Tip-In: First Step is Admitting There's a Problem, Washington beats Toronto 98 to 95

frankly I never understood why Jose took so much heat over the years. His numbers have been amazingly consistent since his 2nd year. Only his assists per game dropping last year, but largely due to not seeing the floor as much. Even his 3pt shooting only dipped to 39.8% (which is an excellent percentage) and his shooting % is the lowest this year at 48% (still great for a pg). And thats been with myraid of benchings, trade rumours and scapegoating he has had to deal with.

I know people loved to blame him for his D, but I think its becoming abundantly clear that he hasn’t been the biggest problem over that time. There have been numerous players that have been thrown in the combination with him that just don’t work….. and of all players its been Amir Johnson (nothing more than a blue collar player) that seems to have been the best. (someone who actually goes to the net for Jose)

I mean the stuff I’ve heard about him over the years, worst defender in the league, can only play half court, can’t throw an alley-oop, doesn’t take enough chances…. I don’t know. I think they have all been proven false. The guy is the definition of consistency, efficiency, workmanship and team play. If there is a knock on him I’d say its his flopping on drives and complaining to refs he needs to cut out… this isn’t soccer.

Here’s the scary part, Colangelo gave up on him too. Yes Chandler would have been great, but Chandler is a FA at end of this year and would not have resigned in all likelihood. So we would be back at square one trying to find a good PG. Sometimes its the moves you don’t make in life that are the critical ones!

It is nice to see jose getting some love again. The guy has never really complained. Always said he loved the city. Always tried his best in every game he played, even if he was getting beat on the defensive end. And in my mind has always been the type of player Toronto likes in our sports-heros. Blue-collar team player. If he had knocked KG down and gotten ejected a-la Bonner then he’d be a mega star and legend here!

Love the guy, never wanted to see him traded, and totally agree with the comment above that he is the type of up-beat player a young team needs while going through the transition years.

found this article interesting mainly because of how accurate I thought it was:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/573962-10-players-the-toronto-raptors-should-target-between-now-and-the-summer

Tip-In: First Step is Admitting There’s a Problem

While I can’t go with this headline, I really enjoyed your "ode to Jose" . With Calderon, it’s not necessarily the stats (and his improvement / return to previous highs) that are great to see again, but his attitude through all this. In a purely professional attitude, Jose showed, and continues to show, true commitment. A value somewhat foreign to Toronto.

This leadership shows – in this Raptor youth kick – the need for veterans. Someone to help develop (and demonstrate) to the younger guys. And players who might need help in help defense.
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What games like this admit, is that Demar needs a veteran "competitor" to take his minutes and show him what it takes. To mentor a raw, but 21 year old talent. It defines how Andrea needs a mean ass Big, past his prime, who’d love to show Bargs what effort is all about. And how 5 more “efforts” could make a world of difference. This game shows what a talent Davis could be; he just needs a nutritionist (not the vegetarian kind), and lots of practice. It also makes we believe that Amir should seek out a permanent assistant who is schooled in physiotherapy.
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Whatever else happens after that – and there will be something – Raptors must resolve how much they use of their resources. We have a significant number of tradeable assets and new prospects to pick up, that the next moves are very important. That’s not a problem. It’s an opportunity. It’s not just up to BC either. If Colangelo is given an extension (please no rants), and can go forward knowing his job has some stability to it, then Raptors have a perfect opportunity to go to the next level.
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The way I look at it – if it wasn’t for the training, this year would have no relevance. Of course, if Toronto (aka BC) doesn’t tread lightly with his TPE & such, it could very much become a problem.

It’s why Jose Calderon’s performance was so important last night. It’s his performance that defines what a professional manner is all about.

Great epilogue.

Calderon showed what a selfless player he was during the TJ Ford episode. The same negative bunch that criticised him in the past will attack again on the next game he has that is less than par.
This has been a very good write up by Vicious D. My problem is with the coaching. I love the idea that Jay is Canadian coaching in the NBA. I think he has earned it. Despite that, there is either something wrong with the coaching staff or there is an intellectual shortage with some of the players. After every game, Jay goes to the media scrum and says the same thing; we have to do a better job of closing out on the shooters, we have to rebound the ball better, we have to defend the pick and roll better, we have to protect the ball better.
 Are those things are not that complicated, is the student failing the teacher or the teacher failing the student? I have to say it over and over, it can’t be that complicated after all these guys have played for big time university programs so how could this be all new to them? Either the coaches don’t know what they are doing or they are incapable of teaching it or they have not got the balls to hold these guys accountable.

About the communication on defense, especially from the back line. Yet again, who is responsible to make that happen with the players there now. Someone should have stepped up by now.
I am one who would resign Reggie because he brought something you can put numbers to and that is leadership.