原文：http://www.startribune.com/511/story/861979.html
Wolves: James' game picks up
The Wolves guard has gotten on a little roll, and he hopes it's the start of
something big.
Mike James wanted it to happen so quickly, wanted to fit in so badly, that he
spent the first month of the season trying to shove a square peg through the
round basketball hoop.
James, the Timberwolves' big offseason acquisition, was struggling to hit
shots and to fit in with the offense. He was playing every night running the
point, but he was being weighed down by expectations, most of them his own.
"I was definitely wanting it so bad," James said Thursday. "I wanted to
perform at the level I know I can perform at so badly that I was finding
myself forcing a lot of things. The game wasn't comfortable. Now I'm just
finding my niche and playing the game. I'm having fun."
Three weeks ago, he was struggling and said he felt he was cheating the fans
and the organization. A week later, after going scoreless in back-to-back
games, he shared his disappointment.
In the past three games, though, James has made 23 of 39 shots (59 percent),
including seven of 14 three-pointers, and averaged 18.7 points.
Impressive, considering he was shooting 41 percent and averaging 10.8 points
in the 14 previous games.
"Everybody wanted me to start the season the way I left off last year with
Toronto," James said. "I was in a new season, with a new team, new
personalities, new environment. I'm just establishing myself, my identity.
Even my trust. It's hard to gain. You can't just ask someone to trust you.
... I'm starting to gain the trust of my teammates."
It was more about comfort than confidence, Wolves coach Dwane Casey said.
"It was a matter of [the players] getting to know each other," Casey said.
"His defense has been consistent. But within the offense, he's found spots --
pin-downs, situations in our secondary break -- where he can get his shots."
It helped that Casey has played James with another point guard -- either Troy
Hudson or rookie Randy Foye -- from time to time. James also says that
Casey's decision to play him more minutes was just as important.
And while that might be just one side of the chicken- and-egg discussion --
What comes first, good play or more minutes? -- James lately has had both.
James has averaged 32 minutes over the last three games.
"Playing time," James said. "Just being out on the court. You can't perform
if you're on the bench."
James says it simply, like a fact. Over the first month of the season, on
nights when he sat on the bench and watched during crunch time, he didn't
complain.
"I'm not going to start a beef, start a problem," he said. "It's not about
me, it's about the Timberwolves. At the end of the day that's all that
matters."
But James seems convinced that more playing time will translate into better
play. And he hopes the last three games are both proof and the start of
something bigger.
"I'm comfortable," James said. "I'm just letting the game flow instead of
worrying when I'll get my next shot or do my next move."
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