I'm speaking of Jose Calderon. Toronto's improved play has led to many people saying Jarrett Jack should continue to start at point guard even when Calderon returns. Here is my response to this suggestion:
No.
Consider: During this 8-4 stretch, the Raptors have played four teams with a winning record. They are 1-3 against those teams. The three losses were by a combined 61 points. In those 4 games against quality competition, Jack averaged 12 points and 4 assists per game, and was a combined -14.
So what exactly is the rush to alienate a player under contract for multiple seasons at big dollars? Is Jose Calderon playing at his best this season? No. Should the Raptors have expected him to be at his best after forcing him to sit out of international action all off-season? No.
Here are Toronto's wins during this stretch: Washington, Chicago, Minnesota, Houston, New Jersey, New Orleans, and Detroit (twice). This team has yet to beat a team with a winning record on the road this season.
What is everything I've just said above? Context.
If I were strictly a numbers guy (as many of you probably think I am), then technically, I should be all for this Jack as the starting point guard movement. Jack is a +57 at the point this year, Calderon is a -93 (giving a net difference between the two of 150 points). I don't think the easy schedule explains away all of that net difference... however, there are other factors (injuries, rust, etc...). And given the contract situation, and just the fact that Calderon is a better player, I think you need to stay the course with your original starter.
THE ENIGMA THAT IS SONNY WEEMS
He can't shoot. His handle doesn't even look that nice. He can D up reasonably well. Somehow that all adds up to a great performance. During this winning streak (and yes, all those caveats about Jack apply here as well), Weems has been a plus in each game... leading to a combined plus/minus of +54 (3rd on the team during that time, and best among reserves).
His game is admittedly tough to figure out. It's hard to understand how someone that is obviously athletic, has a fairly high basketball IQ, and has decent touch (as evidenced by his alley-oop passes) can't seem to hit a 15-foot jumper consistently.
STAT OF THE DAY
(courtesy of 82games.com)
Back to my point about the Raptors really not showing much during these winning times. Toronto has played 32 games this season.
Here is how their record breaks down when you separate their opponents by net points (for-against):
vs Top 10 teams: 1-11
vs 11th-20th teams: 2-5
vs 21st-30th teams: 11-1
So, the Raptors are 3-16 against the top 20 teams in the NBA, but they're dominating the really crappy teams...... YAY!!!!
FYI: Toronto's next 6 games:
vs Charlotte
at Boston
vs San Antonio
at Orlando
at Philly
vs Boston
Absolute best case is 3-3. More likely to be 2-4 or 1-5... giving the team a 17-21 record nearly halfway through the season.
And they're going to alienate their point guard over that!
4 comments:
It's not surprising about Jose. Toronto has become a "what have you done for me lately?" sports town. All the losing will do that to you, I guess. But I'm with you: stay the course.
Is Sonny Weems the new Joey Graham?
I am figuring that this website has a bias opinion on Jose C. Judging by the name of the Website.
All NBA teams are tough. Anytime you string together a 4gm win streak you have to think someone is doing something correct. CB hasn't been that dominating in all four victories. Hedo has played well.
Hedo should be running the offense.
If Jose could actually keep up on defense you may actually have a point.
COmmentary on Sunday's game mentioned how well the Raptors have been covering the perimeter players over the past 8 games. Who hasn't played --- Jose.
Jose is nothing more than a reliable back-up, and yet another European who has his guaranteed contract and feels like he doesn't have to work on his game as much. It was quite evident that Jose sat on his ass for the entire summer, and he is being out hustled by JJ. To be honest with you I like JJ and Marcus as his back-up. Jose unfortunately makes way too much money for the number point guards of his caliber out there. No one will touch him until the last year of the contract.
Jose's shot is inconsistent, and he is extremely predictable. Jose doesn't create anything, he runs the offense and can't deviate from it consistently. His numbers are padded because his number one play is drop it to Bosh and hope he scores.
Personally I get nervous everytime Jose is in "Control of the offense". He obviously hasn't done too much since signing the big deal. He is not even in the same league as Kidd, Paul, Nash, Williams, Davis, Rondo, etc.
Worst contract ever by the Raptors -- Jose. They should of traded him when he had value, now he will rot away on the Raptors bench. Trust me, once inserted into the lineup the losses will pile up.
I think you're forgetting the record before his injury.
Jose calderon is the most overrated player in the league right now. and honestly, he is on of the worst players on the roster, next to o'bryant.
everytime he handles the ball, i get scared too, coz he might turn the ball over, he might just pullup for another j instead of taking it to the basket on a 3 on 1 fastbreak, or he might injure himself again.
he is just a BACKUP point guard. he might be the most overpaid backup in the league. the best thing he could be is be a 6th man: jason terry/eddie house/steve kerr type of player.
if he gets upset, trade him! while his value is still quite high. i dont see him being a starter for any team except the lakers.
Very nice post. It is hard to find insight and logic in discussions of the raptors players. Your point about context is key. People seem to ignore the context and simply select the stat they like best to fuel an argument.
I am not sure if the starting unit is best with Jack or Jose, but I am sure that you are right that it is too early to make a change. Lets see how Jack does against good teams and then decide. If the raptors had lost a few of the last four games the only thing that would have become clear is that Jack is not that good. At least we are not having that dicsussion
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