<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">THE TORONTO Raptors may be on the verge of signing another one of Europe's top point guards. The EITB website, along with several Spanish newspapers, says Jose Manuel Calderon, 24, who starred for TAU Ceramica of the Euroleague this past season, will leave Spain to play for the Raptors. The signing, the sources say, will be announced on Friday, the first day NBA free agents can be signed. The 6-foot-3 Calderon, who declined a two-year contract from the Milwaukee Bucks a year ago, averaged 12 points and 2.9 assists this past season in the Euroleague and hit 46.6% of his three-point attempts. He also played in the Athens Olympics. The Raptors already are negotiating with another top European point guard -- Croatia's Roko Ukic -- whom they selected in the second round, 41st overall, in the NBA draft last month. </div> Link I guess this brings in even MORE competition for Rafer and this will also probably mean that Alvin's chance of making a comeback are very slim.
I already posted about this in the other thread, but thanks for making a thread. Some of you might point out that his assist number is low, but that is due to the European rules regarding assists being much more strict. If Calderon is signed, it most likely means that Omar Cook will have to find another suitor.
I read some scouting reports on him from ESPN and other Euro sites, that said he's kind of a shooting guard in a point guard body. That may explain the low number of assists. I'd rather have Cook, since he obviously a true point guard.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting R_ChutneY:</div><div class="quote_post">I read some scouting reports on him from ESPN and other Euro sites, that said he's kind of a shooting guard in a point guard body. That may explain the low number of assists. I'd rather have Cook, since he obviously a true point guard.</div> I read the exact opposite.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Banks:</div><div class="quote_post">I read the exact opposite.</div> Yup. The guy ain't a 2-guard. But he isn't a pure playmaker either. He's something of a combo guard if anything.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Banks:</div><div class="quote_post">I read the exact opposite.</div> Yup. The guy ain't a 2-guard. But he isn't a pure playmaker either. He's something of a combo guard if anything.
My question is what does he bring to the Raptors? I really haven't followed too many Europeans outside of the French ones. Does he have any unique skills?
He shoots from the 3-point line really well, he has good penetrating ability, he's a good passer off the dribble penetration, and he's strong and athletic for a European PG at 205 lbs and 30 something inch vertical. Basically he is everything you want in a third point guard on your team.
I've heard he's gone through entire games without even shooting the ball but just play-making.. and dishing out assist..
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting asdf:</div><div class="quote_post">I guess this brings in even MORE competition for Rafer and this will also probably mean that Alvin's chance of making a comeback are very slim.</div> I hope Alvin can make a comeback, he was a very underated player, he played hard nosed D (you can't ask for better D or more hustle), he was a vocal leader and ever more so he lead by example, he could shoot the ball, he is 6'5" and has a dirty crossover, and he is big money down the stretch of games, he is one of my favourite players and I feel sorry for what injuries have done to his career. He played injured since day one, imagine if he was perfectly healthy...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting BlueBayou87:</div><div class="quote_post">I hope Alvin can make a comeback, he was a very underated player, he played hard nosed D (you can't ask for better D or more hustle), he was a vocal leader and ever more so he lead by example, he could shoot the ball, he is 6'5" and has a dirty crossover, and he is big money down the stretch of games, he is one of my favourite players and I feel sorry for what injuries have done to his career. He played injured since day one, imagine if he was perfectly healthy...</div> Yea I agree but I was thinking is if we bring in Calderon, I thought that Alvin could play the two.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I read the exact opposite.</div> Yea, I haven't really found a definite source that I could base an argument on. Mostly opinions and analysis. Anyone have a link to a scouting report? Well, I wouldn't mind having a bit of a project for our 3rd point guard. You can afford to take risks there, and it's good to see that, unlike Grunwald, Babcock seems to know what he's doing with European players.
What I've read about Calderon is that he is more in the mold of a pure point guard, whereas Ukic is the type who will score and penetrate, take shots, take over a game etc. Apparently Calderon can orcestrate the tempo and offense, and go through a whole game without even taking shot... a pure PG mould. I think this will be a good signing.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mr.Wade:</div><div class="quote_post">What I've read about Calderon is that he is more in the mold of a pure point guard, whereas Ukic is the type who will score and penetrate, take shots, take over a game etc. Apparently Calderon can orcestrate the tempo and offense, and go through a whole game without even taking shot... a pure PG mould. I think this will be a good signing.</div> That's exactly the opposite of what I've come across and what my Croatian friends are saying. Ukic is the pure point guard, despite his height, and Calderon is more of a combo guard who has an above-average court vision and a nice three point shooting ability. Ukic's stats might point to the fact that he is more of a scorer, but that doesn't do him any justice because he was the best player on his team and therefore had to take shots. When he played for the Croatian National team, he actively looked for open teammates and looked to pass, rather than take his own shots. It'll be a good signing nevertheless.
Yea, that's why we can't be sure of any of our predictions until we see them play. Looking on the internet you can find so many description of these players that vary. Babcock just answered some questions from Swirsky and he disagreed with what VinKanaddy said, but I've seen reports that have agreed with what he said. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Is he a different player than Ukic? "Very different. Roko is more of a creative, get in the paint, make plays point guard. Roko is a combo guard. Roko is 6-5 in his bare feet. Jose is much more of a classic point guard who might go an entire game and not take a shot. </div>
Who Do You think is going to replace Alston (because it will happen) 2 weeks into the season. Roko or Jose
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Dunkzilla20:</div><div class="quote_post">Who Do You think is going to replace Alston (because it will happen) 2 weeks into the season. Roko or Jose</div> You can't assume that Ukic or Jose (who we didnt even sign yet) will, or will EVER be at the level of Alston. Yeah, so they can play in Europe, but I don't think 2 weeks into the season will justify their promotion, or Alston's DEmotion quite yet... No matter how inconsistent Alston was, he still did average 14 and 6...
but ukic has proven himself over and over again, whether it was through interleague play or nationally for the croatian team!! alston is jus a sttreetballer... sry to say that but its true
Alston still has potential to be a very very very good starting PG in this league. If he can get rid of his streetball mentality but keep his intensity and heart he's top 10 in my opinion. 14 and 6 for a PG that had more problems than Artest lol....not too bad.
I just like the dynamic game that Ukic and Calderon will provide over Alston. Alston will start over them for the beginning of the season, and then Mitchell will slowly start to turn the starting guard duty over to Ukic. If Rose is traded, Ukic and Calderon will start for our backcourt.
