FanHouse Mike James

About 10 years ago, Nike had a hot basketball sneaker campaign called Nike freestyle. In what looks like an UNDRCRWN promotion, the Washington Wizards' young guns (and Mike James) have decided to create their own version of the freestyle ads. Here's a look at the vid:



(HT: First Cuts)

This has already been one of the most active trade deadlines in recent memory, and the Hornets, despite sitting pretty as the current No. 1 seed, didn't want to miss out on any fun. They didn't shake up their roster by adding a Jason Kidd or a Shaquille O'Neal or a Pau Gasol, but they are on the verge of making a smaller move that will nonetheless improve the team, sending Bobby Jackson to the Rockets for Bonzi Wells and Mike James.

Check out Jonathan Feigen's article in the Houston Chronicle for the fine print -- the Rockets are also getting rookie guard Adam Haluska, as well as the right to swap second-round picks -- but the real gist of it is that the Hornets will be adding some much needed depth while the Rockets are gaining a bit more salary flexibility. This deal is all but official -- it's just waiting the league office to open and grant it's stamp of approval.

This isn't just a straight salary dump for the Rockets -- Jackson does have some game left, and it helps that he's familiar with coach Rick Adelman from their time together back in Sacramento's heyday. But from where I sit, the Hornets are getting the better end of the deal. Both James and Wells are underrated reserves capable of making an instant impact on both ends of the court, especially with a needed change of scenery. Plus, they both have playoff experience, which will be important not only in the actual postseason but also in the stretch run as the Hornets try to hold off the five other teams within three games of their top seed.

Please be advised: Mascots are hilarious, especially giant, comedic bears (Bear City, anyone?). Mike James is a very funny man. The golf course is no place for bloodsport. Stir it all together and you've got one heck of a Rockets promo video.

At last count, there were five of them on the roster: Mike James, Rafer Alston, John Lucas, Steve Francis, and Aaron Brooks. Plus there's Luther Head, capable of manning the point, and Bob Sura, still under contract. What's even more astonishing--James, Francis and Brooks were all brought in this summer. Common sense said that someone had to go, most like Alston after his brushes with the law.

But according to the Rockets themselves, there's no problem whatsoever. For one thing, it's still training camp, and there's no such thing as real minutes yet. More importantly, though, is that in Rick Adelman's offense this might not be a problem. From The Houston Chronicle:

For much of the practice time, Adelman has had two point guards playing together. Even if someone is designated the point guard, the duties of both guards in the halfcourt sets are usually interchangeable. In the open floor, either could receive an outlet pass and direct the offense.

Rafer took it one step further:

"I think our offense, as long as you're making hard cuts and good picks, anybody can handle the ball, anybody can come off scoring

Houston has one of the league's best big men and is thinking title. They're not going to trot out some four-guard experiment, nor are these the guard to do that with. But as James points out, all these guys are good, and good player are good players. Why not make talent work for you instead of looking for excuses to run it out of town?

Previously on FanHouse
On Rick Adelman's Task

Steve Francis has spurned the Clippers, Heat and Mavericks to return to his original team, the Grizzlies err, the first team he ever played for, the Rockets. From the Houston Chronicle:

"I just hung up with Daryl (Morey, the Rockets general manager)," [Francis' agent Jeff] Fried said. "He is dealing with facilitating the contract.

"It's a combination of a variety of factors including the fit with the team, a comfortableness with the organization and a familiarity with the surroundings. He has a home in Houston. In so many ways, it has remained his home, despite some interim stops, Orlando and New York.

"For Steve, it's coming home."

A lot of people (including myself) figured Francis was a shoe-in to sign with the Clippers, where he would be reunited with man-friend Cuttino Mobley. But as FanHouse reader cdrive pointed out, Francis has a pretty good friendship with Yao Ming, as well, which may have been a factor.

Either way, he now becomes the fifth point guard on the roster, joining Mike James, Rafer Alston, John Lucas and rookie Aaron Brooks. Needless to say, don't be surprised if the Rockets aren't done dealing, as they could certainly stand to thin out some of that bloated backcourt depth.