October 26, 2001
Mike James was released Thursday by the Miami Heat.
James, who had played in the Heat's first five games, did not see action in Monday's 91-84 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves nor in Tuesday's 90-88 win over the San Antonio Spurs.
The Heat press release included the following statements:
- "Miami HEAT President and Head Coach Pat Riley announced Wednesday that the HEAT has released Rodney Buford, Kimani Ffriend and Mike James. The roster now stands at 17 players.
...James, a 6'2", 190-pound point guard, who was signed by the HEAT as a free agent on July 20, 2001 after playing overseas for three years, appeared in five games during the preseason and made one start. He averaged 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 21.0 minutes while shooting 22.6 percent (7-31) from the floor, 41.2 percent (7-17) from three-point range and 100 percent (1-1) from the foul line. James ranked second for the HEAT this preseason in both three-point field goals made and attempted and in assists per game (3.0 apg)."
Monday, the NBA team signed veteran point guard Rod Strickland to a free-agent contract. The Sports Network wrote:
- "The Heat are looking to replace Tim Hardaway, who is now with the Dallas Mavericks. Point guard Mike James, who has struggled in the pre-season, is likely to be cut as Strickland's signing brings the Heat's roster to 20. Strickland will compete with Anthony Carter for the starting job."
Here are a couple comments on Mike's play, as reported in the Miami Herald:
" 'Now, with Anthony Carter, Mike James, Eddie House, we have guys who can really push it up the court, kick it out and let me decide what I want to do,' (Eddie) Jones said". (Oct 21, 2001)
"(Head Coach Pat) Riley said he's 'comfortable' with Eddie House as combination guard and with how forward Kendall Gill has run the offense at point guard. As for rookie Mike James, Riley said, 'If he surprised me, he may have been a rotation player. But he was brought in here as a development guy. And we really like Mike.' " (Oct. 23, 2001)
Mike James' NBA career is now on hold. In a year when Pirates pitcher Joe Beimel, a 1999 graduate from Duquesne, received an opportunity to make the major league team because of injuries, James' missed that same chance. The current opportunity isn't present partly because his shooting in the preseason was less accurate than normal and there are more veteran-NBA free-agent point guards available than ex-MLB pitchers.
Our best wishes to Mike with hopes for new successes.
