Tim Cone calls Mays ‘Mr. Everywhere’
James Mays was one of the early birds among this batch of imports but he hardly made a noise coming into the conference.
He was a silent spectator during the Philippine Cup Finals where the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers, who won their second straight championship. He admitted there was a pressure coming in, but guaranteed to bring the Mixers back in the playoffs.
But Mays was far from spectacular during his conference debut. Against the winless GlobalPort Batang Pier, he could only pile up 15 points and six rebounds.
So when Mays was pitted against the highlytouted Leon Rodgers of Barangay Ginebra in the much awaited Manila Clasico, he was hardly given a chance to measure up.
To everybody’s surprise and amazement, the San Mig import outperformed Rodgers to lead the Mixers to a big 9080 victory against their rivals.
Mays dropped 29 points and grabbed 29 rebounds, the second-best output this conference next to Talk ‘ N Text import Richard Howell’s 30 during his conference-debut.
He also helped the Mixers in slowing down Rodgers, who wound up with 35 points but was held to just three in the fourth quarter.
“We didn’t see that in his first game, but we saw that tonight. He’s a real key in our win,” Cone told reporters after the game. “We can really be a contender this conference with him.”
Mays was all over the court. If he’s not busy challenging the shots of Ginebra, he’s out there running after the loose balls and outboxing the Kings’ frontline for the rebounds.
He even outrebounded the whole Ginebra team, 12- 11, on the offensive glass.
“He’s just everywhere. His motor is really high. He’s a tall Rudy Hatfield who gets the loose ball and the loose rebounds,” Cone told reporters after making it two in a row.
Cone went on to say that if Marqus Blakely is Mr. Everything, then Mays is Mr. Everywhere.
“That’s a great compliment coming from coach (Tim). They had a lot good imports who came before me but I’m just glad they have a lot of confidence in me and just allow me to feel more free and comfortable in the offense and stuff,” Mays said.
Mays, who went undrafted in the NBA in 2008 then bounced from DLeague to China, Puerto Rico and Turkey before coming over, knows he just needs to blend in after watching the Mixers won the Philippine Cup title two weeks ago.