Mike James talks relationship with Obradovic, EuroLeague legacy, story from his Zagreb days / News - Basketnews.com

Mike James denied that he was fired from KK Zagreb for falling asleep at a video session, stressed that his EuroLeague legacy doesn't depend too much on whether he wins the trophy, and cleared up the air on his rapport with Sasa Obradovic.

Credit: Roberto Finizio/EuroLeague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Roberto Finizio/EuroLeague Basketball via Getty Images

In 2012,Mike Jamessigned his first international contract with now-defunct KK Zagreb. The team was coached by a veteran Croatian specialist, Danijel Jusup.

Mike James

MIN:30.9PTS:18.58 (51.63%)REB:4.33As:5.5ST:1BL:0TO:1.5GM:12ProfileEuroLeague2023/2024

Last September, Miralem Halilovic, a Galatasaray Nef Istanbul forward, gave aninterview to Basketball Sphere, where he told a story of how the up-and-coming American guard got fired from the club after just several months.

"It was his first season in Europe. The coach was Danijel Jusup. After staying there for one or two months, he was shocked by the various practices and the way of playing in Europe," Halilovic said.

The Bosnian player revealed that Mike James once fell asleep during a video review, and it was the main reason he was let go in December after signing the contract in August.

"Whether because of communication with his relatives in America, video games, or going out... But he fell asleep two or three times during the video analysis we watched, which was a great insult for [head coach] Jusup," Halilovic said.

Almost three months later, James presented his version of the facts in an interview with Marko Jeremic of Meridian Sport.

"No. I left because they didn't pay me," James contradicted the story Halilovic had laid out.

"The coach and I didn't get along very well, he didn't think I was a good enough player. I even think we went 5-1 during those six games, but he didn't enjoy the way I play basketball,” James said.

At the end of October, the 33-year-old American guard was the fastest player to ever reach 4,000 points for his EuroLeague career, which means that by the end of the season, he could dethrone Vasilis Spanulis (4,455) and become the all-time top scorer in the history of the competition.

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"I just try to work out regularly in the days between games, to shoot the ball, do my training as seriously as possible, and practice the shots I want to take during the game," James revealed his routine.

The guard of AS Monaco reflected on his EuroLeague journey that has taken him all over Europe -- from Vitoria to Athens to Milan, then Moscow, and, finally, the Principality.

"This is just the culmination of my journey so far," he said, referring to Monaco.

"When I came in, the team was at the beginning, and I was at my peak. We fit in perfectly and came into a situation where we have something I haven't had before. I want to see how far I can go with Monaco," James stressed.

Despite rumors regarding his relationship with coach Sasa Obradovic, James assured that the two are on very good terms.

"Me and Sasa are cool. I enjoy working with him, he is a great person and coach," he said. "Our cooperation since I have been here has been very beneficial for me, I hope for him and the club as well."

Credit AS Monaco Direction de la Communication / Stephane Danna

Even though he's still to win a EuroLeague trophy, James doesn't think his legacy will be affected in any way by his lack of silverware.

"Honestly, everything I've done so far has already cemented my legacy," he pointed out.

"I think no matter what, I'll probably be the best ever, but winning the title, of course, will take me to a higher level."

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