Michael Lamont James (born June 23, 1975) is an American former professional basketball player. A point guard, James played college basketball for Duquesne. James spent 13 seasons in the NBA and played for 11 different teams, winning an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004. He averaged 20.3 points per game as a member of the Toronto Raptors during the 2005–2006 season.
James played college basketball at Duquesne University. He finished his college career as Duquesne's all-time leader in steals (201) and was fifth in assists (348) and 10th in points (1,411).[citation needed] James was named to the all-Atlantic 10 Conference first team in his senior year at the university.[1]
James's number 13 was retired by Duquesne in a February 2017 ceremony.[2]
Professional career
Career in Europe
James was not drafted by an NBA team in 1998.[3] He began his professional basketball career in Europe. James enjoyed several seasons as an integral player with both French and Austrian teams.[citation needed]
In February 2011, following several NBA seasons, James signed with Aliağa Petkim in Turkey.[4]
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.[citation needed]
Toronto Raptors
James with the Raptors in 2006
As a starter[5] for the Raptors during the 2005–06 season, James averaged career highs of 20.3 points,[6] 5.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game and shot 47% from the field including 44.2% from 3-point range.[5]
Despite being an above-average shooter from the point guard spot, James's playmaking abilities and commitment to defense were called into question, 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".[citation needed]
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 April 11, 2006, James became the first Raptor to score 30 or more points in four consecutive games.[citation needed]
Minnesota Timberwolves
James averaged a career-high 20.3 points and 5.8 assists for the Raptors, making him a coveted free agent. On July 11, 2006, James signed a four-year $23.5 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, much of the 2006–07 season was marred by mediocre play, which limited his minutes to 25 per game (down from the 37 per game that he averaged during his career year in Toronto).[5][bettersourceneeded]
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.[11]
After joining the Erie Bayhawks in the NBA Development League, James was called up by the Chicago Bulls on January 11, 2012,[12] but released on January 28.[13] On February 14, James was re-signed by the Bulls on a 10-day contract to provide support while Derrick Rose was injured.[14] He was re-signed on a second 10-day contract on March 14.[15] On April 4, 2012, James signed with the Bulls for the rest of the season.[16]
After playing with the Texas Legends of the D-League,[17][18] James was signed to a 10-day contract by the Dallas Mavericks on January 8, 2013.[19][20][21] The Mavs signed him to a second 10-day contract on January 18, 2013.[22] He was then signed for the remainder of the season on January 28, after his second 10-day contract was up.[23]
In September 2013, James signed with the Chicago Bulls.[24] On December 16, 2013, James was waived by the Bulls, after appearing in just seven games.[25] On January 22, 2014, he signed a 10-day contract with the Bulls, returning yet again for another stint.[26] On February 1, 2014, the Bulls decided not to sign James to a second 10-day contract after his first 10-day contract expired.[27] On April 10, 2014, he signed with the Bulls for the rest of the 2013–14 season.[28] On July 15, 2014, he was waived by the Bulls.[29]
Post-NBA career
On November 3, 2014, James was reacquired by the Texas Legends.[30] On January 25, 2015, he recorded the Legends first triple-double of the season with 21 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds in the 115–111 win over the Delaware 87ers.[31]
James and his wife, Angela, have four daughters: Jadon Miciah (b. 2000), Amaya Noel (b. 2003), Michal Mikayla (b. 2007), and McKinley Joel (b. 2008).[citation needed] The family appeared in a 2008 episode of ABC's Supernanny.[32]
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