Vladimir Micov talks memories of Mike James, the guard's record / News - Basketnews.com

Former player Vladimir Micov talked about his years with Mike James when they were playing together in EA7 Emporio Armani Milan.

Credit: BNS Credit BNS

Vladimir Micov, a club legend for EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, was already a mainstay on the team when current EuroLeague all-time scorer Mike James made a brief stop in Italy.

Mike James

MIN:31.62PTS:19.32 (53.4%)REB:4.32As:5.18ST:1.25BL:0TO:1.96GM:28ProfileEuroLeague2023/2024

Speaking to Mozzart Sport, the retired forward talked about his time with James and congratulated his former teammate.

"I had a phenomenal collaboration with him on the floor," began Micov. "I remember that it was a period when there were no big names in Armani. Just [Andrew] Goudelock and I managed to win the championship in Italy. Then next year, we bring Mike James."

While Micov has all the respect for the American guard, he also recognizes that James's presence was, at times, problematic for the Italian team.

"Fantastic player, smart, outstanding scorer, but off the court... generally like every American in his own world," Micov said with some generalization. "They put up with him a lot, which I respect because he's someone who had the upper hand."

He played great, but he was like a ticking time bomb," said the forward. "Sometimes, even the smallest thing affected him so much that he went crazy. He wouldn't play and would ask for a change," continued Micov.

Considering the former player's statements, it was no wonder that Sasa Obradovic, James's current and longest-lasting coach, conversed with Micov to find out the best way to approach the talented American guard.

"I remember a telephone conversation with Sasa Obradovic well. He called me when Mike was about to renew his contract with Monaco. He was looking for advice on how to approach him and how to find a common language," recounted Micov.

"We talked for more than an hour. Quite simply, there were very bad situations in Milan, which were overcome, but in the end, it turned into a complete fallout with him," the forward said, briefly touching upon James's departure from Milan.

In spite of some bad memories, Micov still lavished praise on James for his improvement and congratulated him for his new record.

"I'm looking at him now; he has improved his head incomparably. A team game. It's spectacular. He really made a big success, and I congratulate him on that," concluded the forward.

Micov and James were together in Milan in the 2018-19 season. Just yesterday, James became the EuroLeague's all-time scorer by surpassing Vassilis Spanoulis with more than 4000 points.

Like what we are doing? Support us by becoming BN+ member.