By Antonis Stroggylakis / astroggylakis@eurohoops.net
ABU DHABI– A couple of years ago, NBA superstar and future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant talked about how he’s not bothered anymore with the concept of “legacy” since it’s mostly about comparisons between players’ achievements.
His friend and former teammate at the Brooklyn Nets Mike James carries a similar sentiment.
“I feel the same way [with Kevin Durant]. I think people put too much stock in ‘legacies’. James told Eurohoops. “My career is what it is. Kevin Durant’s career is what it is. Peoples’ careers is what it is. Just because there’s narrative around a legacy…. somebody else brings it down. Because you feel ‘I didn’t do something that you wanted me to do’. That doesn’t change anything in my career. My career is my career. Nobody can take it away.”
Regardless of Mike James’ opinion on the whole “legacy” conversation and the narratives around it, the AS Monaco superstar does have ahead of him an opportunity to climb higher in the ranks of the EuroLeague all-time greats, where he belongs either way.
Already a member of the All-25 EuroLeague Team, the competition’s all-time scoring leader, and collector of numerous individual accolades, including the 2024 MVP, James now is one win away from winning the title for the first time in his career.
All that stands between him and the elusive silverware is Turkish side Fenerbahce Beko in Sunday’s Final (25/5).
“High energy. Everybody is going to be a little excited. But energy [will be important]. 50 – 50 balls. Little stuff,” James mentioned on the key aspects of this matchup.
What Fenerbahce made loud and clear once more in their own semifinal win over defending champion Panathinaikos Athens is that have several players who can step up and become a major contributor. Devon Hall and Errick McCollum were the two notable examples of this against the Greens.
“They have a lot of weapons indeed,” James agreed. “It’s tough. They shoot the ball really well. They move the ball really well. Just got to be locked in. Pay attention to your matchups. Know your personnel. Hopefully, we’ll have a big game.”
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