Jose Calderon News: Pro Sports Daily

Raptors erase 22-point deficit to beat Clippers

Comment

November 14

Toronto Star

"If there was an easy answer, Jay Triano would tell everyone. But there isn't, so all he can really do is sit back and marvel at the kind of rollercoaster night his Raptors can put people through. For the second successive game, they had moments in the first half where they were atrocious but they came storming back to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 104-89 at the Staples Center here last night. The coach was happy, but not amused."

Calderon leads the charge

Comment

November 7

Toronto Sun

"In the midst of Jose Calderon's slow start to the season, Jay Triano had heard enough of the second guessing. Following an up-tempo Saturday afternoon practice recently, question No. 2,000 about Calderon's laboured start left Triano shaking his head. With a pained expression Triano pointed out: "It's not as if he woke up this morning and became a bad player." Last night in the Big Easy, in Game 5 of an 82-game season, Calderon didn't need anyone to defend his abilities. They were in full view on the court. With even the most faithful of Raptor followers predicting a long night with a red-hot Chris Paul lying in wait for Calderon and the Raptors' much-maligned defence, the wee Spaniard ..."

Raps defence puts brakes on Paul

Comment

November 7

Toronto Sun

"A team-high 21 points and 18 assists is a good night at any level, but last night those numbers belonging to New Orleans' Chris Paul were actually good for the visiting Raptors. Paul, who came in averaging 30 points and just over eight assists a game, came out firing last night and appeared to be on his way to another top effort when he took a 17-point, 10-assist line to the locker room at halftime. But some key adjustments by the Raptors saw the visitors hold Paul scoreless for the third quarter and limit him to just three assists as they took over the game. Ask Raptors head coach Jay Triano and it took a consummate team effort to pull it off."

Raptors' fiery Jose Calderon silences critics

Comment

November 7

Toronto Star

"Jose Calderon knows what was being written and what was being said and what was being suggested. And as the Raptors' point guard pumped his fists and let out a primal scream and showed more outward emotion than he usually does, he was striking out not just at the New Orleans Hornets on Friday night but at the circumstances over the past week and a half that had led to so many questions. He was angry, at himself and the spot he found himself in, and he took it out on the Hornets."

Starting slowly

Comment

November 6

Toronto Sun

"It's obvious that Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo did not sign point guard Jarrett Jack this summer because he's a big fan of alliteration or because Jack is a buddy of Chris Bosh. Colangelo acquired the former Georgia Tech star (he played with Bosh during the 2002-03 season) because Jack gives the Raptors a second, quite able, ball-handler at the point, something extremely valuable if Jose Calderon is out or having an off day. That was exactly the situation in Toronto's 110-99 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday. Calderon struggled, managing nine points and just one assist in almost 32 minutes of play. But Jack, along with others on the bench, including Antoine Wright and Amir ..."

Plenty of hands reach out to Jose Calderon

Comment

October 11

Toronto Star

"Decisions, decisions, decisions. Welcome to Jose Calderon's world. As the guy usually in charge of initiating the Raptors' offence, the fourth-year point guard is going to have to get used to having – for him – a plethora of possibilities each time down the floor."

Calderon getting to know the new guys

Comment

October 6

Toronto Star

"Jose Calderon has more than himself to worry about as the Raptors begin playing exhibition games Tuesday night. Yes, he needs to get himself back into game shape after a summer of inactivity. But with nine new teammates to get acclimated to, it's as much about the others as it is about the four-year veteran point guard. "I just have to get everyone involved," Calderon said after the Raptors worked out Monday at the Air Canada Centre. "I know what CB (Chris Bosh) likes, and some others but there are new guys to learn."

Calderon points finger

Comment

September 26

Toronto Sun

"Raptors point guard Jose Calderon said he was "embarrassed" on the court at times last season because of his inability to play defence and his lack of mobility with the ball. And for that reason, the fifth-year Raptor dedicated the summer to becoming totally healthy in preparation for the upcoming NBA season -- and that meant not playing for the Spanish team at the recent European championships in Poland. Normally, Calderon loves playing for his country. But this summer, it was all about preparing for the NBA season and showing the Raptors that his best basketball is still in front of him. "I was terrible since January," Calderon said in a candid interview at the Angus Glen Golf Club ..."

Raptors GM has big plans

Comment

April 21

Toronto Sun

"Bryan Colangelo wants Jay Triano to coach, retain an affordable Shawn Marion, more toughness, depth behind Jose Calderon, the return of Carlos Delfino and starter Anthony Parker to switch to a bench role. The Raptors general manager can have a big say in all these issues, but one thing he can't control is what franchise player Chris Bosh will do in the next 16 months. The shadow of July 1, 2010, already was clouding Colangelo's rallying call yesterday at the Air Canada Centre. "I had a very good conversation with Chris the other day in Chicago in our formal exit interview," Colangelo said. "We didn't talk about the future, we talked about some of the things we experienced this year (a ..."

Calderon gives Raptors reason to feel upbeat

Comment

April 3

Toronto Star

"In the idle hours before the Raptors won their fifth straight game Wednesday night, Dwight Howard, the Orlando centre, announced to the home team's locker room that he'd recently spent time at a Ferrari dealership. Soon, Howard said, he'd be taking delivery of an Italian-made V12, "like the one Michael (Jordan) had." Perhaps because Howard is a 7-footer who could presumably sit on a Ferrari's rear spoiler and still reach the throttle, the room erupted with widespread guffawing. "Yo, you can't fit in no Ferrari," said Rafer Alston, the Magic point guard, busting a gut. "Your knees would be in your chest.""

Jose's in the zone

Comment

March 31

Toronto Sun

"The day will arrive when Jose Calderon will reflect with pride on the individual accolades he achieved. But that time hasn't arrived. When he vaulted near the top of the NBA's list for consecutive makes from the charity stripe, Calderon wasn't overly concerned at the attention. When he tied Damon Stoudamire's Raptors record by dishing off 19 assists, Calderon, while honoured, wasn't exactly overcome with emotion. "I think this kind of record is something you look back at when you are finished playing," Calderon said. "It is great to be right there with Stoudamire. He was a great player for the Raptors, so I am happy." Calderon joined Mighty Mouse in Sunday's overtime win over Chicago. ..."

Meaningless games key ones for Calderon

Comment

March 30

Globe and Mail

"Jose Calderon's supporters believe there is much more to him than he's shown this season, that he is in fact capable of creating his own shot and matching up against the NBA's elite at both ends of the court. They lay the blame on a lingering hamstring injury that has healed to the point where teammate Chris Bosh says Calderon is now "closer to 100 per cent than he's been all year." We'll see. The Toronto Raptors have nine games left and not much to play for. But that's not the case with Calderon, who needs to make a point - in more ways than one. Yesterday, Calderon tied Damon Stoudamire's franchise record with 19 assists (and had 21 points) in a 134-129 overtime win over the Chicago ..."

Bosh, Calderon injuries not as bad as originally feared

Comment

February 5

TSN.ca

"The Toronto Raptors received some good news Thursday as they learned that they would not be without their two biggest stars for an extended stretch. All-Star forward Chris Bosh left Wednesday's loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the fourth quarter with a sprained right knee, however there was no structural damage detected. Although he is doubtful for Friday's game against the New Orleans Hornets, he did travel with the team. He remains day-to-day for the remainder of the Raptors three-game road trip."

Raptors back in good hands with Calderon

Comment

January 25

Toronto Sun

"Jose Calderon isn't sure if the discomfort in his tender right hamstring will resurface. It may happen today, next week, next month or it may not happen at all. All Calderon knows with certainty is that he is feeling good. And as long as he's able to play relatively pain-free, the Raptors will be in good hands. "I don't know if the pain will come back," Calderon said yesterday, a day after his return to the roster helped the Raptors end an onerous seven-game losing streak with a 114-94 win over the Chicago Bulls. "The bottom line is that I'm going to need rest and that's not going to happen until the summer," he said. Calderon is so important to the Raptors that an argument can be ..."

Calderon's return gives reeling team reason for hope

Comment

January 23

Toronto Star

"The Raptors can do all the soul-searching they want and talk until they are blue in the face about being more consistent and more aggressive and more intense. But the thing that might help them the most as they try to snap a gory seven-game losing streak is a veteran point guard who usually speaks louder with his actions than his words. Jose Calderon, who has missed 11 of Toronto's last 12 games – eight of those 11 being defeats – with a hamstring injury could well be back in his usual starting spot in the lineup here tonight, bringing a measure of normalcy to the Raptor rotation that's been lacking for weeks."

O'Neal and Calderon doubtful vs. Magic

Comment

January 4

Toronto Sun

"The Toronto Raptors will likely be without big guns Jermaine O'Neal and Jose Calderon for Sunday's game against the Orlando Magic and possibly for one or both of next week's road contests in Milwaukee and Washington. Calderon went for an MRI on Saturday afternoon to have a hamstring strain checked, but neither he or O'Neal (swollen knee) were active participants in this morning's workout at the Air Canada Centre. Calderon missed two games earlier this season with a hamstring problem. "We have to find out what's wrong and if there is something there (fix it)," Triano said. "The swelling with Jermaine is going down, so that's a good sign." Calderon was staying upbeat after an early season ..."

O'Neal and Calderon doubtful for Magic

Comment

January 3

Toronto Sun

"The Toronto Raptors will likely be without big guns Jermaine O’Neal and Jose Calderon for Sunday’s game against the Orlando Magic and possibly for one or both of next week’s road contests in Milwaukee and Washington. Calderon went for an MRI on Saturday afternoon to have a hamstring strain checked, but neither he or O’Neal (swollen knee) were active participants in this morning's workout at the Air Canada Centre. Calderon missed two games earlier this season with a hamstring problem. “We have to find out what’s wrong and if there is something there (fix it),” Triano said. “The swelling with Jermaine is going down, so that’s a good sign.” Calderon was staying upbeat after an early season ..."

Calderon chases mark

Comment

December 22

Toronto Sun

"Jose Calderon might want to circle March 3 on his calendar. That's the night the Raptors pay a visit to Houston, the city which just happens to be home to the owner of the greatest single-season free-throw shooter in NBA history. Seems former Houston Rockets guard Calvin Murphy, who holds that distinction, is rather fond of it and is willing to do whatever possible to make sure he keeps the mark. Calderon has not missed a free throw since April 11 of last season. That's 62 successful free throws. This season, he is a perfect 59-for-59 after not making a trip to the line on Saturday in San Antonio. Over the 1980-81 season, Murhpy was successful on 206 of his 215 free throws -- an ..."

Calderon draws raves from Karl

Comment

December 3

Toronto Star

"George Karl is a pretty big fan of Raptors' Jose Calderon. In a conversation after Denver's shootaround yesterday morning, the Nuggets coach invoked the name of two good young point guards and one of the all-time greats when discussing Calderon. "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."

Calderon brings sandpaper to mix

Comment

December 2

Toronto Star

"Jose Calderon wrestled and struggled and wiggled and fought. He was displeased with the physical treatment he was getting from Derek Fisher as he and the Laker point guard battled for a loose ball Sunday night and the Raptor point guard made it apparent to everyone on the court and in the building that he wasn't going to take very much. A possession or two later, Calderon was called for a foul trying to corral Fisher and seconds later Fisher picked up a personal for a rather egregious attempt to stop Calderon's progress toward the basket. Referee Joey Crawford had enough during the ensuing stoppage in play during the third quarter of the Lakers' 112-99 win over the Raptors and the veteran ..."

Teams prey on hobbled Calderon

Comment

November 25

Globe and Mail

"It doesn't take long for game plans to be formulated in the NBA. Perceived strengths and weaknesses make their way around the league like a bad rumour in a schoolyard. And right now the game plan that other teams are building in advance of playing the Toronto Raptors is a simple one, and so far brutally effective: Attack Jose Calderon, and don't let up, never more since the Spanish guard began to try playing with a lingering a hamstring problem. Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers alluded to it before his team crushed the Raptors on Sunday, in part thanks to his young point guard, Rajon Rondo, who scored 15 points in 25 minutes, most of them coming off dribble penetration with Calderon ..."

Calderon heats up Raptors

Comment

November 20

Globe and Mail

"For a change, the game came easily to the Toronto Raptors. Or most of it did. They didn't play uphill by handing the ball over to their opponents 20 or more times, as has been their habit lately. They took advantage of the matchups provided by starting nearly 21 feet of front line in the form of Chris Bosh, Andrea Bargnani and Jermaine O'Neal and they got the kind of contributions - some timely three-point shooting, a steal or deflection - that they need from their supporting cast if they're going to win games on the road. And so they did, 101-95 over the Miami Heat at AmericanAirlines Arena to split their Florida swing and improve to 6-5 on the season, dropping Miami to 6-6. But it wasn't ..."

Calderon not ready

Comment

November 19

Toronto Sun

"Jose Calderon knew the answer even before he stepped on the court last night for the pre-game warmup: He wasn't ready. "He just didn't think he could do the things he needed to do," head coach Sam Mitchell said of his starting point guard who has been working through a strained hamstring. So, the Raps again turned to Will Solomon, with Calderon getting at least one more night of rest. Whether he plays tonight against Miami will be a game-time decision. But the Raptors weren't the only team dealing with injury woes here in Orlando. The Magic were forced to scratch Mickael Pietrus, their prized off-season acquisition. Pietrus, who has shown a knack for coming up with the big shot early in ..."

Calderon out for Raptors

Comment

November 16

Globe and Mail

"It was anticipated that Raptors coach Sam Mitchell would alter his starting lineup for today's game against the Miami Heat, and he didn't disappoint. Unhappy with the play of wing Jamario Moon, Mitchell has decided to7-footer Andrea Bargnani into the starting lineup at the small forward position. "The rationale is that he's playing better than the other two guys," Mitchell said, referring to Moon and his backup, Joey Graham. "We just got to find a way to get more out of that position. Andrea does give you a viable option of scoring, he can score the basketball. He's really made improvements defensively and rebounding the ball. "We just got to try to improve in the areas that we can improve ..."

Time to heal for Calderon

Comment

November 14

Toronto Star

"Jose Calderon has been poked, prodded and examined and it turns out the best thing for his sore right hamstring is rest. Luckily for the Raptors, they have some time. Reeling from four losses in five games which has reduced a 3-0 start to the season to a .500 record, the Raptors had a day to relax and reflect yesterday, one Calderon needed more than anyone. "This is the first time we've had three or four days off," Calderon said after sitting out the final quarter of Wednesday's 106-96 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers."

Calderon hurting, and so are Raptors

Comment

November 13

Toronto Star

"You would not blame Sam Mitchell and Bryan Colangelo if they snuck into Jose Calderon's bedroom under the cover of darkness so they could be there, anxious, when he wakes up today. Calderon, as vital a piece as there is to the Raptor puzzle, left last night's 106-96 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers with a tight right hamstring and the entire organization started holding its collective breath. "It feels a bit better now," Calderon said after almost an hour of treatment in the locker room. "(Today) we'll do some tests to see if everything is okay but I feel much better than I did out there on the court.""

It's all yours, Jose

Comment

October 9

Toronto Sun

"The 'Cal-de-ron' chants started floating down from the 300 level about the same time the point guard began raising the intensity level on the court for the Raptors. Jose Calderon had to admit that the house was stacked in his favour -- two big tour groups from Spain were in town -- but it wasn't hard for the rest of the 15,274 at the Air Canada Centre to join in. If there were any doubts that the Spaniard has won the hearts of all fans after last year's tug-of-war for playing time with the departed T.J. Ford, they were settled last night. Calderon not only had a lion's share of playing time at the position, he was one of the starters coach Sam Mitchell rode the longest in a 113-111 win ..."

Jose Calderon ready for pressure of leading team

Comment

October 9

Toronto Star

"Nate Robinson began pressuring Jose Calderon at about three-quarters court, trying to force the Raptors point guard to turn that way and then the other, to perhaps turn the ball over, to maybe take too long to get into the set he wanted to call. Calderon looked over the tiny New York Knicks defender, took a stutter-step left and then right, went past him quickly enough that there was no concern about a turnover and started to run Toronto's age-old high screen and roll play. It's the kind of pressure Calderon may get more often than not as teams test him in his new role as Toronto's starter and undisputed floor leader and if that's how it's going to be, that's quite fine with him."

Calderon apologizes for racist gesture

Comment

October 1

Toronto Star

"It took Jose Calderon a while to find the right words, the right tone, the right way to apologize. He'd heard the criticism and it hurt him. He needed to say he was sorry for taking part in a Spanish basketball team photo so many found so offensive, needed to let people know he realized his mistake and assure his fans it was in no way characteristic of the man he really is. He finally decided the only course of action was a direct one, to reach out to the people who cared enough to write, to try and explain his actions were in no way meant to show disrespect or cause pain. "I felt so bad about it, I needed to think about it for a long time," Calderon said. "I didn't want to answer every ..."

Calderon's batteries are recharged

Comment

September 26

Toronto Star

"There was time for family and friends, with movies to see and dinners to enjoy. There was time to bask in Olympic glory, time to relax and soak it all in. Time that has been foreign to Jose Calderon for more than a decade. After another summer of high-intensity basketball, training and playing and winning an Olympic medal, the 26-year-old Raptors point guard finally enjoyed some down time. "After (the Beijing Olympics) I went back to Spain for two weeks," Calderon said yesterday. "I was working out in the morning but it was like a vacation. Just rest, be with friends and family ... it was nice." And unusual."

Injury knocks Calderon off Spanish basketball roster

Comment

August 22

Toronto Star

"Jose Calderon will not play for Spain today in the Olympic men's basketball semifinals. The Raptor point guard has what's being called a partial tear of the adductor muscle, an injury revealed after an MRI here on Thursday. Toronto officials are following up with Spanish doctors to discover the severity of the injury, treatment options and a prognosis. The adductor is a group of muscles in the groin area that pull the legs together when they contract and also help stabilize the hip joint. They attach from the thigh to the pelvis. Calderon was hurt early in the fourth quarter of Spain's quarter-final win over Croatia at the Beijing Games. He had helped spur a 12-0 Spain run to start the ..."

Calderon given the ignition keys

Comment

July 10

Toronto Sun

"Following his rookie season with the Raptors, Jose Calderon thought about going home to Spain. And staying there. Fast forward two years, and Calderon not only is the club's starting point guard, but he also is set for life, after signing a new contract yesterday, reportedly worth between $7.5-$8.5 million US per year for five seasons. "It was such a tough season. I got injured, we only won 27 games and I wasn't Jose Calderon. I couldn't play like myself," he said yesterday, of his first season with the Raptors in 2005-06. "That first year was very tough for me, but I tried to keep working and now I'm happy to be here.""

Raptors add O'Neal, re-sign Calderon

Comment

July 9

Toronto Star

"For one, it's a new start; for the other, it's a familiar feeling. For the Raptors? They can only hope greater things come from Wednesday's news. Making official what everyone's known for weeks, the Raptors finalized a deal for Jermaine O'Neal and re-signed point guard Jose Calderon, moves that solidify two key spots on the roster."

Guard Calderon says he has a deal to stay with the Raptors

Comment

July 2

Toronto Sun

"Not many doubts remained after the Raptors traded T.J. Ford to the Indiana Pacers last week, but Jose Calderon confirmed the expected yesterday, when he inferred on his website that he will be the Raptors' starter at point guard for years to come. "Early this morning, through my agents, I reached a preliminary agreement with the Toronto Raptors," Calderon wrote. "I want to thank Bryan Colangelo, Maurizio Gherardini, Sam Mitchell and all of the Raptors family for the confidence that they have placed in me. I am sure that together we are going to achieve big things in the future.""

Raptors' Colangelo wastes no time in signing Calderon

Comment

July 2

Toronto Star

"Never let it be said that Bryan Colangelo dithers. In one blistering overnight period, the Raptor president and general manager put a lot of the finishing touches on his 2008-09 roster, leaving him with just a couple of minor moves to make before sitting back and watching other teams sweat out the rest of the NBA free-agent season. Colangelo got Jose Calderon locked up to a long-term contract and signed Roko Ukic and Hassan Adams to deals that leave him with just one more spot to fill to get to the pared-down roster he wants to give coach Sam Mitchell this season."

Calderon can make Babcock proud

Comment

July 2

Toronto Star

columnist Dave Feschuk

"Rob Babcock, the former Raptors general manager who once described a 23-loss season as "enjoyable," has been the punchline to plenty of jokes in Raptorland, including: Who would trade Vince Carter for a slap in the face from Alonzo Mourning, the booby prize that turned out to be Joey Graham and two Williamses not named Serena and Venus? But nobody gets it wrong every time. So brace yourself for the self-congratulatory quotations emanating from Babcock's assistant-GM office in Minnesota when the Raptors begin next season with a T.J. Ford-less point guard rotation."

Raptors lock up Calderon

Comment

July 1

Globe and Mail

"The Toronto Raptors' point guard of the future is the man who has been in the position the longest. Jose Calderon announced that he had accepted an offer from the Raptors on his website earlier Tuesday. The deal will likely keep him in Toronto for the next five years NBA teams are prevented from commenting on pending free agent signings until July 9th, but a team source confirmed that the framework of a deal was in place."

Signing Calderon priority for Raptors minus Ford

Comment

July 1

Toronto Star

"NBA general managers were busy working the phones after midnight struck last night, trying to lay the groundwork for future acquisitions. Bryan Colangelo's main task was taking care of business close to home. The Raptors' president and general manager was expected to reach out to restricted free agent point guard Jose Calderon as soon as he could last night, taking the first step to getting the three-year veteran under a long-term contract. "You take care of priority No.1 and then you let the rest of the pieces fall into place," Colangelo said yesterday."

Calderon looks poised to remain a Raptor

Comment

June 11

Globe and Mail

"It's clearer than ever that Jose Calderon will be back with the Toronto Raptors. It's increasingly certain that his friend Jorge Garbajosa won't return. According to Spanish media reports the Raptors are negotiating a buyout of the last year of Garbajosa's contract with the NBA team, worth $4.25-million, which would officially end a relationship that started with considerable promise but effectively ended with a severe leg injury suffered in March of 2006."

Raptors begin pre-draft work

May 27

Toronto Star

"Bryan Colangelo has much more to do than just check out potential Raptors as the NBA's pre-draft camp begins today in Florida. "For me, it's a chance to initiate or follow up on some trade discussions as well," Toronto's president and general manager said in a telephone interview yesterday. "It's like a basketball convention." Colangelo, along with coach Sam Mitchell and a raft of front-office and scouting personnel, are descending on the camp with a variety of things to get done. It is no secret Toronto will be trying to set the parameters for a trade involving one of its point guards. There are free agents to talk about and a handful of high-powered agents are also planning to ..."