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Goubot · 02-14-2007, 01:52 PM

From detnews' McCosky

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...127/SPORTS0102

Quote:

Q. Chucky Atkins doesn't seem to be in the long-term plans for the Grizzlies. What is his contract situation? And wouldn't he fit what the Pistons are looking for?

A. Atkins is in the final year of his contract ($3 million) and will be looking for a long-term deal this summer. Yes, he is exactly the type of perimeter player the Pistons are looking for. And yes, the Pistons have made inquiries about him -- several, in fact. The problem is, Grizzlies president Jerry West wants to hang on to Atkins in case he needs to use his salary in a bigger deal.

Q. So there's no way the Pistons can get him?

A. It's a long shot. It depends on what happens with Pau Gasol. If the Grizzlies can find a deal to their liking that doesn't involve Atkins, there is a possibility the Pistons could land him. But it's more probable Atkins would be part of any Gasol package.

Q. Speaking of popular ex-Pistons unhappy in their current roles, Mike James has been benched in Minnesota. Any chance of the Pistons prying him away?

A. That, too, is a long shot. The Pistons already have talked to the Timberwolves about Nazr Mohammed for Marko Jaric or Troy Hudson. Mohammed and James both signed mid-level exception contracts last summer -- Mohammed for five years, James for four -- so the money would work.

But even though the Timberwolves have a glut of similarly skilled perimeter players, I can't believe they want to give up on James that quickly.

Also, if they were intent on trading James, my guess is general manager Kevin McHale would try to get a better deal. Besides, you have to know that he's not much interested in helping the coach he fired (Flip Saunders) win a championship.

And the Pistons would have to be a little concerned, too. With James, it would be like 2004. He would certainly offer a spark to that bench unit. But what about going forward? He's not going to be happy playing 10 to 15 minutes a night for the three remaining years on his contract. He fancies himself a starter.

That wouldn't be a deal-breaker for the Pistons because, worst-case scenario, they move him in the summer. Both parties would know going in James was only going to be a short-term solution. Still, I can't see Minnesota doing that deal.

Q. How come Flip Murray is still on the active roster? All he's getting is mop-up minutes, and he doesn't seem much interested in playing those.

A. Personally, I would rather Ronald Dupree be activated. He works his tail off and deserves to be in uniform. But the Pistons are trying to maintain some trade value for Murray. They don't want to completely bury him. I don't think they are fooling anybody, though.

Atkins is a pretty deadly offensive weapon right now, but as always, he's small and can't defend. He's pretty cheap right now as well, but I dunno if the Grizzlies are even looking to shop him. He certainly doesn't seem like he fits in with any long term plans of theirs.

As for Mike James, the mojo is gone. I dunno whether it's because he got a contract or what, but he's not playing well at all, he seems pretty passive at times, and he's half the player he was in Toronto. Even the dogged defensive effort we loved him for in our championship year is gone (that probably wasn't there in Toronto either, in fairness).

**Austin Kent** · 02-14-2007, 02:21 PM

Mike James was awful in Toronto. I used to love the guy after his time in Detroit, but now he's up there on the short list of players that I hate. He's so full of himself it's disgusting, hell, I could have put up numbers close to James' on the Raptors last year if I shot the ball every time I touched it. You can't blame ex-Raptors GM Rob Babcock for making the deal to get him at the beginning of last season, but I don't think Mike James + starters minutes = A self-obsessed shot machine. Mike James was phenomenal off the bench as the other half of the "pitbulls" with Lyndsey Hunter, but I can't imagine James buying into that role again.

Chucky Atkins? I'm down with that, but I can understand what Jerry West is saying, and don't really blame him for olding on to him if that's the case.

Goubot · 02-14-2007, 04:51 PM

I liked James in Detroit and the next when he finished the year in Houston. Last year he seemed like he shot with no conscience. His play also screamed fluke since it was a contract year and he had free reign to do what he wanted to on a bad team.

But for all of his shooting, he was pretty damn efficient. It's not a style of play conducive to successful basketball, but you can only fault the guy so much if he's making his shots. It seems like Bosh is better this year with Ford and Calderon though (and Bosh even has planar fasciitis), so maybe that's an indictment of James.

The way he's playing now, I wouldn't want him unless he was willing to revert to his role back in the day. There isn't a very good chance of that happening.

Atkins would work out better. He's cheaper and he's outplayed James this year. Memphis played at a snail's pace with Fratello, and they've sped it up with their new coach. Atkins has been really good offensively in both styles, but I dunno how he'd take a reduction in minutes.

BubblesTheLion · 02-14-2007, 07:07 PM

The Mike James Fan Club approves any trade back to the D.

**Ruff Draft** · 02-14-2007, 07:31 PM

I love Mike, but damn is he sucking. He's best off the bench that's for sure. Maybe Chucky is the real answer.

JoeD · 02-14-2007, 09:52 PM

I actually think Hunter looks really good right now. Beyond him and Chauncey we only need a injury insurance type of guy, and we have Murray for now, which isn't bad for a guy we will only play if an unlikely injury comes up.

In fact I'm happy with every position. I don't think we need any trades at all.

BubblesTheLion · 02-15-2007, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeD

I actually think Hunter looks really good right now. Beyond him and Chauncey we only need a injury insurance type of guy, and we have Murray for now, which isn't bad for a guy we will only play if an unlikely injury comes up.

In fact I'm happy with every position. I don't think we need any trades at all.

We need another guy who isn't flip Murray to come in and play the 2 , so Delfino can be our 3 backup. Rip needs more blow than he is getting.
James isn't going to take minutes from Hunter, he is going to play with him. "The Bulldogs"

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