Is Jose Calderon An All-Star?
Yesterday when I posed the question, “Is Rajon Rondo An All-Star?,” there were tons of responses clammoring that Rondo is behind Jose Calderon, Devin Harris, and even Derrick Rose for a spot on the coveted 12-man roster.
Sure he’s second in the League in assists behind Chris Paul, but I just can’t imagine Calderon making the squad. In last night’s blowout loss to the Nuggets, he had a measly nine points and seven assists in 32 minutes. Are those All-Star numbers? No way, Jose.
Compared to the Celtics dominance with a 17-2 record, the Raptors’ subpar record of 8-9 should keep Calderon out of the All-Star game and will severely hurt his teammate Chris Bosh’s chances at serious MVP votes. Averages of 12.9 points and 9.5 assists are solid, and more than Rondo, but the Celtics are winning and in the end that’s what counts.
While I may not be a believer, it appears George Karl is:
“He’s a true point. He cares about the point and in the last few years, we talk about Chris Paul and we talk about Deron Williams – and they deserve to be talked about – but this kid’s not very far behind,” Karl said.
“I think Calderon is Stockton-like,” said Karl. “Eighty per cent of his team’s decisions are made by his pass or his decision.”
What do you think? Is Calderon an All-Star?
Source: Toronto Star
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:15 pm
SayItAintSo says:
No one that plays for Toronto is an all-star. A high-school women’s team could out-rebound cotton-candy team.
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:21 pm
ak14 says:
No.
Jose plays worse defense than Steve Nash, although it’s not like anyone on the Raps (other than JO and Anthony Parker) actually play defense anyway.
He was playing at an all-star level when TJ Ford was out last year, but he hasn’t been that great this year, and the team’s record is mediocre yet actually better than it should be (thanks largely to CB4 playing out of his mind)
Devin Harris should be the only true PG to make the Eastern All-Star team this year
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Ian says:
fuck yeah hes an allstar and stop that rondo nonsense if u traded calderon for rondo the celts might have a perfect record.
he was an allstar last year and is an allstar now
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:24 pm
raf says:
as a raps fan i would have said yes..but cause of the way they have been playin as of late…its really hard to argue for any of the raptors players
even for bosh, against good teams…such as LA, boston, denver bosh is struggling… and wen he does put up MVP like numbers the team is losing
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Scott says:
So post 1 is an idiot, but anyways. Jose should definitely be an all-star. Last time I checked it wasn’t one game that decided if a player is an all-star, last night no one on the Raps played well.
Jose is definitely an All-Star, he does need to amp his D up, but his offensive skills are there. If Billups pushed him out of the team last year, the way should be clear for Jose to make the squad.
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:27 pm
MSkittle says:
No way!
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Big Sia says:
FUCK NO
SOFTEST PG IN THE LEAGUE
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Aaron says:
Not an all-star. He’s the 3rd best pg in the East. #1 is Devin Harris. #2. is Rose.
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:33 pm
raf says:
@7..i wouldnt call him soft…hes been gettin it on with players lately…Kg and Fisher to be exact..
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:35 pm
lou b says:
“No way, jose.”
I can’t believe you put that in there.
How come nobody puts andre millers name in the top 3?
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:39 pm
rootsradical says:
i don’t care if calderon makes it. but rondo, are you fucking serious? he sucks. i could run the point in Boston for christ sakes.
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Coop says:
Right, so you want Rondo in there (a guy who doesnt score much (and cant shoot for shit) and averages 6 assists yet you chastise Calderon for not scoring much last night and dishing out 7 assists? Consistency and/or logic would be nice, Dime.
In answer to your questions, neither Rondo nor Calderon are worthy of an all-star berth.
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:40 pm
GEE...Break ya concentration, murda ya camp says:
We talking the East right so this year at this point. I would say yes.
Mind you alll last year I said dude wasn’t an All-Star and even come All-Star time he got supposedly snubbed. Still he wasn’t no All-Star.
It’s to early to tell honestly. If I just had to say so right now, I would say yes barely. Talkin the East though. He wouldn’t get no shine in the West.
Aron what is up with you and George Karl pimpin? Second time today you have given him props like he is the authority or as if he has ever won a championship coaching a squad.
I’m just saying pimpin. It’s George Karl. I would take Weezy’s opinion over dude.
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:42 pm
GEE...Break ya concentration, murda ya camp says:
Wait a minute. Wasn’t he on that picture where they were doing the slanted eyes thing??
If so. HELL NAW HE AIN’T NO ALL-STAR! F HIM! The f stands for forget by the way.
I don’t care if he plays out his mind. If he was in that photo I wish Fisher would have popped his A. A stands for Arse.
I don’t like him. George Karl can eat a D. D stands for Donut!
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:46 pm
GsusX says:
yeah, way to pick out one stat line from one subpar night and confidently declare that he is not an all-star. good argument.
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:47 pm
ERIC says:
first of all, its BS that the # of wins (determined by a TEAM) allows below-all-star-level players to get picked for the big game (see: wally szerb, jamal magloire, big Z to name a few) as opposed to a player who is TOP 12 PLAYER/TALENT in the conference.
if you think Jose is better than Rondo, Jose should be playing…if you think Rondo is better than Jose, then pick Rondo.
doesnt matter bc harris and rose are better players at the moment.
Rondo clearly has 3 HOF players to make his job so much easier.
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Ansonious says:
Hate hate hate hate hate hate the all star game is still a few months away but lets not forget that the starters are based on popularity voting so more than likely A.I. will get the nod, Devin Harris without a doubt should be on there, but if I was choosing today Rose would be my pick over Calderon. Rose is seriously legit enough to be there just wish the kid had a good jumper.
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:55 pm
mules says:
He’s an all-star…not a starter but he should be on the team. The best measure for a ture PG, statistically speaking is AST/TO ratio. Calderon’s is 4.9…2nd in the league behind DeShawn Stevenson, which is a bit of an anomaly since Stevenson has a whopping 54 dimes to Calderon’s 142. His defense may be suspect but who the hell plays defense at the all-star game anyway?
Dude is 43 for 43 on free-throws on the season…that’s just nuts.
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:04 pm
mules says:
Rondo’s AST/TO = 3.6
Harris’s AST/TO = 3.04
Rose’s AST/TO = 2.0
Marbury’s AST/TO = 0.0
Marbury’s DIME/TO = 0.0
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:23 pm
P_Dizzle says:
Hold up Aron! You are saying that Jose’s numbers last night:
“…he had a measly nine points and seven assists in 32 minutes. Are those All-Star numbers? No way, Jose.”
… uh aren’t those numbers that aren’t All-Star numbers what Rondo is averaging for the season!!??
You make no sense Aron and your making an ass out of yourself sticking up for Rondo.
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:29 pm
anonymouse says:
good post #20, wtf is Aron talking about?
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Vinny says:
I gotta go with gee on this 1- why the fuck is George Karl getting so much love? and is it just me or does dude look like a klingon in that picture?
considering the options he has around him Rose is doing a remarkable job getting assist’s at all! I’d go with Rose.
He’s a rookie and he already controls games!
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Mikey says:
LMAO at post 19. Great use of that old Marbury quote.
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:35 pm
got them..SCOOBY DO's says:
Jose is not an all star! say it with me folks….
Jose is not an all star!
Jose is not an all star!
Jose is not an all star!
Jose is not an all star!
Jose is not an all star!
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Three Stacks says:
I love Calderon’s game and I think he has a chance to be an All-Star, but his numbers are kinda deceiving. I saw him play on Sunday in person against the Lakers, and I can’t believe how many cheap-o assists he got.
It’s not so much that he drives, kicks and finds open men, but that T-Dot is a jump shooting team. So many of the Raptors possessions were Calderon bringing the ball up, one pass, and either Parker, Kapono, or Moon taking a jumpshot. And if they hit it, he gets a cheap assist.
I know he’s got a bum hammy, so maybe he was playing more controlled, but I was left unimpressed.
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Ross says:
No, but he’s still several PG’s ahead of Rondo.
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:00 pm
maddskizzle says:
Being second in the League in assists with this Raptors team puts him at Chuck Norris status. I mean, how do you get so many assists on such a bad team. Outside of Bosh, noone can score!
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:01 pm
pishenis says:
” nine points and seven assists in 32 minutes. Are those All-Star numbers? No way, Jose.”
“Averages of 12.9 points and 9.5 assists are solid, and more than Rondo, but the Celtics are winning and in the end that’s what counts.”
So numbers only count when it matters to your opinion? If winning its what it counts make the all-star game a game between Lakers and Celtics.
And use as an example to support your opinion of Calderon not be an all-star only last night game its pretty stupid.
Devin Harris had a 11-point 7-assist game in a blowout loss this year, Rondo had a 4-point 2-assist game in the loss against Indy and D-Rose had a 6-point 1-assist game in a loss against Portland. Even worst than Calderon’s last night numbers.
To me the All-Star Game is about the best players in the league together, not about team wins, so if you have 2 PGs, its Devin and Calderon, if it 3 PGs, add D-Rose.
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:03 pm
mules says:
@ 3 Stacks - Assists aren’t always highlight plays…a lot of them come from simply running the offense and getting your guys the ball when and where they are likely to score. Calderon’s understanding of the offense and his teammate’s strenghs and weaknesses is what makes him a great point guard. Maybe it’s more fun to watch a drive-and-kick type player cross his man up and drop it off under the rim for his big man, but how many times does that play end up as a turn-over…I’d rather have the player who makes the simple play to get the best scoring opportunity available within the offense.
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Max says:
I like Calderon’s game, but his team is stinking it up huge lately. Rose will ultimately surpass everyone anyway — this will be the last ASG where there’s even a question of who the best PG is.
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Three Stacks says:
@ mules
I understand what you’re saying, but like half of Calderon’s assists that night came from him passing to a guarded man who chucked up a contested shot that went in. You say you like simple plays, but a possession that entails one pass and a contested jumper with 15 secs left on the shot clock isn’t gonna help you win games.
Calderon is not the quickest guy, but he’s got insane handles so he can get into the lane pretty well. There’s a difference between PGs who get you open jumpers and open layups.
And you don’t need to cross someone up to make a nice pass.
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:52 pm
bigJax says:
JC is not all star material this year. Injuries or something have kept him out of the paint and he’s getting exposed keeping his man in front of him. I’m a huge JC fan and i think he’s more deserving than Rondo, but he’s not as good as he was last year.
He is more critical to the raps success this year than last year, so team-value could be factored in.
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Chaos says:
Calderon is a fringe All-Star. there will be a lot of arguement but he will probably not make it. he is steve nash lite as in he is a great passer but not the scorer nash is and like nash is terrible on defense. he maybe wworse than nash because i have seen him get lit by opposing pgs in the league. really think about it, T-Dot has NO ONE else that handle the rock and if it wasnt for Bosh actually proving that he is MVP by keeping the Raps around .500, he wouldnt be in this talk. Devin Harris is the East All-Star PG and A.I. will also make it. Rose will get more consideration. the way people are talking, he can single handedly control a game…..he CANT!!
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:01 pm
MBE18 says:
He is
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Guitar Hero says:
Yeah, he’s an All-Star. One of the few true PGs in the league. Great passer, shooter, floor leader…everything except for defense. But Rose isn’t a good defender either. Or about half of the usual all-star roster.
He’s not soft. American people say that, because he’s white and European. Racism and xenophobism as usual. There are many soft black americans in the League as well. That’s bullshit.
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Guitar Hero says:
Oh, and Rondo is a very good team player, a hustler, and a gutsy performer. But he’s nowhere in José’s league as a floor leader or a shooter.
Top 3 Eastern PGs are Harris, Rose and José. That’s obvious.
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:37 pm
mules says:
@ 3 Stacks
That may have been the case that night…I don’t know. But, no one averages 9.5 assists off of teammate’s making contested jumpers and Jose’s not exactly passing the ball to Jerry West or Reggie Miller. He gets plenty of open jumpers and layups for his teammates.
I know you don’t have to cross someone up to make a nice pass…but it’s those type of plays that get put on sportscenter and posted on blogs like this. I just don’t think fundamental play get the love it deserves.
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:48 pm
JCARR says:
Better than Rondo… yea given a couple of more games he can prove to be an all star caliber PG
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:52 pm
dagwaller says:
Yes.
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:58 pm
K Dizzle says:
Just a reminder that dude is guttin thru bad hammys for that haters callin JC soft. Puttin up damn near 13 pts and 10 ast per is no joke while never turnin the rock over and shootin 45%fg/40%tp/100%ft from the pg position are allstar numbers. No one is sayin Jose is even close to the athlete Rose and Harris and even Rondo are, but he’s the best pure point of the 3 and gets his teammates the ball and can shoot if left unattended. I challenge anyone to play d with a bad hammy and see how that goes. People need to watch games before you start sayin dudes can’t play d. Dude put 26 and 15 on Dev Harris when the Nets came to town so does that mean Harris can’t d up? Fact is, 90% of the points in this league can get it when they want it…The pure points like Calderon, Nash, kidd, Paul, D-Will just sacrifice for the team. Dude is an all-star
Peace
December 3rd, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Bobby B says:
“Averages of 12.9 points and 9.5 assists are solid, and more than Rondo, but the Celtics are winning and in the end that’s what counts.”
WTF are you smoking, Aron? By this same logic, I guess Derek Fisher is an All-Star, too?! He’s only averaging 10 PPG and 2.9 APG, but the Lakers are winning and in the end that’s what counts!
December 3rd, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Adamo says:
Look, as a raps fan I would love to see Calderon on the All-Star team. However, we can’t judge a player’s candidacy based on potential. He has NOT performed up to the level we in Raptorland know he can play at. His assists are coming because he knows how to pass to CB4 (who is MOST CERTAINLY AN ALL-STAR - 2nd best PPG on almost 50% shooting), and his points come because he can shoot. But until he gets his drive and kick working, he is not at an All-Star level.
Last year he was getting everyone on the floor engaged: Kapono, Parker, Delfino - everyone got a touch. This year, he seems hesitant to pass to anyone but Bosh - now, I don’t know how much is his fault, or Sam Mitchell’s insistence on the high pick and roll - and this is hurting his candidacy. Against the Nuggets, Chauncey Billups put on a clinic showing how to get everyone involved and keep the floor spaced to let Anthony do his thing. Jose could only stand and watch.
When you have guards like Iverson and Wade, and the display being put on by Harris, I am hard-pressed to think that Calderon is above these players.
But, talking about potential, I would take Jose over these players any day. He has time to get his game on this season. And next year, or the year after, not only George Karl will reference Calderon as John Stockton, and Bosh as the Mail Man.
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Rudra says:
Heyl no!
The starting east backcourt is AI and Flash, period. Their backups? Joe Johnson, Derrick Rose. Maybe Ray Allen.
Rodney Stuckey is better than Jose Calderon. Better finisher, defender, and quicker.
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Dave says:
No
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:30 pm
H to the Immo says:
He’s injured.
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Aron says:
Alright folks. Remember that nasty Pistons team a couple of years ago? They got four. The Celtics should too. Just like when Joe Jeezy wasn’t getting any All-Star love when the Hawks sucked, JC doesn’t deserve to make this game with the way the Raptors are playing.
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Adamo says:
It’s a testament to how little respect the raptors demand, when even a tried and true all-star (CB4) gets ignored by fans from other teams. Yes, the Raps are struggling. But how can you deny Bosh his due?
Jose may not deserve an all-star spot. But that is not because he plays for the Raps: it is because he is not as good as the other players in the East right now. Period.
Before you make comments about how bad these players are, instead of how good the others are playing, try watching a couple of games first.
December 3rd, 2008 at 11:08 pm
added says:
Calderon is good, i like him a lot…but i cant place him over Devin Harris or Rose
Fuck Rondo, he’s good, but he ain’t no all-star.
December 3rd, 2008 at 11:16 pm
Tj Ford says:
Tj ford says: “Calderons friendship isn’t the same as mine. Calderon’s t.o ratio is amazing, not going to lie its very good.. but why is it? As a point gaurd you need to run that break.. if you see Graham open doing a girly scream because you see him and dont pass it.. and moon doo a hand movement for a cut to the rim for a jam and you ignore it.. and he hopps it off like a bellarina.. then definitly your not taking a risk.. and protecting a possession.. and just walking to bosh and passing him the ball.. if he hits.. its an assist for Jose..thats not how it should be done Toronto ! GET REAL ! I have another play offs this year, i will now have a playoff appearence every year of my career.. OH AND.. RASHO is yelling.. “I SECOND THAT”.
bye toronto
December 4th, 2008 at 2:45 am
VC Fan in TO says:
If the teams were to be selected today I would put Jose in as a wild card. As of today, my prediction for the eastern all-stars would be:
Starters:
AI
Flash
King James
KG
Howard
Bench:
Harris
JJ
Pierce
Granger
Bosh (move him to the Centre instead of using a slot for Z)
Carter
Jose
Aren’t too many guys giving you (pretty much) a double double on a nightly basis with assists. So I would give Jose the nod.
December 4th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Aron says:
To all the haters out there…
From Smack: Rondo went beast-mode on the Pacers, putting up 16 points, 13 boards, 17 assists and three steals in a blowout win.
Clearly Rondo heard all the smack y’all been talking.
December 27th, 2008 at 9:54 am
sebas says:
do you really think that picture about chinese eyes was offensive?? haha You dont know anything about spanish humour. You dont know anything about racism. Or not? what about black people just in your country? what about invading other countries?? what old people
January 1st, 2009 at 11:21 pm
rej says:
this is the stupidest thing I ever heard he is not deserving to be an all star. The only point guards for the east should be D-rose and devin harris. What is this guy even doing being put into consideration. This just shows how stupid the voters are. I mean look what rose id doing with the little talent in chicago and ohh yea he’s a rookie