I was one of the advocates for Calderon last year too. I saw a Steve Nash in him. Comparing to Ford, he is more of a pass-oriented PG. Meanwhile, Toronto still needs Ford's point, in spite of the fact that Ford is a shoot-first point guard. I'd say Calderon is 80% of Nash now and improving. He is fast, shoots very well, handles the ball flawlessly, and has an outstanding court vision. What's more deadly is that he recently added penetration to his weapons, and he uses it well. He needs to improve his defense, but hey, if Tony Parker can defend, he will too. I am sure Colangelo will ask for a lot. I would give up anyone except Scola, Landry, Yao and TMac.
Any takers on translating this article? http://www.elmundodeportivo.es/web/gen/20080514/noticia_53462921998.html
"Me gustaría ser titular, aspirar a todo y ser parte de un equipo ganador. Ahora Toronto tiene la última palabra, pero no sé exactamente dónde va a ser. A partir de julio sabremos algo más", comentó el base de Villanueva de la Serena, que reconoció que tiene "una espinita clavada" en "Toronto" por no haber conseguido la clasificación a la segunda ronda de los 'play-offs'. "A mi me gustaría ser titular y eso es lo mas importante", insistió Calderón , que cree que a pesar de todo hace "una buena pareja con T.J. Ford". "He estado dos años con él, pero lo que no sé es si podría estar un año más porque tendrían que cambiar las tornas", indicó el base, en alusión a la polémica que se generó en Toronto cuando TJ Ford mostró públicamente su descontento por ser suplente tras superar su grave lesión. Calderón también ha declarado que espera resolver lo antes posible su futuro en la NBA pues no podrá entrenar con la selección nacional hasta no tener un contrato oficial con alguna franquicia. "En la NBA no se puede hablar con ningún equipo hasta el 1 de julio. No sabremos si hay un equipo interesado o diez. Ahora mismo lo único que está claro es que Toronto tiene la ultima palabra, entre comillas, y puede igualar", agregó. "I would like to start, aspire to win a championship, and play for a winning team. Toronto has the final say. As of july we will know more." "I would like to start and that is the most important thing. Me and TJ make a good tandem at pg. I have played two years beside TJ, I dont know if I could play a third because I want to start." Calderon has also declared that he expects to resolve his contract situation asap, because he cannot play for Spain's national team in the Olympics until. "In the NBA you cant talk to any teams until 1 July. We wont if there is one or ten teams interested until then. Right now the only thing that is clear is that Toronto has the final word and can match any offer." I basically went through the article and posted the snippets that I felt folks on the board would find most relevant and interesting. All in all very good article. Enjoy and thanks for the link hooroo.
If the Rockets could get him, he would be a tremendous upgrade. But the Raptors would be crazy to let him go after the incredible season he just had, and I really can't imagine they will. However, they might trade T.J. Ford, and if the Rockets could swing that deal, they'd have that dynamic scorer they need for when T-Mac or Yao goes down. Ford can be fantastic when he's not hurt. He'd be a great acquisition, and I hope the Rockets pursue him hard.
Calderon will be the one to leave for sure! All he is doing right now is getting him out of Toronto. I guess he can say those words in public, means that some teams have contacted with him, and maybe he has a goal already. I hope the rockets have contacted with him.
So whats the preference, you want Ford or Calderon in a rockets uniform, say why. like more scoring, or better passing.
I'd take Calderon if I had a choice. Ford's had some very serious injuries. Calderon's also better at running an offense I think. But either one would be an improvement the Rockets desperately need. If they can't live with one another Houston should go hard for the one that's going to be moved.
Calderon: -Great at controlling tempo -Low Turnover, great assist/turnover ratio on a volume shooting team -Great Overall shooter that takes what defense gives him similar to Billups -Great FT shooter Overall great offensive asset that will be able to negate what he will give up offensively by adding it on the offensive end. It brings a smile to my face to think the amount of shot this guy will be able to knock down playing along side 2 players that are consitently double teamed.
I'd take Calderon, given the choice. Ford's injuries make him a risk. There's also the fact that, although people keep pegging Calderon as more of a passer, he can score. His combination of scoring, assists and protecting the ball is really pretty rare. He'd be a hell of a player for the Rockets, and it would be simply amazing if Morey could pull it off. But the great thing is that Ford is also a terrific player who could give the Rockets just what they need. The beauty of the situation is that they're both great point guards who expect to start, which puts Toronto in the position of having to let go of one. I'd be thrilled if the Rockets signed either one.
Unless someone offers too much for Ford, Calderon is on his way out. Either that, or Toronto will have an unhappy PG on their roster. Calderon will undoubtedly yield better trade packages than Ford. I don't think the rockets will go for Calderon because it will mean giving up Battier. I sure do wish they would try though. Hopefully, Morey sees something in Calderon's stats.
Even if we lose our best perimeter defender and a chance to add another young (and, with Morey's track record, serviceable) player to the team? note: I'm a big Calderon fan. Just wondering what everyone is willing to part for a true point guard.
yes. three is much easier to fill than the one. we can always find a decent 3. a good pg is a lot harder to get, unless there're a few chris paul's, deron williams', and tony parker's waiting in this draft.
http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/Basketball/2008/05/16/5584746-sun.html Calderon trade the best option Things must change, guard tells Spanish paper By FRANK ZICARELLI, TORONTO SUN Each time Jose Calderon opens his mouth or uses his personal website as a platform to vent, he inadvertently is fuelling a controversy that is headed for one ugly climax. Most NBA observers figured the Raptors' chances of keeping both Calderon and T.J. Ford were minimal at best. As the team's off-season continues, the chances grow even slimmer, the possibility of a trade more likely as the chasm between Ford and Calderon widens. At this point, all Calderon can do is wait until July 1, when NBA free agency kicks in. In his case, Calderon becomes a restricted free agent and the Raptors have steadfastly stated they will match any offer. With so few teams having cap space, the most Calderon can expect is a mid-level offer, which is expected to be in the neighbourhood of $5.6 million US, doubling his stipend from last season. Sign-and-trade scenarios are possible and teams conceivably can clear space, factors that could lead to a more lucrative offer for Calderon. But the fact remains that one of Calderon or Ford must go. There is no market for Ford, while teams privately covet Calderon, who would make both a playing and cultural fit in markets such as Miami and Los Angeles. Not that the Raptors needed further evidence of the growing divide at the point, but quotes attributed to Calderon highlight a rift with Ford. "I would like to start and that's the most important thing,'' Calderon is quoted as saying in yesterday's edition of the Spanish daily sports newspaper El Mundo Deportivo, a sentiment he first shared with visitors to his website. But now comes the kicker. Continued Calderon in the article: "I've been two years with him but I don't know if I could be another year because things would have to change." Barring a complete personality makeover by Ford, which doesn't seem likely, nothing can change in Raptorland. That is why a change in scenery for Calderon is best for all parties concerned. People have been clamouring for a player such as Corey Maggette of the Los Angeles Clippers, an athletic wing who is capable of averaging 20 a night and attacking the rim. The Clippers can use a point guard and Calderon's family probably wouldn't object to southern California's warm climate. It's just one of many possibilities to ponder as July 1 approaches and as the Raptors try to solve their mess at the point position.
