Damion James Talks Kevin Durant, Improvement & More

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With patience comes wisdom and with wisdom comes results, Damon James may only be 26 years of age but what he has gone through in his first 4 seasons of professional basketball have prepared him for the opportunity that awaits him next year in San Antonio. Drafted 24th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2010 NBA draft Damion James was looking to make an impact at the games highest level. Through 39 games played in his professional career he remains a relative unknown to most of the basketball world but those who are aware of the Texas native know he can play at the next level. He hasn’t been given the proper chance to really stick anywhere but while the world made him an after thought James locked in on becoming the best version of himself by making his first D-League all-star team this year as well as the D-League all-defensive 1st team. You may not know his name but next year you will see his game.

Damion James hasn’t even played half a seasons worth of NBA games in his career but don’t let that fool you, the man still has a lot of great basketball left in him. If you’re not familiar with Mr. James let me educate you about him. Back in 2006 he was the state of Texas Gatorade high school player of the year, a 5-star recruit and committed to play at the University of Texas. He played with some notable names on that 2007 Longhorns squad that went 25-10. Players such as D.J Augustin, Dexetr Pittman and Kevin Durant were some of the guys who he called his teammates during his freshman year. All of them are either in the NBA now or have been at some point. During his sophomore year he was deemed “The Most Athletic Player in college basketball” by ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale. He led the Longhorns to a Big 12 conference title and averaged a double-double while doing so, he was destined for greatness but his success in college has yet to transfer to the NBA level.

This year was his 2nd season in the D-League and after a trade that sent away Terrell Harris and former Laker Devin Ebanks I found myself with opportunity to cover the former Longhorn standout as he would play his last 14 games with the Texas Legends. What I saw from the day I first watched him at Dr.Pepper Arena was someone who simply did not belong at this level of basketball. He was getting done at a high level in Frisco, Texas and I was perplexed about why this guy hasn’t stuck anywhere in the league. He is athletic, can play defense and knock down some shots. You can’t sit here and tell me that Milwaukee Bucks, Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers or Los Angeles Lakers couldn’t find a spot for him. The aforementioned teams are full of scrubs and this guy has a chance to be a solid wing player in the NBA given the right amount of opportunity and coaching. In the 14 games I watched him with the Legends he averaged 21.1 points, 11.3 rebounds and shot 44.4% from the 3-point line. He simply didn’t belong in the D-League and he was bound to get called up sooner or later.

On April 3rd of this calendar year what I thought would happen came to fruition. Damion James was called up to the San Antonio Spurs where he would have a few games to showcase what he can do. He only played 5 games and averaged 10 minutes but I think he showed the Spurs coaching staff just enough to keep him around for next year. He is not currently on the playoff roster but according to this article (click here) James will be kept for development over the summer. Could you think of a better situation for this guy? The Spurs are an organization known for their exceptional player development and this guy is only 26 years-old with his best basketball in front of him. If all goes according to plan then he would be a perfect player for Greg Popovich’s system, he’s athletic, has length and can knockdown perimeter shots. If anything he will be just another wing defender the Spurs could use to throw at Kevin Durant and keep themselves as an elite ballclub for just one more season.

I think its an extraordinary opportunity James to have a chance to develop with the Spurs. At the end of March I had a chance to speak with him in one of the very last games before his call-up to the Spurs. James was very positive, “I just got to continue to work and get where I belong” he stated confidently. We discussed his improvements this year as well as where he thinks his college teammate Kevin Durant Ranks in the MVP discussion. Check it all out in the video above