James, party of 3
Posted: May 3, 2005
LeBron James might have missed the party, but Jameses still have made an impact in the playoffs.
Jerome James, Sonics. See the pudgy 7-1 center dominate the Kings. He has been the best James in the playoffs -- not to mention, as one scout says, "the biggest positive surprise." The strong showing means two things: Kings center Brad Miller is nowhere near 100 percent, and James knows a good run at the right time will help when he becomes a free agent this summer.
Mike James, Rockets. A backup point guard, James has a ring from his days with the Pistons and has been bringing it out to motivate his ringless teammates. Against the Mavericks, James also has been handling the ball as much as any Rocket not named Tracy McGrady. Of course, that's not much. At one point late in a tense Game 3, James came for the ball and McGrady waved him off. T-Mac's unspoken message: If you want another ring, get out of my way.
James Posey, Grizzlies. Not all the Jameses have made a positive impact. Posey was the Grizzlies' most consistent player in 2003-04, but he never got rolling in an injury-filled '04-05 season. Then, like his teammates, Posey buckled under the pressure of playing in the playoffs against the Suns. But unlike the most famous James, at least this James made it to the postseason.
Stan McNeal is a managing editor for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@aportingnews.com. » More McNeal analysis| More NBA analysis | 
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