At one time, James was the best rider on the planet, and not sure anyone would disagree with that statement whether you like him or not. He had a record going for a few years where he either won the SX race or crashed, nothing in between, win or blow up..... while that sounds silly, who can go that fast to win every time if he doesn't crash? No one else, not even McGrath. Then he was also extremely fast outdoors..... he was riding a 125 against the 250F's and winning when the 250f's clearly were the way to go. He was that fast that he could take an inferior bike and still win against the superior bikes because of his superior skill. I think he may have been the best 125cc 2 stroke rider of all time! Then he went out and put together a 24-0 outdoor MX season on a 450 against the best riders in the world, won every moto...... he was the best. BUT - age and injuries catch up to everyone, and you start to slow down no matter how good you are. We love our old warriors that can still get the job done in their sport, like Brett Farve, Peyton Manning, Alex Rodriguez, Kobe Bryant, Jaromir Jagr, Mike Larroco, Chad Reed and many others that have still been great at advanced ages in their chosen sport. James is there now, he's old for the sport of Professional SX / MX and he has had his share of injuries and set backs over the years. He's not the fastest guy on the track every time he stays upright anymore, and he has to work for it. But even in his slowed down old state, he's pretty good and can still run at the front end of the field. And with the right layout, the right dirt consistency, etc he might be the only guy to be able to do something on the track, and will still be able to win a race or two in a season. I don't think he has any championships left in him, because that would require a whole season of great races and I don't think he can last that long. But he's got enough left in him for someone to employ him as a professional rider and hope he gets 1-3 wins a years plus all the other hoopla that goes with him. He attracts attention still.....
So his career is waning, but given the choice between a proven winner like Peyton Manning or drafting a College Phenom like Johnny Manziel....... would you put your money on the new young guy or pay that old guy to hope he's still got enough skill left to win games for you? I think that answer is pretty clear from the people writing the checks..... safer played money is on the old proven winner, while the super risk takers go with the Johnny Manziels and hope for the miracle. James earned these rides now in his younger years when he was winning everything, and those young bucks gotta step up and knock him off his pedestal and prove they are better all the time, to get him out of that spot.
As for his concussion symptoms, I won't comment because it's different for every person and they are the only ones that know if their head is right or not. I hope he gets back to riding well and makes it interesting for a few races with some great racing. I love Dungey and KTM, but would like to see some good racing for my entertainment. James can provide that sometimes when he's riding well.