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Calderon explains

Michael Grange, March 26, 2008 at 8:32 PM EDT

Wow. Quite a series of developments here in Raptor-land. There's more to come on this in the next few days and weeks obviously, but I caught up with Jose Calderon briefly before the game and here was his take on his suggestion that he should move back to the bench with T.J. Ford as the starting point guard. They broke the mold with this guy:

Why were you open to making this move?

“We've been struggling and talking a lot about what we can do to get better. I always put my team first and I was talking to [Sam] and said let's try to change to lineup again and see if we can make something happen."

Did they reach out to you?

"I said five or six games ago, whatever we need to do, I have no problem coming from the bench. I have no problem putting the team first. And now after two tough losses I thought we could do it and see if things change a little. We talked Monday and again Tuesday morning and they agreed, with 12 games let's see if you can change things around."

What about your ego?

"I have an ego, but my team is first. I work for the Raptors and I play for the Raptors, I don't play for Jose Calderon. What I want is to be in the playoffs, I want to have a chance to play in the second round, so I don't try to be 20 points a game or something like that. I think this is a good idea to change everything so this is something I have to do.”

Why did you make the offer? Why could it be good for T.J.?

"Because when he was playing in the starting lineup he was playing really good, his confidence was better. Now he's going to be playing with CB and Anthony Parker and these guys. I don't know if it's going to be good for him or worse, the team needed to change something. I think it's going to be better for the team; if it's good for T.J. that's perfect too. It's a team thing."

Have you talked with T.J.? 

"No, he doesn't have to say anything to me, it's a team decision."

  1. Kevin Murray from Canada writes: Looked like it worked tonight. I think Jose may have felt the pressure because his game had slipped. The guy has confidence though, not too man NBA players would take this chance in a contract year.
  2. Rich Chan from Vancouver, Canada writes: Absolutely no weakness from Calderon here. Ford played like crap in those game that we lost and now he plays like how he's supposed to play as the starter. Thank you Calderon for taking one for the team. You've done and have been disrespected the most and you definitely deserve kudos.
  3. John Nicholson from Oshawa, writes: Can you spell TEAM leader-Jose Manuel Calderon !!!

    A brilliant game on offense and defense, a much needed WIN.

    Hopefully a sign of things to come, with TJ's second half much better.
  4. Guy MacPherson from Canada writes: I don't see it as risky because he's in a contract year. People around the league know his worth. There were teams ready to snatch Calderon up back when he was always coming off the bench anyway. I hope he stays a Raptor for life. He's the kind of player and person a team and city can get behind.
  5. C Ta from Richmond Hill, Canada writes: Agreed, Guy. Jose's selflessness combined with his leadership and talents make him beloved by Canadian fans. We always knew he made his teammates better, but this was going above and beyond.

    Remember this moment Raptors fans.
  6. Khan dor from Canada writes: As Men, not just basketball players, Jose Calderon & Jorge Garbajosa, would be welcome at all times on a team that I coach/run in the NBA. Each understands implicitly what it means to be part of an elite squad, how important 'winning' is, and what it means to be a Leader.

    Kudos to Jose!!! ... and his brethren.
  7. Roger S from Canada writes: By rewardng the bad apple, it is the beginning rather than the end of the problem. This shows how great Jose Calderon is, on court and off court. In the meantime, it is a downgrade of moral standard to this Raptors organization.

    It will not last.
  8. Andrew James from Toronto, Canada writes: Come on, Roger S, I don't think the situation is that bad, at least for the regular season. A different thing will be the playoffs. By the way, I saw this coming and I said it last week. Obvious move to me, which doesn't necessarily mean it was a fair move in favor of TJ.
  9. Robert Krizman from Oakville, Canada writes: The move to put TJ in the starting lineup was the wrong decision. I have no doubt that it may have the short term impact of improving the team's play but I don't like this move for a number of reasons: 1. TJ is rewarded for his unhappiness as a backup. If he's a team player then he should put forward his best effort regardless of what role he has. 2. Calderon has outplayed TJ and earned the starter's job. Putting aside the issue of who starts, it makes no sense that Calderon who was playing better is now going to be playing fewer minutes than TJ who wasn't playing well. If TJ had played well he could have earned the job back. 3. The starting lineup previously consisted of 3 three point shooters and now has just 1 (Parker) while the 2nd unit has 4 three point shooters (Bargnani, Kapono, Calderon and Delfino) which is an imbalance. 4. The move may very well spark TJ's play but I think the current starting unit may not have enough scorers. The offensive strategy is centred around Bosh getting the ball and either scoring or when Bosh gets double teamed he sets up the team's shooters for some open shots. Before, Bosh was able to get good looks for Bargnani and Calderon. With the current lineup the only true shooter is Parker (TJ can score but he's not a spot up shooter). In fact there was a sequence in the Detroit game where Bosh got double-teamed and passed it to TJ who missed a long shot. 5. Bosh and Calderon had developed great chemistry in the starting lineup and play the pick and roll well. 6. The team's recent losing streak related more to the loss of Bosh and their horrendous defense, not their offense. While this move may improve their offense, it doesn't address the team's defensive issues. 7. When teams need a shakeup, they remove players who struggle not a player (Calderon) who was playing well. I know that the Calderon suggested this move but the team's management should have said no. Michael, what are your thoughts?
  10. E W from Canada writes: I think Roger was suggesting that the organization has effectively rewarded Ford for sulking and not stepping up. Which is, in a way, true.

    The pizza mob better start making the Ole cheer a standard greeting when Jose comes off the bench.
  11. days ofcoleco from Canada writes: Khan dor from Canada writes: As Men, not just basketball players, Jose Calderon & Jorge Garbajosa, would be welcome at all times on a team that I coach/run in the NBA. Each understands implicitly what it means to be part of an elite squad, how important 'winning' is, and what it means to be a Leader.

    Kudos to Jose!!! ... and his brethren.

    ================
    Garbo = selfish, not a team player, poor decision maker. Dude goes against the advice of the team that pays his bills. 'I don't need no stinkin surgery!'. And likely won't play this year. I never want to see him in a Raptor uniform again.
    I give Calderon huge credit for unselfishly recognizing his limited ability.
  12. Stevie Dee from Canada writes: I'm not so sure that TJ was rewarded, as I think that all this does is increase his trade value for the off season. Anyone can see that if one of the two are moving, he'd be the prime candidate. As for a gutsy move by Calderon because of the contract year, don't agree at all. What GM wouldn't want a PG who has already proved that he can be a big time starter, but is willing to do whatever is necessary to make the team win?

    Yo no...I'm not even going to bother!
  13. Michael Sullivan from Toronto, Canada writes: Where did Yo No's comment go? A shame to lose the voice of such an intelligent, insightful individual. In case he returns let me respond and throw some light into the black hole he is obviously living in.

    I can't remember the comment perfectly but I believe it was something like Calderon being an 'average back-up point guard'. Hmmm.

    Here are some stats that would seem to make that, no doubt well thought out analysis seem a bit...well...moronic.

    Jose Calderon NBA Rank

    Assists Per Game = 8.4 5th
    Assists to Turnover Ratio = 4.92 1st
    Assists per 48 Minutes = 12.9 5th

    Given the only players ahead of him in the two assists categories are Steve Nash, Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Jason Kidd it would seem bit of a stretch to call him an 'average back-up'.

    It says a lot about the mentality of the players in the NBA when it is big news when a player puts his team and winning first.
  14. Michael Sullivan from Toronto, Canada writes: For what it's worth, the obvious oversight I made in my last post is points per game. I was selecting statistics that best supported my argument. I think we would all concede that based on intangibles and stats, Baron Davis (Far superior in Steals, Rebounds, Points), probably Chauncey Billups and maybe, a big maybe, Andre Miller and Tony Parker are at this stage better point guards. So that makes what maybe 7 or 8 ( I am doubtful whether in regular season play at least, Kidd is better than Calderon at this point in their respective careers) and don't forget Jose is only in his third year in the NBA. Of course, Iverson and Wade would be ahead of him if they were playing the point on a regular basis.
  15. Jake Richardson from Kingston, Canada writes: The raptors used to be very clear on the fact that the starting job was TJs. Last year, and even earlier in this season, wheneven Jose started, it was always clear that TJ was the starter. I think that helped keep Jose stable, and it helped quell the controversy.

    The raps should have kept the same stance. Now that we know how selfless Jose is, we know he would have accepted it as best for the team. instead, the cauldron has now blown its lid, and the Raps are setting sail for uncharted waters.
  16. David L from Canada writes: i'm not convinced Jose is the one that actually approached sam mitchell and BC about the switch. Think about it. (i could be wrong though)

    The raptors are very adept at PR and media relations. Assuming they were the ones who came up with the switch, framing Jose as the guy that made the decision benefits everyone involved.

    1/ Gives Jose tons of positive publicity for being unselfish
    2/ Raises his stock if they want to trade him, but also in his own mind (giving him a reason to go along with the move)
    3/ Benefits the club's play on the court
    4/ Makes a guy they have under contract for a lot of cash happy (TJ)
    5/ If they want to deal TJ, gives them a way to showcase his talents while keeping Jose happy (all the positive praise he's getting)
    6/ Who would say 'no' to a ploy like that if asked? From Jose's standpoint, it's all positive if they were going to make the move regardless.

    The key messages that are repeated in everything Jose says in this ploy:

    - it's all about the team, whatever is best for the team
    - i play for the Toronto Raptors, not myself
    - being a good teammate

    **note how the word 'team' appears in all of his responses**
  17. Vinthulan N from Toronto, Canada writes: I'm a raptors freak n i rather have jose over tj jose PLEASE DUNT LEAVEEE!!!!!! any raptors whose readin tell him dis

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