Basketball: Mike James, the unpredictable asset of Monaco
Both soloist and altruist, Mike James, figurehead of Monaco, in search of a first title of champion of France against Villeurbanne, is a multifaceted player whose performance could prove decisive on Saturday at the Astroballe .
Both soloist and altruist, Mike James, figurehead of Monaco, in search of a first title of champion of France against Villeurbanne, is a multifaceted player whose performance could prove decisive on Saturday at the Astroballe .
At the start of the week, Monaco beat Asvel (83-80) in match 3 of this very tight final with a high level part of the American leader, author Monday evening of 16 points and 10 assists, including 7 in the first period. The management of Asvel had perhaps not appreciated seeing the American make his people shine.
Wednesday, during match 4, the double champion of France in title had therefore chosen to isolate him from his partners. And Monegasque collective principles have been shattered.
Faced with the growing gap, and seeing his partners entangled in the opposing defense, James played him solo. At this little game, he is strong too. But his 34 points, or 50% of those of his team, did not, in the end, weigh heavily. Asvel won 85-68, equalizing with two wins everywhere. And for the Roca Team, the doubts born of an already completely insipid match 2 (91-54 defeat on June 17), have reappeared.
For this ultimate coronation ball, Saturday evening, the ability of the ex-CSKA Moscow star and his 2 million euros annual salary – capable of finishing the last season at the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA after a conflict with the coach Dimitri Itoudis -, uniting around him will be essential.
“Of course the leaders must take their responsibilities, recognizes captain Leo Westermann, but the whole team wants to win. For that, we must be united, together. There is the ability and the will to remain united.”
– Balance, not compromise –
Coach Sasa Obradovic knows James is talented and smart enough to pull this off. But he also knows that sometimes a grain of sand can disrupt everything.
“Basketball is a collective sport, he recalls. Everyone, from their position and during the time they are on the field, must contribute to the strength of the team. Not just one person. It’s only together and welded that it will work. In the end, do we win with only one guy? No! Never!”
“With Mike, everything depends on him,” the former 1998 world champion with Yugoslavia told AFP last week. “We are in the exchange, it is going well, he said. He understands the game perfectly and has excellent sides when he is calm. But he can be his worst enemy, hurting himself. If you confront it with what you don’t want to see, there may be problems.”
James hardly compromises. On his Twitter account, of which he is an assiduous and vigilant user, he also pinned his motto: “No discount on my services!!!” (No discount for my services).
The 31-year-old American leader knows he is essential in a team. He expects everything to revolve around his vision of the game. my kind.”
Thus, since the start of the series, he has been running at 18.5% three-point average (5/27). “But it’s my game to take risks, he says. I will continue.”
The whole thing will be to find the right balance, the right mix with his teammates, with Obradovic. Because this season, James has often worn his. As in the Euroleague, for example, where he was elected in the five majors of the season, even if Monaco stopped at the gates of Final 4.
By Christophe BELLEUDI / Monaco (AFP) / © 2022 AFP