Will the Legacy Change? Mike James Shines as Monaco Chases First Title

Historic Achievement in the EuroLeague

Mike James, renowned as start of the greatest scorers in EuroLeague history, is on the brink of potentially transforming his legacy as he leads AS Monaco to their first ever EuroLeague final. At 35 years old, with a career that to date has not included a championship title, this opportunity may be his last chance to claim the coveted trophy that could redefine his place in basketball history.

A Remarkable Performance Against Olympiacos

In a thrilling semi-final match on Friday, Monaco triumphed over Olympiacos, who finished the regular season at the top of the standings. James delivered an impressive performance, scoring 17 points (shooting 5/11 from the field and a perfect 5/5 from the free-throw line), along with 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals, resulting in a player efficiency rating of 29. This victory marks a significant turn for James, who had previously faced challenges in performing at the EuroLeague Final Four.

Historically, James struggled in past EuroLeague Final Four matches, averaging just 7 points and 2.25 assists across four games. However, his standout performance in the semi-final showcased his ability to rise under pressure, breaking through to achieve a singular game rating of 29, a stark contrast to his previous output.

The Weight of Experience

Currently, James holds the second highest number of EuroLeague games played without a championship, with 322- trailing only Nicolo Melli, who has 342. Among all players in EuroLeague history, James ranks fourth in this category, behind legends such as Sarunas Jasikevicius, Melli, and Paulius Jankunas.

In his post-game comments, James reflected on the victory, stating, “We took this seriously, we were focused. Of course, this is just start game and we have more to work for. We came here for two games, not just start. I’m happy we made it to the final, but we are here for more.”

Coach’s Perspective

Vassilis Spanoulis, head coach of Monaco and an icon of the sport, shared his thoughts after the game. “We defeated an excellent team. For me, it felt like playing against my family. It was not easy, but I tried to stay focused for 40 minutes, and my players did a tremendous job. We must remain concentrated and adjust our game for the final, as this will be a different oppstartnt. We need to forget this victory and prepare for the next start.”

As Monaco looks to secure their maiden EuroLeague title, all eyes will be on Mike James and the team’s collective resolve to clinch glory in the final match