James signs with Celtics

By Shira Springer, Globe Staff, 7/25/2003

Free agent guard Mike James signed a one-year deal with the Celtics yesterday for the two-year veteran minimum of $639,000. The deal was completed at the team's practice facility in Waltham, giving James an opportunity to see his new home. He plans to spend the next two months familiarizing himself with the Celtics' system and coaching staff. James acknowledged he might take a lot of taxis and trains until he gets to know his new surroundings.

But as someone who grew up on Long Island as a staunch Yankees fan, James is well aware of the passion of Boston fans. After reluctantly confessing his baseball loyalties, James promised he would not wear his Yankee hats around town, though he may take in a game at Fenway Park today or tomorrow.

"The situation in Miami was a great situation, but I felt it was time for a change," said the 6-foot-2-inch James, who spent the first two years of his NBA career with the Heat. "I want to win. I really just want to be a part of a team that wants to win. They're not a team that is looking just to make it to the playoffs. They believe they're beyond just making the playoffs. They're a team that is looking to the next level and I want to be a part of that. I just saw the opportunity. Playing with Paul [Pierce] and Antoine [Walker], I felt like this would be a good situation for me."

Last season, James appeared in 78 games for the Heat with eight starts. He averaged 7.8 points, 3.2 assists, and 1.9 rebounds. The 28-year-old James is a combination guard very much like Tony Delk, though director of basketball operations Danny Ainge rates James a better ballhandler than Delk, but Delk as a better shooter. James liked the Celtics' plan to run next year, believing it's suited to his skills.

Initially, the Celtics offered Travis Best a veteran minimum deal. But it became a case of too little too late. According to Ainge, Best thought he could do better and wanted to explore his options. When James jumped at a veteran minimum offer, the Celtics went with him.

"I'm very excited," said Ainge. "I think it's a great get for us. I think Mike is a good complement to Marcus [Banks]. He's an experienced player. He's played in [Miami coach Pat] Riley's system. He knows the defensive schemes of the NBA. He's had to work hard to get to where he's at. He's a very hard working, high-caliber kid that can shoot and defend. He's a good, solid player who can give us a little bit more stability than a young Marcus Banks at times of the game."

When asked if James would back up Banks at point guard, Ainge said: "It's all speculation right now. I would assume that Marcus Banks would be a starter. I think that rookies probably perform better in a starting role and Mike James is used to coming off the bench. Depending on how Marcus is going, Mike can play more minutes in a particular game. Maybe [coach] Jim [O'Brien] will feel more comfortable with a veteran player that's played finishing games."

According to Ainge, the Celtics' deal with second-round pick Brandon Hunter "will be done shortly" since the sides agreed to terms Thursday. When Hunter signs, the Celtics will have 15 players under contract, the maximum allowed. A trade remains a distinct possibility. As long as Ainge stays within his budget, he can make moves.

"We are trying to operate a business at a break-even number and win," said Ainge. "The owners are not trying to make a killing in this business. But they don't want to lose money and we have certain budget restrictions to work on. They're not opposed 15 or 13 or 14 [players on the roster]. It has more to do with trying to build the best team we can within our budget restraints. That's my job.

"We are certainly not done. I'm on the phone still trying to improve our team. But I don't have anything in the works as of right now. [Forward] Jumaine Jones is a guy that I would like to acquire. How that's going to happen is still up in the air. I'm still trying to figure a way to do that within our budget. And I may or may not be able to that one. So I don't really envision that we will have these same 15 players on opening night, but we might have 15. I just don't know the answer to that."