Nets news: Brooklyn signs Mike James for the remainder of the season

The Brooklyn Nets announce that they are going to sign guard Mike James for the remainder of the season.

Mike James is officially a Brooklyn Net for the remainder of the season. James is averaging 8.8 PPG, 3.6 APG and 2.2 RPG in almost 18 minutes per game. In his most recent outing, he scored 12 points and went 2-for-3 from behind the arc.

Steve Nash and the Nets knew they were getting a certified bucket when Nets GM Sean Marks first brought James over from the Euroleague. It was all a matter of how he would fit in with this team and if he could translate his amazing play from across the globe to here in Brooklyn right away. We saw glimpses of it; however, James knows he can be better. Nash even acknowledged that he expected some, “rust,” by Mike James following the Chicago Bulls game on Tuesday. If this is James not even at his best, we’re in for a treat very soon.

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Mike James officially signs with the Brooklyn Nets

Mike James officially signs with the Brooklyn Nets.

Mike James, a 6-foot-1 guard who was born in Portland, officially signed with the Brooklyn Nets on a 10-day contract.

The last time the NBA saw James was in 2017 when he played for the New Orleans Pelicans. James has been balling out in the Euroleague since then, most recently for his former team CSKA Moscow.

The 27-year-old averaged 19.3 PPG, 5.7 APG, and 3.1 RPG on 43% shooting in 2020. His ability to take on ball-handling responsibilities is what is most needed for the Nets right now without James Harden, Spencer Dinwiddie, Chris Chiozza, Tyler Johnson and Kevin Durant.

James adds an ability to shoot the 3 ball. He made about three of those per game on average playing in the Euroleague. James made those shots at a 33% clip. He is also a phenomenal free-throw shooter who shoots at a 90% clip.

It’s times like these where opportunities fall to players like James to try and prove themselves on the biggest stage in basketball. Can the Portland native step up to the plate? He could be rewarded with a longer contract if he does.

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On this day: Wilkins, James sign; Wanamaker, Krstić, Olsen born

Former Celtics Dominique Wilkins and Mike James signed with Boston today, and Brad Wanamaker, Nenad Krstić and Bud Olsen were born today.

On this day in 1994, Hall of Fame small forward Dominique Wilkins signed with the Boston Celtics in free agency.

The Human Highlight Film — as Wilkins had come to be called for his frequent, flashy dunks — went on to win a gold medal in the 1994 World Championship of Basketball with the so-called “Dream Team 2” before joining the team in the fall.

Wilkins would play but one season with the Celtics, putting up a very respectable 17.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game in his age 35 season, displaying an exceptionally rare high level longevity.

After the season was over, Wilkins would head overseas to play for Greek club Panathinaikos, with whom he would win a EuroLeague championship.