this team. We've all got full faith that he'll do that. He was ready (against Boston). Played good minutes, kept things afloat. Cheering on Randy, so that was a good thing."