<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> </p> <h3>Best Combination ... No Controversy</h3> </p> Any Bulls fans bemoaning Kirk Hinrich's difficulty protecting the ball didn't need to see Jose Calderon's performance.</p> </p> The Raptors point guard, starting in place of the injured T.J. Ford, committed his first turnover in 80 minutes during the fourth quarter. Calderon, who had 25 assists in that span, finished with a career-high 14 assists against the Bulls.</p> </p> "We feel we have the best combination of point guards in the league, and very rarely are both of them going to struggle," Raptors coach Sam Mitchell said. "A lot of times, they both play well. That's why we haven't entertained the idea of moving either of them." -- <font color="#000000">Chicago Tribune</font></p> </p> </p> [*]Don't try to drag Calderon into any point-guard controversy. After logging back-to-back 40-minute games and being picked up full-court by dogged Kirk Hinrich all afternoon yesterday, he can see the argument for a strong bullpen. </p> "I enjoy playing a lot of minutes," Calderon said. "But how I feel about the team right now is that we need T.J. Ford on Wednesday." -- <font color="#000000">Toronto Globe and Mail</font></p></div> </p>
I just hope Calderon signs back after this season, if he leaves the Raptors to be a starter we will be kicking our selves because he will blossom into a star in the NBA. Now there really is nothing flashy about Calderon he just plays within control, distributes the ball and takes good shots.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MosDefinitely)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> I just hope Calderon signs back after this season, if he leaves the Raptors to be a starter we will be kicking our selves because he will blossom into a star in the NBA. Now there really is nothing flashy about Calderon he just plays within control, distributes the ball and takes good shots.</p> </div></p> </p> And there aren't enough players like that in the NBA. He just does what he's supposed to do: He sets up his teammates, sets up the offense, and hits shots when needed.</p>
I don't know if this is a stretch, but I would like to compare him to John Stockton in terms of no-flash, being unselfish and very under-rated. Thoughts? Calderon is very efficient though and plays towards almost all his strengths.</p>
Stockton had way more flair than Jose but both were/are passionate players.</p> I love Jose but without an extension I'd be shopping him in a month or two when nearly every GM will be willing to give up something good.</p> Here it is: Jose, Rasho, Dixon and Hump/Garbo for JO. I'm not a fan of his but just like making up trades.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (hollagr8)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> I don't know if this is a stretch, but I would like to compare him to John Stockton in terms of no-flash, being unselfish and very under-rated. Thoughts? Calderon is very efficient though and plays towards almost all his strengths.</p> </div></p> </p> </p>
Its great watching this excellent PG play after suffering through the years Milt Palacio, Mike James, Rafer Alston, Lindsay Hunter, Chris Childs anyone remember the Omar Cook, Andre Barret experiment? anway I don't think we have had a pure PG since Mark Jackson was tossing alley-oops on the regular to "he who must not be named". Thats not to say I didn't like some of those guys' game especially Alvin Williams who was a solid fit for Lenny Wilkens offense, Chris Childs and Lindsay Hunter weren't afraid to get their noses dirty on defense But its so refreshing and aesthetically pleasing to have the luxury of T.J Ford and Jose Calderon thats why I sometimes cringe when I hear Raptor fans proposing things like trade Calderon for X player or trade Ford for this player.</p> That's not to say maybe the time won't come when she should just annoint one of them as the PG of the future and send the other packing for a star player at another position, but right now I'm quite comfortable and enjoying the depth and I am reminded why basketball is such a beautiful game. I feel like im owed this for watching every Mike James brick from the top of the key or Milt Palacio two handed jump shot from the foul line extended, I mean I'm still have flashbacks/nightmares any time Darrick Martin logs a few minutes of burn in a game to what it was like before we had Forderon.</p> </p>
Yeah a very good combination, i'm surprised Ford admitted that Calderon makes smarter decisions. Ford himself is excellent, but what would make him even better would be for him to trust in his teammates in the final minutes of the game instead of trying to take over. That was somewhat of a Mike James mentality too when he was with us.. otherwise padding his stats for free agency. As for TJ, if he were to give trust, we'd probably win 1.5 times more games than we're currently winning a.t.m. Otherwise they are both good, however boring Calderon is, I prefer him, and I think given pressure situations, he shoots the ball more accurately than Ford.</p>
Yes, I was surprised with Ford admitting this. I remember watching him on tv and he even looked down when answering with half-a-smile, and it was nice to see. It was a nice way of Ford admitting that he makes bad decisions sometimes, but it was nice to see. Did everybody remember last year when Ford got healthy again and he wanted Jose to start because the team was doing well with Jose and he didn't want to hurt the team. Ford, despite his bad decision making in critical moments is a good guy.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Drunkballer)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Its great watching this excellent PG play after suffering through the years Milt Palacio, Mike James, Rafer Alston, Lindsay Hunter, Chris Childs anyone remember the Omar Cook, Andre Barret experiment? anway I don't think we have had a pure PG since Mark Jackson was tossing alley-oops on the regular to "he who must not be named". Thats not to say I didn't like some of those guys' game especially Alvin Williams who was a solid fit for Lenny Wilkens offense, Chris Childs and Lindsay Hunter weren't afraid to get their noses dirty on defense But its so refreshing and aesthetically pleasing to have the luxury of T.J Ford and Jose Calderon thats why I sometimes cringe when I hear Raptor fans proposing things like trade Calderon for X player or trade Ford for this player.</p> That's not to say maybe the time won't come when she should just annoint one of them as the PG of the future and send the other packing for a star player at another position, but right now I'm quite comfortable and enjoying the depth and I am reminded why basketball is such a beautiful game. I feel like im owed this for watching every Mike James brick from the top of the key or Milt Palacio two handed jump shot from the foul line extended, I mean I'm still have flashbacks/nightmares any time Darrick Martin logs a few minutes of burn in a game to what it was like before we had Forderon.</p> <a class="gSGPlayerLink" href="http://www.nba.com/playerfile/lindsey_hunter/index.html?nav=page"> </a></p> </div> I agree completely. I still remember the '04 free agency when we desperately needed a starting point guard and, looking to free agency, we had the options of Rafer Alston, Troy Hudson, and various other garbage. And the Mike James experience was a season-long headache. I absolutely love this combination and I don't anyone should doubt whether we should keep both players (trade scenarios, IMO, should be proposed under the hypothetical situation that Jose wants out). I think the only thing you can really question is the distribution of minutes and occaisonally the playcalling with Ford.</p> </p>
