Starting For Spain is NOT like Starting in Toronto
I am so glad so many fans are ready to crown Jose Calderon King of the point guards and have moved on to T.J Ford trade talk. I never hide the fact that I am T.J Ford fan and really it would be easy to figure out if I did not tell you. I do however try to look at things with as an objective eye as I am capable of doing. I like Jose Calderon, I want him to remain a part of the Raptors. This is not to say I think you trade T.J Ford and toss him aside. Just because Calderon was excellent in his time as the starting point guard this season is not proof that he can do it all the time. Being the guy when you have an understanding that another guy is coming back is a much different thing than him not being here at all. I am sure Calderon is able to fill this roll, but to the level he played last season I have no reason to think that. Calderon often avoids the pressure and break down of his game. If T.J made a mistake, any mistake at all, you would read and hear about it everywhere. How will Jose perform in that bright spotlight. You could say he played well in World Championships that Spain won. That is true but it is not the same as a NBA season or even a NBA Playoff Series. Raptors don’t have a Pau Gasol ether. So if you are ready to throw Ford away for what you can get be prepared to see Jose face the same harsh evaluations that Ford did. Roko Ukic is not your counter to win this debate ether. Ukic has never played an NBA game in his life. No one knows including the Raptors to a degree what they have in Ukic.
Calderon needs to be included in the blame for this teams awful defence. In fact both point guards do. They both did a less than acceptable job of defending ball pressure. Calderon was awful at it. This team has defensive break downs as a result of poor point guard defence. Roko Ukic is not going to do better in year one in the NBA. I have not heard anyone talking about this kid being a great defender. I am not saying he may not be or could be but it will not happen in year one.
Calderon also plans on playing for Spain in the summer. I am cool with that. I just am not as cool with it without Ford on the roster. Can we expect Calderon to log more minutes after a long run in China prior to the season. The other thing that could happen as we learned with Jorge Garbajosa is injury. If there is no Ford you are going to have Roko Ukic a rookie as your starting point guard. How confident are you in the Raptors under that scenario. Under same situation if it is Ford you at least know what you have. The fact their is a market to trade Ford should tell you that he is a very good point guard. I am not sure what it is about Toronto Raptors fans, but they seem to have no mercy on point guards. Rafer Alston, Mike James, Chancey Billups, Chris Childs and on and on, they all got ripped by Rap fans. Jose has avoided that up to this point for the most part but he may get ate up by the Raptor fan base as well.
The gamble of trading Ford is to great a risk in my opinion. We have heard stories that Ford was a disruptive force in the media and if it is a case of that it might be a different story. The thing is Ford has never demanded a trade and only expressed his desire to be a starter and his lack of ability to be effective in a back up role. If Sam Mitchell remains the same in how he handles the duo I honestly don’t see a problem. Ford has not been on the floor the last two seasons in the 4th quarter with the season on the line. Jose may have not got his name called but when the team was in it’s most important quarter of basketball for past two seasons, He was on the floor not Ford. Isn’t that what matters to a guy that wants his team to win. Being on the floor when it matters most. This likely will not be last time this topic comes up. Shocking I know, perhaps some shocking picks for round 2 below. Well there is one. Check them out But one last point on this topic before we get to the picks..
Playoffs 2nd Round Picks
Dino Blogger was 6-2 in round 1
(Two on the Money Hornets in 5, and Cavs in 6 )
East
Boston vs Cleveland
The Celtics finally showed up in game 7. But if the Cavs get a performance from Lebron James in this series it will be a huge problem for Celtics. I think the Cavs have a axe to grind as everyone has been talking Celtics/Pistons the entire season. The Cavs are the defending Eastern Conference Champions and want respect. Best way to get some is beat the Celtics. Boston had a huge life and death experience in round 1. It may speak to the fact that teams need to experience the playoffs as a group. But that arguement would make sense if the Cavs were the same Cavs but they have many new faces thanks to the trade deadline suffle up of the roster.
Dino Blogger says Cavs shock Celtics in 6
Detroit vs Orlando
Orlando sent the Raptors packing in 5 games. Dwight Howard was the huge reason why. I was even starting to think Orlando had a chance to hang with the Pistons. A hand injury in game one to Superman may be a huge problem. The Pistons also got a wake up call courtesy of the 76ers in round 1. I have more faith that the Pistons got the message. I also think they are not in the same spot as Boston feeling they can come back and do it all again next year. Pistons are not getting any younger and see the window closing despite adding some fine young talent this year. For these 2 reasons I think Pistons can get it done.
Dino Blogger says Pistons in 6
West
L.A Lakers vs Utah
Kobe could win the M.V.P and unlike Dirk he will show you why. Lakers easily got by Nuggets. The Jazz lack of success on the road will proof a problem. Gasol and Odom have been a nice help to Kobe and they have a Big 3 in L.A that eventually will expand to 4 when Bynum returns. But for now 3 is enough. Jazz may be able to win a game or two but they don’t have enough horses to combat the Lakers.
Dino Blogger Says Lakers in 6
San Antonio vs New Orleans
The Hornets are the feel good story of these playoffs. They are led by their own M.V.P player in Chris Paul. The Spurs don’t really worry about M.V.P’s they have Championship M.V.P’s in Tony Parker and Tim Ducan. There is on fatal flaw in the Spur legacey. That is back to back Championships. The Hornets have the ignorance of youth. They don’t know they can’t beat the Spurs. They have the coach of the year in Byron Scott. He will need to keep his team loose and free. If they do not let reality enter in their minds they have a chance. Spurs made easy work of rival Suns but this is a much different challenge.
Dino Blogger Says BEST SERIES OF ROUND 2 and Spurs in 7
Tags: Bryan Colangelo, Jose Calderon, Raptors Offseason, Roko Ukic, Spain Basketball, T.J Ford
May 16, 2008 at 3:13 pm |
Calderon starting 56 games with no back-up for most but Dixon & Martin gives a pretty good indication of his performance under pressure in the NBA, with 9.1ast-13ppg-4.8ato-53%fg-45.3%3fg and top 5 PG ranking.
He was clearly the coaching staff’s choice to remain as a starter untill, the back-up situation with TJ caused a problem.
May 16, 2008 at 3:25 pm |
There is no doubt Jose was VERY good in his time in the starting role. The thing suggested in this blog is that he has never played in the role were he is the legit number 1 point guard. Meaning that it is clearly definded as such by organization.
T.J felt it was his job. You may not agree with that but I think he had every right to feel that way. This goes to a larger issue of can a player lose his job from injury. It does happen and people can give many examples. But the player who was injured can not be blamed for thinking that it is his job. Ford prior to his injury could have an arguement made he was the best player on this team at the time of his injury.
Thanks for your comments