Cat Chats: Brian James' NBA Stories

Northwestern men's basketball assistant coach Brian James spent 14 seasons in the NBA with a handful of franchises including the Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, Milwaukee Bucks and Washington Wizards. He sat down for a Cat Chat to share some of his favorite stories.

 

How did @CoachBrianJames become an assistant coach for the @WashWizards?

Well, Michael Jordan got involved in the contract negotiations. #TheLastDance#B1GCats | @jimmyjohns pic.twitter.com/FM90L3DZWw

— Northwestern Athletics (@NU_Sports) April 27, 2020

MJ never turned it off…not even in practice.

?? | @CoachBrianJames recalls how Michael Jordan always played to win. #B1GCats | @jimmyjohns pic.twitter.com/EDj6h2tzxd

— Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) April 26, 2020

We asked @CoachBrianJames to assemble his 3 on 3 team of NBA players he has coached:

Starters: MJ, @mrvincecarter15, @realgranthill33

Off the Bench: Tracy McGrady, Michael Redd, @TeamLou23

Thoughts?#B1GCats | @jimmyjohns pic.twitter.com/uI8yyrRjid

— Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) April 21, 2020

Story time with @CoachBrianJames:

Coach James was on the @WashWizards bench when Michael Jordan's streak of 866 consecutive games in double figures was snapped.

Moral of the story: NEVER. DOUBT. MJ. #B1GCats | @jimmyjohns pic.twitter.com/t5i4SKgnuC

— Northwestern Athletics (@NU_Sports) April 18, 2020

Cat Chats: If the ?? put his shoes on before his pants then we all should think about doing it that way. @NUMensBball asst. coach Brian James recalls some of Michael Jordan's superstitions. #GoCats | @jimmyjohns pic.twitter.com/4xGpefaJbz

— Northwestern Athletics (@NU_Sports) April 17, 2020