clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Is Jose Calderon the Greatest Point Guard in Raptors' history? (Poll)

Love him or hate him, Calderon has been an important piece of the Raptors organization for the past seven years. Will he go down as the greatest point guard this franchise has ever seen? The HQ's Chris Walder believes that could very well be the case.

By ChrisWalder
David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Jose Calderon.

Damon Stoudamire.

Alvin Williams.

Take your pick.

Looking back at the 18 year history of this franchise and the different number of point guards who have run this team, those three individuals stand heads and tails above the rest as the cream of the crop amongst Toronto guards.

As Raptors fans, we have all taken our fair share of shots at one Jose Calderon.

I suppose it's been easy at times.

This is the same guy who threw the ball away against the New Jersey Nets in Game 6 of the 2006-07 NBA Playoffs.

This is the same guy that's been constantly put on the back burner to allow more athletic (and possibly talented) point guards (i.e T.J Ford, Kyle Lowry) to run the offense.

This is the same guy who has irritated the fan base to no end with his subpar defensive ability.

Are you surprised to see him still wearing a Raptors uniform? I certainly am.

You'd think he starred in "The Matrix" with all of the bullets he's dodged over the years. By my estimations, he should have been dealt eons ago.

Regardless of the numerous complaints, criticisms and faults surrounding Jose, there is no denying his spot amongst the top point guards in franchise history.

To prove my point, let's take a look at some of his numbers in comparison to two former Raptor guards in Stoudamire and Williams.

MINUTES PLAYED

  1. Jose Calderon - 14442
  2. Alvin Williams - 11736
  3. Damon Stoudamire - 8209
POINTS
  1. Jose Calderon - 5031
  2. Damon Stoudamire - 3917
  3. Alvin Williams - 3876
ASSISTS
  1. Jose Calderon - 3647
  2. Alvin Williams - 1791
  3. Damon Stoudamire - 1761
Those are just a few of the statistical categories in which Calderon has an edge. He also ranks higher in career field goals (1941), three-point field goals (425), rebounds (1281), field goal percentage (.481), offensive rating (117.1), offensive win shares (32.5) and win shares (39.4).

I can't argue with the notion that Calderon only has better numbers because he's had a much longer tenure in a Raptors uniform.

That's understandable.

Should that be held against him when deciding whom the greatest point guard in the history of the franchise is?

Absolutely not.

When you look at statistics alone, it's hard to deny Jose Calderon the title as the best of the best amongst Toronto guards.

Is that enough of a reason though?

You could take Damon Stoudamire's tenure with the team into account. He was the first major crossover star (Canada to USA) this team ever had, as well as being the first player to win any major hardware (1996 NBA Rookie of the Year).

However, being the first doesn't necessarily make you the best.

How about Alvin Williams? Toronto sports fans love their tough, hard-nosed athletes. Williams was as tough as they came, playing through constant injuries and delivering a consistent presence at the point guard position during his stay with the Raptors.

His numbers may not represent it, but was Alvin's attitude, demeanor and style of play worthy of being at the top in Raptors history?

I love nothing more than a good debate. Nothing says Christmas day more than stirring a little controversy.

Is Jose Calderon the greatest point guard in Raptors history?

You decide.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays from all of us here at the HQ!

More From Raptors HQ