“I Don’t Care No More” The Real Reasons MIKE JAMES Is NOT In The NBA!

In 2020 Mike James sat down for an interview with EuroHoops and when asked the question is the NBA still a bucket list goal for him, he responded by saying “No, I was already there. I don’t care no more”. With that quote alone you don’t need a story of why Mike James isn’t in the NBA, but because Mike James is one of my personal favorites of all time no matter what league, I could write 100 stories about him as a player, mainly to my enjoyment. I’ve often asked that question myself after learning of Mike James, how does a guy so talented, has a game so beautiful if I can use that word judgement free, and has been seen up close and personal by the NBA, not amount to a lengthy and successful career at the highest level. James flew under the radar early on, a late bloomer on the course of perfecting the craft of scoring while other skills were secondary. At his size you can assume how that was a problem. Nevertheless, Mike James climbed his way from hardly any college offers, junior college for two years, low major division 1 school, and undrafted by the NBA to years overseas before he finally found his way to the top of the mountain only to realize it wasn’t so important any longer. “I Don’t Care No More” The Real Reasons MIKE JAMES Is NOT In The NBA!
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @stuntedgrowth
Thank you for watching. If you're interested in more Please like, subscribe and share
🏀Subscribe here: For updated content kzbin.info/door/r1M...
🎥 Intro: 0:00
🎥 History: 3:10
🎥 Stunt#1: 4:26
🎥 Stunt#2: 6:24
🎥 Stunt#3: 8:15
🎤STUNTED GROWTH MUSIC CHANNEL:
/ stuntedgrowthm. .
🚨 Quarantine Playlist:
• Here's Why We've Never...
⛹️‍♂️WORKOUTS WITH JC:
/ stuntedgrowth
Let me know who I should do next! JC, Stunted Growth.
👕 MERCH: www.stuntedgrowth3.com
🚨Instagram = / stuntedgrowth3
🚨Twitter = / stuntedgrowth3
🚨Facebook = / stuntedgrowth
🙏🏾 Donating will help me bring you content more often at better quality. Anything will help. Thank you for your time. CLICK BELOW:
🚨DONATION LINK: www.paypal.me/growthstunted
#mikejames #stuntedgrowth #nba
*Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS

[@stuntedgrowth]

One of my favs not in the league, probably the fav. his game is so smooth and effortless and his one foot dunks are art in air. Happy to see he's content being a star overseas instead of worrying about a return to the league. Salute Mike James.

[@tbeyah]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@jadepowell5178]

Bro, where are you from? Your accent sounds some kind of caribbean.

[@soooslaaal8204]

@@jadepowell5178 He's from Bahamas

[@jadepowell5178]

@@soooslaaal8204 lol me too, I know I recognized it a bit

[@MitchellBahamas]

Mike James makes exactly 2,139,480.00 MILLION DOLLARS a year, with little to no taxes and lives in a tourist destination for BILLIONAIRES (Monaco). Not only that he plays in front of a packed house of THOUSANDS of INSANE fans routing for HIM mainly every home game and some away. The average bench player takes home .5 to 1.5 mill a year in the league...I woudlnt call that "stunted growth"...bro is a W

[@anthonypotamitis7049]

I wouldn't call monaco's fans insane lol. They are some of the worse in the league.

[@mikeystepback8639]

Look at the NBA salaries this is stunted growth .. stunted by stupid Scouts and GMs that dont know the game .... 50% need to be fired ..

[@zach4989]

I met him a few times nice guy, and know a few of his friends. I asked why isn’t he in the league. I was told he makes great living overseas and doesn’t care for the politics in the NBA everyone doesn’t want to ride the bench and clap. I believed that.. and him having strong relationships with players like KD and etc if he wanted to get another shot he definitely has the connections and the game too.

[@OmniscientVirtuosity]

That’s basketball as a whole. Not just the nba. The bullshit politics of sports begins in the youth leagues now. Age 5 and above. As soon as they keep score, favorites and lobbying idiots and coaches start trying to orchestrate bullshit. The top talents rarely get the shine or opportunities they deserve. That’s why so many scrubs make it and the game isn’t evolving.

[@lilwoken2327]

Lmao kd not calling for him on a roster spot though

[@mohammadmehmood3405]

@@lilwoken2327he already got him in the nba many times you novice

[@lilwoken2327]

@@mohammadmehmood3405 foh many times??

[@wgnd1614]

@@mohammadmehmood3405 many times?

[@BrandingBuff]

I already like Mike James that much more for the simple mentality that he has, I was one of the ones who couldn’t understand why he isn’t in the league but now this makes total sense. Great episode, keep up the great work!

[@ChenKhanwei]

Man Mike James was one of my favourite players and when he played for my Suns it was just an amazing feeling.

[@aaronhutchinson885]

Nah. He is in the right place. He van get off in Euro. He is an NBA talent, but like other guys who stay in Europe and play how they want, rather than be in training camp or one year deals. Being a 3rd team guard. His highlights are must see TV

[@Intellectually_Ignorant_brand]

Wow, this is my first time paying him, and his game any attention. You're correct it's some guys overseas that have better games than some current NBA players

[@highlightboy23]

Meanwhile, the original Mike James had a growth spurt for one season with the Raptors in the 2005-2006 season.

[@daREALtruestory]

That’s who I thought this video was about when I clicked on it lol

[@MAXIMUSWE]

Different Mike James lol

[@MAXIMUSWE]

Oh I read it wrong , my bad...that Mike James actually overachieved

[@MakingMovesMajor]

People dont realize this guy swept a team with Wemby and Bilal on it

[@boonebeasley9622]

In a bad league

[@Tomorrowomari]

Glad you did a video on Mike James he's one of my favorite basketball players. I think his impact of choosing to stay overseas will give alot of younger players on that journey confidence that you dont have to be in the nba to be great.

[@aboutmillions]

Mike James has GAME, game. He's cold af, but i remember him saying Steph Curry was one dimensional and that let me know all i needed to know about his Basketball IQ right there lmao

[@MitchellBahamas]

Has*

[@THEMANCURTIS]

Right. Lol

[@aboutmillions]

@@MitchellBahamas touche'

[@gamechanger114]

At one point in time perhaps even when he made his statement not sure, but Steph did play one-dimensional. I don't think he's ever had a one dimensional skillset. But like said he did play one-dimensional it's the primary reason a guy like Tristan Thompson and Kevin Love had big moments when they could guard him in single coverage. Same with an undersized guy like Matthew Dellavdeova. Back then, alot of times it was obvious he only wanted to shoot a 3. The past few years he's been less and less deadset on shooting a 3 in certain moments. Which makes him a much more versatile player and more difficult to guard.

[@ayo_fem1]

@@gamechanger114 I agree, if it was earlier in his career then fair enough but I'm pretty sure he made that comment last year, so definitely a weird thing to say.

[@Darksecret_23]

I’m glad he chose stability 💯

[@elonjoanwilliams614]

Can you do one on Gave York? If you haven’t already. This guy kinda in the video kinda reminds me of him. High flying undersized guard in the late 2000’s ballislife era….

[@nettyballball497]

Already did

[@matthewmesser]

I’ve never understood why he hasn’t got more chances. He’s shown he’s a bucket and can play. I still watch his KZbin highlights from high school. Dude was sick

[@manen.1350]

cause his ceiling in the nba is a really good sixth man or backup. Overseas he gets to be the star of the team and also probably gets paid more, plus Monaco is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. No brainer really

[@philippculture489]

@@manen.1350 The highest paid players in the Euroleague make 2 to 5 mil. And there aren't a lot of them. Mike James would make on a veteran minimun contract in the NBA more money than in the Euroleague. A really good 6th man in the NBA makes around 15mil. Which is way more than anyone in Europe makes. Most of the time people fail in the NBA due to their attitude. They don't listen to coaches, or think they know better than everyone else, think they should be the ballhandler,... Just his comment on Steph Curry alone would be a huge red flag for a lot of GM's.

[@manen.1350]

​@@philippculture489 regardless of pay, it's objectively better to be in beautiful Monaco and challenge for euroleague every year over being some backup or sixth man in some hellhole like detroit or NYC. Monaco also has no income tax so the money is also much closer than you think. Add to that monaco and europe is just objectively better to live in than the US. He knows he's not good enough to be the main piece of any nba contending team, it's just the smart choice to pick europe. As for attitude, it's more to do with his age and talent rather than attitude. Miles Bridges, Ja, Draymond, Harden and more players all did worse things than criticize Curry and they're still making huge money.

[@michaelsimmons2745]

Politics

[@jeffhardy6333]

No taxes in Monaco guys

[@jessearias2863]

Like I said before, jc as long as you make money living your dream it doesn't matter where. 😊 congrats Mike!!

[@g.o.a.tsports2880]

Mike James is a full 11 years older than Kira Lewis & Killian Hayes. Unfair to say they don’t deserve their spots

[@dtp_drip2659]

Kira Lewis maybe, but Killian absolutely sucks at basketball.

[@Theinsideoutsider]

Im with you im in Az and he stood out big time as a guy who could and should have been a solid backup pg for 10+ yrs. However youre also right that not just the nba but in life timing is as important as ability

[@kenfromstreetfighter3432]

That’s crazy mike James would always and still pops up on my IG explore page doing some nice shit and I’d be like “ dam that nigga better than Cameron Payne “😂😂😂 like mike James is cold asf

[@ShawnathanOakley]

This is a really good take on this situation.

[@313drepeso313]

Mike James definitely was one of my lowkey fav players!!! Only got hip to him at BK, but dude was nice frfr.

[@user-be7tc2bd6e]

I agree with you about his age ( 33 yrs old )and decision to keep playing over-seas,stay where you're-APPRECIATED-not-TOLERATED.But,ole dude has mad-hops tho.

[@jamesedwards8575]

I thought u was talking about the other Mike james from nyc..that was NBA journey man

[@Wolfmanlj]

Mike is VERY good professional..he deserved to play in the league for at least 10 years..enjoyed watching him

[@foxhound1500]

Can we get a video on the other Mike James too. Played for the Rockets, Pistons and a few others

[@ghost1235]

I have an great idea. In each video, cover teams, but go into details on what stunted them from getting a championship or even players on teams that had their careers stunted.

[@is.that.Mazzi.]

Mike James is definitely a guy I love to watch and I’ve emulated a little bit of his game and grown as a player and tbh he’s the reason I look at euro league as a other option vs chasing a unrealistic NBA dream.

[@psideTXdude03]

I remember when he was at Lamar University (Beaumont tx) and came off the bench scored 52 and posterized a dude in the same game..

[@buzzerbeater3350]

5:58 My man didn't just get crossed up. He slid to add insult to injury.HAHAHA😂HAHAHA

[@KB-313]

Killian is actually playing well recently.

[@michaelsimmons2745]

lol exactly!!

[@cassokon]

He's also one of my favorite guards to watch ball but his game has a lot to do with why he's not in the league. Not many teams are going to let a 6'1" guard do what he wants to on the court. In the Euroleague Mike has freedom. James would definitely play in the NBA if he was given the opportunity (and freedom).

[@C_Coop]

Super elite 🔥🔥

[@buzzerbeater3350]

This guy shot 38% from the field and 28.7% from 3 with a -14 NetRtg for his NBA career.

[@mercisaint2506]

Lol facts

[@mekhiah1987]

Lol literally, and mentioning Killian Hayes. I get Killian doesn’t score the best but his defense and playing making ability keeps him on the pistons. So I can see why he’s in the league vs Mike not being in the league

[@michaelsimmons2745]

Still a pro! Lol

[@buzzerbeater3350]

@@michaelsimmons2745 Not in the NBA.

[@Yoodoooo]

@@mekhiah1987Kira n killian are a a WHOLE DECADE younger than Mike 😂😂

[@johnatspray]

🏀 86k subscribers? WTF!? I’m a huge NBA fan and watches NBA content on KZbin all the time. This should be one of the main NBA channels. I mean at least 500k subscribers. At least!! And that would be low. Awesome quality content 👌

[@terrancevanliew1814]

I was just looking at videos of this guy yesterday due to him being thecstarting point gaird over Kemba Walker. Crazy timing.

[@ry_an.]

theres a reason dudes arent in the league man. 6'1, under 40% fg, couldnt defend, not an elite playmaker. Needs the ball needs to be scoring to be effective

[@NV_Tensa]

It’s a different game now. No such thing as traditional points. They’re all scores now. Looo at scoot Henderson. The boy is looking terrible. His shooting percentage all round is awful. And he’s not leading Portland in assists either. I’d rather have Mike James running that offense than scoot. But like you said, he’s undersized and if you’re not outperforming everyone on a nightly basis, it will be detrimental to your career. Mike can ball. Without a doubt.

[@joshp9667]

If only BKLN or PHX kept him he’s one of my favorite scorers his journey reminds me of one of my favorite lefty guards Marcus Williams

[@southeastd.c5636]

Mike James was Caruso before Caruso,he was definitely a hooper for the Heat......Like homie from the nuggets said "I was playing good,I was taking out of the game....the coach said "you did nothing wrong,but you prolly won't play for the rest of the season....the guys that make 20-30 million/yr will play the rest of the season.....And that's when I knew it wasn't about basketball,the nba is a BUSINESS"

[@PhiyackYuh]

Yeh bolshet moite. You think mundiaye was better then conley right 😂 you are delulu. Conley is much efficient than that bum bum 😂

[@tristateshawn]

💯

[@buzzerbeater3350]

When you said Mike James I thought you meant the guy who played for Duquesne and the 2004 NBA champion Detroit Pistons. I gotta admit I wasn't familiar with this Mike James.

[@justgeeek]

Loved Mike James on the Nets

[@ayoonine]

His game is equivalent to Jalen Bruson very crafty, creative and skilled. It feels like NBA politics sidelined him

[@Youdatguy]

Homie can hoop!! No denying he that. He made it and is living it out.

[@thatyungoutlaw1]

can u make one for james blackmon jr

[@itslight8294]

Mike is such a bucket he better than half the league I swear

[@rjnaruto1]

A Quincy Acy video would be cool

[@wilm567]

I thought Lamelo was gonna get bodied but those years overseas had me eating crow. But also playing overseas is a benefit in the game of life.

[@Yourcousinjoseph]

He’s the man

[@elburto5387]

With his poor shooting percentage and assist to turnover ratio - how was he going to stay in the NBA as his age?

[@chuckplaysgames7925]

Lmao dont speak facts. All mikes biggest fans are in the comments saying how amazing he was

[@cashke2164]

I need dat Corey sanders Vid!!!

[@Deeman15]

had me in the work outs getting abused lol i had to tell folks aint to many ppl in the world he cant do that to lol

[@Lola23339]

Mike James should be in the NBA!

[@inandoutoftheabyss9953]

you know the other mike james? He was a BAller too.... HOnestly, there was another guy, similar build, who mighthavebeen a 3rd Mike JAmes. I can't remember his name, buthe dropped 30 a couple times and hada sick reverse dunk... he was on the clippers for a sec...I dont remember if he was also Mike James, though..

[@noahmaroto]

When I seen him on the Nets he was nice lol I don’t know why they didn’t keep him

[@takeover5449]

Nba rented Mike like a block Buster movie

[@20getmoneyy]

Need to do one on Chris Clemons

[@michaeldufour388]

Ima fan of mike James he a beast no bs

[@Samsonmanase]

He balls out in Monaco

[@AirMcCants11s]

Best scorer of euroleague history

[@pedroramirez0824]

he was never gonna have a 10 year career lol, small guard who can’t defend, shot less than 38% from both the field and 3… that’s not gonna get it done averaging 7ppg.

[@pp3k3jamail]

💥💥I'm not going to lie if i was a NBA player and i wasn't getting a legitimate shot i would rather play overseas then the NBA.

[@terrenceliburd8655]

Never hesrd of him.

[@zelexen]

Crazy hes euro mvp

[@thesaucepodcast3744]

How about a dual stunted growth and spurt of Jesse Jones aka Filayyy

[@jpsito9779]

Finally

[@mariogilbert4260]

When they say ATTITUDE AFFECTS ATTITUDE, his story is a PRIME example of not only having a NEGATIVE attitude(towards the NBA and the BUSINESS of the NBA) But also having a "I'm cool" attitude tells me your heart was NEVER in the game(@ least the NBA game). An average player telling the NBA "I don't care anymore" when you got a WHOLE LOT of B Ball players who are GRINDIN in whack ass/some pay/NO pay pick up leagues, D-league G-league college ball oversees ball would give anything to have the opportunities you had.. Yeah, This stunted growth was definitely a STUNTED GROWTH in ATTITUDE determines ALTITUDE

[@realjcoop182]

He saw the BS on the NBA and was fine rejecting it. Lol you're projecting a whole attitude and scenario. He gets paid well, less games and drama, he just wants to hoop and isn't in it for clout.

[@solost6855]

Ultimate play shot .

[@royalace2271]

What's the difference between Mike James and Fred Van Vleet? Why FVV is thriving in NBA but not Mike James?

[@IAmSolomon]

Fred is a better catch & shoot player + much stronger defender

[@mustaphakamara2806]

@@IAmSolomonnot only that Toronto also gave him time to build suns and nets didn’t give him time to

[@oriolinton]

i disargee slightly... Xram and Mike might be more skilled than those fellas but they dont have the same team chemistry or fit into systems the way some of those other guys do ... and if you notice, the league dont focus on guards like them anymore... they want bigs that do the work and i get it from a game standpoint... never the less... Mikes route was similar to mine and play style.. i was just as athletic ....he certainly has been further than me but i know his struggle and absolutely feel him about not caring about the NBA..once you have competed at that level and know that you can, you really just want to hoop if you are a real competitor ...it dont really matter where the heck you are at that point as long as you can take care of yourself, handle business, and play organized hoops ya dig ... for someone who loves basketball, just being in the game just feels good ... there are so many more things that matter in life that and its such a short period of time... good for him and anyone else who has had the chance to live the hoop dream and still have their sanity at the end or when they have certainly obtained their scrapes and bruises

[@PhiloFery]

Biggest thing the nba has over Leauge is bigger arena venues and overly expensive contracts. Realistically, if you getting paid six figures for bouncing and shooting a ball and are smart with your money, you’re probably already set after a few years

[@Hairyone713]

He’s. It that good

[@BenjiClips614]

Fred Vanfleet is still in the league and plays for Houston 😂

[@christianforthan23]

KD his best friend too so he was definitely generous to join the nets that year when he ain’t need too

[@kenfromstreetfighter3432]

Ngl killan haynes might be the first stunted growth while being a starter in the nba 😂

[@swim3699]

do Cory Jefferson

[@bighomie000]

Do Antony Davis

[@YBNmarinara]

No tax in Monaco either

[@buzzerbeater3350]

@4:54 Mike James is right about Steph Curry. It took a very special amount of circumstances for him to be successful.

[@theinktician]

He waited til 2022 to say it - after the success. If anything it comes off as salty. Why didn't he say it in 2015 when he WAS the primary ball hanlder and Draymond was averaging 3 assists while Steph was top 5 in that category? Every star needs special circumstances - but to pick them out, especially this late, is very telling. "As a point guard" lol.

[@buzzerbeater3350]

@@theinktician Well said. Real talk. 👍🏽

[@joedirt370]

Less than 9 ppg at 38% FG, 29% from 3, and 77% from FT for his career. In 2021 with Brooklyn, he average 8 ppg, 37% from the field, 36% from 3, and 78% from FT. I think he was just ass not that he doesn't want to go back. He is one of the best players in the world to play at the professional level, but just another 8-15 rotation player in the NBA. Literally hundreds if not thousands of similar level guys throughout the world fighting for those spots.

[@Deano88848]

He is Lebrons cousin for anyone who was wondering. (I dug deep and did research). White dad and mixed mom

[@hoodsrvnt]

That Guy

[@jeffreyharden-wj2fr]

Jonathan Bender-Darius Miles-Stromile Swift-Trajen Langdon-William Avery....starting 5 of stories...

[@SwitchB]

His career aint been the same since he claimed Steph Curry was 1 Dimensional 😂🤣

[@aramisherrera3449]

YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO YO MISS THE EURO ITS HIGHER THAN DOLLARS YEHHHAHA I LOVE JANES AS WELL

[@TheAlan11223]

I swear I rather take Mike James over Collin Sexton any day of the week. This guy game is beautiful. Unfortunately he wasn’t given good circumstances in his journey to the nba.

[@MrBryantRay1]

Mike James’ game is what Jay Williams would’ve looked like had the motorcycle wreck not happened.

[@deserthobo]

he's an undersized 2 guard who plays hero ball. thats why hes not in the league, not cause of politics. but u kno wat, he can say watever he wants cause hes making tons of money doing wat he loves.

[@cenvalleybasketball]

I hear u but we really gotta come to the reality of bball having major politics in it. it's a business and these players are investments, part of the reason load management is pushed so heavy. They pay out so heavily now they have to protect their investment. There's so many past and current players giving interviews now sharing the political side such as Emmanuel Mudiay and others. Being frank about coaches saying, "you're playing phenomenal right now, but I have to play u less because we're paying this other guard 20mil" that's out of a head coaches mouth. Can't say James isnt polished but guys like Kilian Hayes are still in the league extremely unpolished.

[@inandoutoftheabyss9953]

CraigPorterJr is a mini-Mike James....its too bad JBBickerstaff is afraid to play him and EmoniBates

[@X02Overdose]

This the same dude that said anybody in the league could do what Steph was doing in 2021? Lmfao

[@dxfifa]

Mike James is the lightskin Jimmer

[@Tay04723]

Lakers could use him rn

[@Major613]

Don't think his growth was stunted. Was he expected to make it to the league? Shiiid he made it.

[@johnr.7906]

Get to live overseas and get paid to play basketball? Sounds pretty sweet to me!

[@WesGilis]

Monaco clears

[@jwil757]

Hov said it best.. “Politics as usual”

[@HBCOU]

#bbn

[@WakethBaketh]

Best American in Europe

[@Yoodoooo]

How do you compare two players to this guy who are 10 years YOUNGER 😂😂 CMON BRUH DONT DO THAT

[@thunderking8925]

They didn't wanna sack their mama for the contract

[@garysalazar5279]

hard disagree here. Everyone who can play in the NBA is playing in the NBA. You either are not good enough when you got the opportunity or you dont have the mentality for making and staying in the league.