Pablo Laso: 'Only Mike James can stop... Mike James'

Pablo Laso walked into the press conference with the calm demeanor of a man accustomed to pressure. But when Mike James was mentioned, his eyes lit up. "Only Mike James can stop Mike James," the Anadolu Efes head coach said, a slight smile that couldn't hide his caution. That statement wasn't just praise for his star pupil; it was a calculated admission of the biggest tactical gamble of his career. Efes has undergone a quiet but decisive power transition. From the Shane Larkin era – a pick-and-roll maestro whose speed and shooting terrified every defense – the Turkish club has shifted to a completely different model: handing the keys to Mike James, the greatest scorer in EuroLeague history. "After Larkin, we needed a player who would become the focal point of our offense," Laso explained. This isn't just a personnel change; it's a change in the team's offensive DNA. The difference between Larkin and James isn't just style; it's philosophy. Larkin was an artist of movement – he created opportunities for teammates through his own speed and gravity. James, by contrast, is a lone assassin. He can create points from step-back threes, mid-range pull-ups, and crafty finishes in the paint. This is a completely different player archetype, and Laso – who once built Real Madrid into a perfect ball-movement machine – now must adapt to a system built around isolation. "We can't be only his team," Laso added. "We won't flip a coin and wait for him to 'make every shot.'" This is a rare admission from a veteran coach: a system dependent on one star always carries inherent risk. But Laso isn't one to sit idle. The addition of Daron Russell – the EuroCup top scorer – is the clearest signal that Efes is building a "dual-engine" system to relieve pressure on James. Russell, a scoring guard in his late 20s, will serve as a secondary spark. He can create his own shot and run the offense when James is double-teamed or resting. But the biggest question is: can Russell's EuroCup scoring translate to EuroLeague effectiveness, where defensive intensity and physicality are completely different? History shows that EuroCup-to-EuroLeague translation is rarely seamless. Meanwhile, Papagiannis's absence at the start of the season is a difficult puzzle for Efes's frontcourt. The Greek center isn't just a defensive anchor; he's also a target in pick-and-roll situations. His absence forces Efes to adjust their lineup early on, potentially using smaller lineups or relying on other big men. From a data perspective, James is in the late stage of his prime. At 34-35, his scoring remains world-class, but physical decline is inevitable. However, James's game is built on skill and basketball IQ rather than athleticism – which typically allows guards to maintain elite production longer. Legends like Vassilis Spanoulis and Milos Teodosic were still playing at a high level well into their mid-30s. Laso, with his vast experience from Real Madrid, understands this. He isn't just managing a star; he's managing a legacy. "Mike is one of the greatest players in EuroLeague history," he said. "He's always a winner." But behind those praises lies a subtle strategy: Laso is trying to control the narrative about James – a player who has been labeled "difficult" in locker rooms. By publicly praising him, Laso is creating a positive environment for James to thrive. However, there's a harsh truth no one in the press room dared to say: history shows that teams overly dependent on one star often fail in the playoffs. Opponents will blitz, trap, and force the ball out of James's hands. Monaco's James-led teams in 2026-2026 saw their ceiling capped by over-reliance on isolation plays. Can Efes avoid that trap? The answer lies in the supporting cast. If Russell can become a real threat, if the shooters around him can punish open looks, and if the defense can hold when James rests – then Efes could be more than just a playoff team; they could be a genuine title contender. But if those pieces don't fit, James will have to carry too much, and the phrase "only Mike James can stop Mike James" will become a curse. The 2026-2026 EuroLeague season is approaching, and Efes stands at a historic crossroads. They won back-to-back titles (2026, 2026) with Larkin, and now they're betting on a completely different model. Laso, who faced criticism for failing to replicate success at Bayern Munich after leaving Real Madrid, now has a chance to prove he's still one of Europe's finest strategists. An empty arena doesn't kill basketball; it just strips the makeup off pretenders. Efes has chosen its path – a path full of risk but also full of potential glory. And at its center is Mike James, a player who can win a game by himself, but also lose it by himself. Laso understands this better than anyone. "Only Mike James can stop Mike James" – that's not just a quote; it's a warning, a challenge, and a promise. Can James overcome himself? Can Efes build a team strong enough to support their star? The season will answer all. But one thing is certain: European basketball is witnessing one of the most fascinating tactical experiments of the decade.