Rockets to sign James White to 10 day contract

[Indazone]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6286398.html

Head will likely be replaced on the roster by high-scoring NBA Development League forward James White of the Anaheim Arsenal. The Rockets were close to signing White to a 10-day contract, a person with knowledge of the move said on Saturday, and White was held out of Saturday’s game.

James White was originally drafted by the Spurs and then cut.

EzeAcPik4_s

R8yHQ15TdHU

[tomtom]

Is this guy any good? Heard of him but don't know much about him. Those are some nasty dunks, no wonder hes no longer a spur :lol

[Austin_Toros]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6286398.html

Head will likely be replaced on the roster by high-scoring NBA Development League forward James White of the Anaheim Arsenal. The Rockets were close to signing White to a 10-day contract, a person with knowledge of the move said on Saturday, and White was held out of Saturday’s game.

James White was originally drafted by the Spurs and then cut.


I think Indiana originally drafted him and the Spurs signed him as a FA.

But it's good to see he might be signed, especially after some great play in the D-League.

[Hemotivo]

!

[sook]

lol who cares

[wireonfire]

Next Gerald Green?

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

motherfucker

[Indazone]

Compilation of James White Dunks on his way to winning the Slam Dunk Contest in the D League

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/2009-NBA-D-League-Slam-Dunk-Contest-3112/

The NBA D-League held its annual slam dunk contest last Friday night in Phoenix, Arizona. The '09 incarnation brought us an epic battle between the Anaheim Arsenal's James White and the Tulsa 66ers' Keith Clark. You may remember James "Flight (http://www.draftexpress.com/article/2009-NBA-D-League-Slam-Dunk-Contest-3112/#)" White from his college days at Cincinnati, the high price paid for him on draft night, or his stint with the San Antonio Spurs in 2006-07. Clark, however, is not as well known. He decided to play in the D-League after being declared academically ineligible at Oklahoma. He is following the path of the Los Angeles Clippers' Mike Taylor and will be eligible for the 2009 NBA Draft -- which makes him of particular interest to us here at DraftExpress.

[Indazone]

January 7, 2009
James White (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/James-White-71/) is an interesting developing story in Anaheim. He is second in the league in scoring, averaging 22.9 points per game, while shooting a sensational 55.3% from the field. And he’s not just dunking the ball to keep the percentage high. He is using his superior foot speed and first dribble to drive by the defender and finish at the rim with a variety of lay-ups and short shots.

Additionally, his midrange game has also greatly improved, as he has consistently hit his jump shots, often by keeping the defender on his heels with the threat of his deadly drive, allowing him to pull up sharply and hit the open jumper—in truly impressive fashion. His form is significantly improved and he gets his shot off quickly while using his athleticism to create outstanding separation from his defender. His long range shooting percentage is not as consistent as we would like to see, but he is still shooting a respectable 35% from behind the arc, on about 3.5 attempts per game. The improvement to his form and the open shots he’s drawing should start to nudge that number up over the course of the season.

Defensively, he looks pretty solid, able to read the passing lanes effectively and use his superior athleticism and wingspan to guard most D-league players, ranging from point guards to power forwards even. Coming off the bench as a lock down defender with elite athleticism is probably where his role in the NBAhttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/mag-glass_10x10.gif (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/James-White-71/#) would have to be right now—which means focusing even more on his abilities on the defensive end. However, his developing offensive game and ball handling skills certainly give him a tremendous amount of upside even this late into his career, despite being already 26 years old.

White still has a tendency to complain animatedly after any foul call made against him – a big red flag for NBA teams. He also occasionally shrugs his shoulder when the offensive play is not called for him and looks uninvolved, a problem which plagued him on occasion in college where he would go through long stretches without being involved in the action. His body language has never been his strong suit after all. These attitude problems are going to need to be investigated by NBA teams before they call him up, as teams are hesitant to add role players mid-season that might bring drama or baggage. However, his all-around game and athleticism is certainly worthy of a call-up to the big leagues this season.

James White, Knocking on the NBA's Door, Againby: Jim HlavacFebruary 12, 2009In a league that prides itself in developing players, no one player has shown as much improvement this season as NBA D-League All-Star James White (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/James-White-71/) of the Anaheim Arsenal. The 6’7” White is second in the league in scoring with 25.8 points per game and has scored 20 or more points in 21 consecutive games. White will be one of four players participating in the D-League's Slam-Dunk Contest (http://www.nba.com/dleague/news/2009_dream_factory.html) on Friday night, as well as the D-League All-Star game (http://www.nba.com/dleague/news/allstar2009.html) on Saturday afternoon (NBA TV, 4 PM EST).

“Coach [Sam] Vincent put me in a role as being one of the primary scorers on the team”, said White. “I’m getting shots up and just looking for my shot more, which I’ve really never been able to do on any other team I played for.”

The trust placed upon him by Vincent has paid off for White and the Arsenal, as he has connected on 55.5% of his shots and 40% from behind the arc.

http://www.draftexpress.com/gallery/General/1234415836.jpgIcon SMI

Assistant Coach Paul Mokeski (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Paul-Mokeski-3636/) agrees, “Every game I look up, he’s got 30 points.”

White’s biggest development, however, has been his attitude and approach to the game. He has a bad reputation, and whether it is deserving or not, it has stuck to him.

When White entered the NBA draft out of Cincinnati, he was the 31st pick overall. Yet in this year’s D-League draft, this first round talent saw 24 players picked ahead of him. And there was some concern in the Anaheim war room of taking him at all.

“He had a reputation of being kind of volatile,” says Mokeski. A reputation that Mokeski hasn’t seen this season. “I really like James. He works hard and he’s a professional”

White wasn’t even supposed to play in the D-League this season. After winning a championship in Turkey with Fenerbahce Ulker last season and an NBA championship with the Spurs the year before, White expected to be signed by an NBA team for this season. When that fell through, he signed to play in China. However when he arrived in China, he wasn’t paid, and decided to return back to the United States to pursuit a career in the NBA.

The trip to China was not a lost cause, as his Dad gave him a book to read, “Mind Gym” by Gary Mack and David Casstevens.

“It’s a book that talks about focusing and visualizing and things like that,” says White. “I’ve been incorporating it into my game. I’m staying focused and looking at the plays before they happen. It’s really helped me slow the game down.”

White has always been, and will always be, an emotional player. He just needs to refine his emotions on the court and the book has helped him see that.

“Everybody thinks I have a bad attitude or I’m a bad guy because I show emotion. But that’s what fuels me to play, my emotion.”

He also now understands that he needs to control his emotion on the court. Earlier in the season, White would often contest calls the referees made, but he realizes that they are just doing their job and he needs to stay focused.

“I’m trying to calm down and leave the refs alone. The last three or four weeks I’ve really been working at it.”

His efforts have not gone unnoticed by Coach Mokeski. “The non-reactions he has now to the bad calls are a big difference. It’s not the big blown up reaction, it’s just a little reaction and that’s been a huge difference. It’s really helped his game.”

So now White just waits for the rest of the basketball world to see how he has developed this season. “I’ve figured out the scoring part at this level, so I’m going to pick it up on defense a little, get more rebounds, do more stuff other than scoring.”

With all the raw talent and athleticism that made White the 31st pick overall in 2006, he should be getting a look at the NBA before the end of the year. If that comes, White will be ready.

“I can’t do the same thing for them (NBA) that I do here (in the D-League), but in practice, I can show them that I can play. Whatever role they ask me to play, I’ll play that role.”

“In Europe, I was more like an energy guy. It was a different role I played. But that’s what they asked me to play.”

So while White waits for the call-up, he continues to work on his attitude all thanks to a little “Mind Gym.”

[mystargtr34]

James White would have won the NBA Dunk Contest with his Dunks in the D-League Contest. Pretty good signing i think, he looks like hes added a bit to his game - but i cant see him contributing on a playoff team, especially in the West. But whether he contributes or not, i think we can all agree,

James White > Luther Head.

[Trainwreck2100]

JAMES MOTHERFUCKING WHITE MOTHERFUCKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!1




thread

[ManuTP9]

James White>T-mac

[DANILO DRASKOVIC]

Flight!

[velik_m]

!

[mogrovejo]

They were also considering a very interesting player, Othyus Jeffers. White has been developing his game, hopefully he can stick.

[SlovenianGuy]

James White!

[nate0409]

didnt james white play for the spurs?

[Rogue]

rockets seem to have an obsession on acquiring former spurs, scola barry white... I bet bowen and fin will be next. :lol

[Chieflion]

I think Indiana originally drafted him and the Spurs signed him as a FA.

But it's good to see he might be signed, especially after some great play in the D-League.
True. He was drafted by the Pacers.
He screwed up big time with his athletism.

[Bartleby]

rockets seem to have an obsession on acquiring former spurs, scola barry white

Barry White!

[Hemotivo]

:lol

[ManuTP9]

didnt james white play for the spurs?

yeah

[Indazone]

rockets seem to have an obsession on acquiring former spurs, scola barry white... I bet bowen and fin will be next. :lol

That's ok, Spurs can pick up Luther Head off Waivers. :lol

[Indazone]

So who got head? :lmao

[m33p0]

That's ok, Spurs can pick up Luther Head off Waivers. :lol
no thanks. we have jacque vaughn!

[Findog]

White Flight!

[rapliketp]

They were also considering a very interesting player, Othyus Jeffers.
Where did you hear this?

[bigdog]

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