Do you think that it's a bigger challenge for your career to lead a team like Armani Milan to the Final Four?
"Yes of course. While i have been watching and paying attention to euroleague Milan has only been to the playoffs once so leading them to the final four is a great challenge".
During your first interviews in Italy you said that there you will have a role, which you couldn't have at Panathinaikos with Nick Calathes. Did you feel that you were limited at OAKA?
"No i don’t feel like i was limited at all. I just felt we had people on our team that were considered the best in Europe so i didn’t hold as much responsibility as i will in Milan".
Now you will play alongside Nemanja Nedovic. We all see that you trust a lot this duo. What have you said with him?
"We have talked a lot about what we want to accomplish this year and how we will go about playing. We both are very competitive and want to win and want to change the stereotype of Milan".
Spanoulis viral t-shirt "Give me the ball and get out of my fu***ng way" how much did actually express you as Mike James?
"I loved that T shirt and i actually wish i could find it but i mean sometimes to be a big player you have to have this mindset".
There is a feeling that you are player who first plays about himself. How would you estimate the thing that none of the teams with the big budgets like CSKA, Fener or Real, did not offer you any contract this summer? I am asking you, because you had great numbers and you have been in Euroleague's top level for three years now.
"I didn’t want to go to a big team. Last summer their were talks with teams but i wanted to be a leader not just another piece".
Before you agreed to sign with Armani there were some rumors that Panathinaikos had made an offer for you as well. Our website, sdna.gr, was the only one which reported at these days that this was not true and you confirmed us a few hours laters via Twitter. Why do you think that Panathinaikos didn't make any official offer for you this summer?
"They couldn’t afford to pay me and nick. Simple. They don’t have the budget to pay out two big contracts. I believe this is also why Chris didn’t resign".
How was it for you reading these days not only that you had an offer from Panathinaikos, but that you had rejected them as well, asking for more money?
"I didn’t care, it wasn’t true so it didn’t bother me at all".
Have you had any conversation with Dimitris Giannakopoulos after the greek finals? Also, what's your opinion about him?
"Yea, we talk more then people think or will probably ever know. We have a good relationship".
When you came back in Panathinaikos on February you said that you returned because there was an unfinished business, talking about Final Four. Does it bother you that you and the team left this businees unfinished two years in a row?
"No it doesn’t bother me. Simply because i gave my all and that’s all i can ask for".
Speaking about Panathinaikos, the Greens got Keith Langford to replace you. What's your opinion about him?
"I’m irreplaceable in my opinion so i don’t think he was brought in to replace me. He was brought in to be the new Keith Langford. And he will be amazing at being him"
When you came back last year, Nikos Pappas' playing time was limited. Do you think that this year he should have a more leading role from Panathinaikos?
"With Pappas it’s all a confidence thing. He is very talented and can take over games but when his confidence is low sometimes he over thinks. But when is good he one of the best Greek players in Europe".
Right after Panathinaikos' Game 4 in Madrid we read on Twitter from a valid reporter that you had agreed to terms with Armani, in which you finally signed. Was it true back then?
If you were a fan, after that loss in Madrid, and you were reading that Mike James signed to another club, how would you feel? I am asking you because after the finals you told me that you are laughing with these news. Now, I am asking you to be in a fan's shoes and tell me your opinion.
"I mean I’m not a fan so i really don’t know".
Speaking about Twitter, you had said to us, at SDNA, that you think this whole chat with the fans throught twitter is funny. It doesn't affect you? Not at all?
"No it’s funny. Entertainment and enjoy going back and forth with fans. Good and bad".
Do you think that other athletes should express themselves too through the social media and answer people's questions?
"Everybody is different and everybody handles things different as well. It’s the players personal decision".
I want to ask you something with a sense of humour. Mike James wouldn't leave without social media or without basketball?
"I would be fine without either one. Basketball and social media is not my life it’s just apart of my life".
