Mike James, the Euroleague’s all-time leading scorer, sat down with HoopsHype for an exclusive interview at the 19th edition of adidas Eurocamp in Treviso, Italy.
The AS Monaco captain and five-time All-Euroleague selection discussed what draws him back to an event like this as a guest and brand representative for adidas, the life philosophy that has defined a 14-year overseas career, and the honest truth about being good enough for the NBA without needing it to validate who you are.
How do you feel about being here at Eurocamp and being at a global stage like this?
Mike James: It’s dope. I like being around kids and just watching them work out and watching them progress and try to progress and just try to get better. I think it’s fun. It’s fun for me, so I’m having a good time. I think just being anywhere and like people hold you at a higher standard and want to ask you questions is super dope and super surreal. So yeah, as I said, it’s fun.
You’re one of the best players overseas. What has your journey taught you so far?
MJ: I like to go where I’m wanted. And that’s kind of how I live my life. Just go where you want to. You know, you could want something so bad and still push through and push through and make you worse off instead of just going somewhere where people want you and people appreciate you. So, yeah, that’s basically that.
Someone said, ‘It’s nice to be wanted.’
MJ: For sure, I think if you’re in a place where they don’t really want you there and they don’t appreciate you, any little thing that’s bad, it just turns you worse. So yeah, just trying to go places where I’m wanted and where people are going to just appreciate what I’m giving.
Did it take you a little bit to realize that when you were younger?
MJ: Yeah, I’m kinda just going where I’m wanted and where my game will take me. Obviously, you wanna set goals and have big dreams, but you gotta stay present, stay in the moment, stay where you’re at, and enjoy where you’re at. If you keep thinking about what’s next, then you’re gonna lose track of the now.
Was there anything you look back on, like a challenge, an obstacle that you look back on you’re grateful you went through it because it made you who you are today?
MJ: I mean, yeah, I don’t think it was one moment or one specific time frame, but I mean, hardships and adversity and all that type of stuff are good for you. It’s good to get tested, it’s good to go through things, because I think if everything’s too easy at a point where something is hard, I think the first reaction is to give up. But if you keep going through things and getting through them and you’re showing yourself you can get through it, then when the hard times come, you’re ready for it.
When you switched from your stint in America to going overseas, was that a hard adjustment?
MJ: It’s just a different role, I think. No matter where you play, you can’t expect somebody to be as good as you or as bad as you or to do everything the same way as you, like in every job in the world. So, I just want my co-workers, teammates, coaches, down to trainers and staff, to just do the best they can. And if we go into games and you’re doing the best you can and I’m doing the best I can, it should work out for us. Or at least we’re going to have a chance to.
What advice would you give players who were in your shoes?
MJ: Everybody’s situation is different. Everybody has different things going on. But as I said, go where you want to. I mean, you’re trying to force somewhere that you think they’re kind of just in between on you. It just doesn’t. You know, as soon as something goes bad, they kind of move on from you. If you go somewhere you want, you go, you get time to be a human, to maybe make some mistakes and push through. So that’s all. That’s what I would say.
I feel like you know you’re good enough to be in the NBA. Was it more a matter of not being in the right place at the right time?
MJ: I think that I realized a long time ago that just because you are good enough to be in the NBA doesn’t mean you’re supposed to be. I think it’s a lot of people that are not in the NBA that probably could be, have had the chance to be, but you know, certain things don’t work out. Even though you could be better than a person, maybe he’s just a better fit, and a lot of things are about that. I’m not thinking about it every day or worried about it. It’s just I am where I am, and I’m happy where I’m at.
As you get older, you look back at things with more perspective.
MJ: Yeah, I was never like a person that I gotta make it to the NBA, I gotta be in the NBA. I think that’s like a child’s dream when you get older, and you start realizing what’s really important in life. I don’t think that’s like what I’m thinking about every day.
What’s important in life for you?
MJ: Just to be at peace and be happy, man. I ain’t worried about nothing else.
How has the game overseas changed since you first came in?
MJ: It’s become a lot more American, I think. I think when I first got in, it was like one or two Americans per team. And I think now, it’s teams with a good number of Americans on their team. And I think it was a lot more European stars. I guess more European star-driven when I first started. I think it’s a lot more American stars now. I think basketball evolves, basketball changes in waves. And I think it’s just been more accepting of American-style basketball now. But basketball comes in waves, so it’s probably gonna go back towards the other way in a minute.
What are your thoughts on seeing how the Euros are developing the young guys versus when you were coming up in the Euroleague? What’s the difference in seeing that firsthand?
MJ: I feel like, for a period, we were teaching basketball more like an individual sport. Like working on it individually, working on just your individual game, how to play by yourself, how to score a one-on-one. And I think in the European style, they teach how to play with the team and how to pass, move, cut, and make the right read. And I think that’s just how they were brought up. So it’s just a difference. But I think now it’s kind of getting back to the pass, move, cut style. As I said, basketball comes in waves.
Who’s your GOAT?
MJ:Michael Jordan. He’s the best.
How old were you when he was playing?
MJ: In 1984, I was negative six; in 1998, I was eight. I got the craziest memory. They had a game when they played the Jazz, I think the last year he played. And they won 96-54 in a Finals game. And I just remember watching like, ‘Damn, Michael Jordan this good? This game boring.’ And I just went outside and started hooping. It was Game 3, his last title. They beat them badly. And I was just like, ‘Man, this is crazy. He’s amazing. Nobody beats him.’
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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Mike James Q&A: ‘Just because you’re good enough for the NBA doesn’t mean you’re supposed to be’
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