Even though it was a scant three seasons ago, that 47 win season after the (first) Colangelo overhaul feels like it was from another era. Bosh finally breaking out of his shell, the number one draft pick, an influx of guys who were quality on and off the court. And even the most cynical fan will still get misty when you talk about the tandem of TJ Ford and Jose Calderon. Thought of as the best one-two punch point guard duo in the league, we were spoiled when it came to guys who could quarterback a game.
But as with what happens so often in these situations, the team just wasn't big enough for both of them. After Ford got clocked by Al Horford, Jose stepped in beautifully and proved he was much better then his fallen partner. And the rest is history. Ford comes back, sulks his way back to the starting line-up, begins throwing away games single handedly, and had to be traded lest he poison the rest of the team. But the damage was done.
So began our rapid descent into mediocrity, with our newly appointed starting Spanish Fly seemingly always saddled with some kind of problem or excuse as to why he couldn't deliver for us. We launched this season with the same subordinance until lightning seemed to strike again - our starting point guard went down with an injury and his back up started to flourish. Under Jarrett Jack the ship started to right itself. The team had more confidence and swagger, and Jack made it a point to prove that he backs up nobody (In an almost Ripley's Believe it or Not kind of tangent, Jarrett Jack also took over TJ Ford's starting role on the Pacers the season after Ford was traded there by the Raptors).
So here we were with the same dilemma we were faced with a few years ago: The starting point guard was coming back, should he start or back up the now hot Jarrett Jack. We all remember that was the fight that sunk us in the first place, so the trade scenario's for Jose started flying fast and furious. We loved Jose, but figured we didn't need yet another point guard battle, and besides, Jose could probably net us some good assets.
But as the past few weeks have streamed by, we have been reminded why we loved Jose Calderon in the first place - his willingness to do anything to win.
We have all been so jaded by TJ Ford, a man who would rather his team go down in flames then sit on the bench, that we forget that the soft spoken Jose Calderon is cut from a much different cloth. His tenacity and heart and drive off the pine these last few games have been one of the primary reasons we're on the streak we're on right now. It almost looks like he's MORE comfortable being out of the starting line-up in that it is now not on his shoulders anymore to be a key factor in the game, which frees him up to be a little more ballsy with his playmaking (case in point: That unreal alley-oop to Amir from half court). He has actively put to shame all of us (including yours truly) that thought he was only worthy of being a trading chip.
And the best part is how accepting he seems of his role. I think if he was told he had to be the towel boy for a night, he wouldn't let a drop of sweat touch the floor all night. All he cares about his one thing: Making sure the Raptors get the W. He does what's best for his team, and we're a city that falls head over heels for quality guys like that.
One of my favorite moments from last night was seeing TJ Ford sitting on the Pacers bench doing his best Marcus Banks impression. For all his complaining and jawing, he now gets to watch his new team (who doesn't want him) get beat by his old team (that got rid of him) by not one but TWO guys who bested him for a starting point guard position.
He would be wise to learn a lesson from Jose Calderon – you can complain all you want, but in the end… winning is everything.
But as with what happens so often in these situations, the team just wasn't big enough for both of them. After Ford got clocked by Al Horford, Jose stepped in beautifully and proved he was much better then his fallen partner. And the rest is history. Ford comes back, sulks his way back to the starting line-up, begins throwing away games single handedly, and had to be traded lest he poison the rest of the team. But the damage was done.
So began our rapid descent into mediocrity, with our newly appointed starting Spanish Fly seemingly always saddled with some kind of problem or excuse as to why he couldn't deliver for us. We launched this season with the same subordinance until lightning seemed to strike again - our starting point guard went down with an injury and his back up started to flourish. Under Jarrett Jack the ship started to right itself. The team had more confidence and swagger, and Jack made it a point to prove that he backs up nobody (In an almost Ripley's Believe it or Not kind of tangent, Jarrett Jack also took over TJ Ford's starting role on the Pacers the season after Ford was traded there by the Raptors).
So here we were with the same dilemma we were faced with a few years ago: The starting point guard was coming back, should he start or back up the now hot Jarrett Jack. We all remember that was the fight that sunk us in the first place, so the trade scenario's for Jose started flying fast and furious. We loved Jose, but figured we didn't need yet another point guard battle, and besides, Jose could probably net us some good assets.
But as the past few weeks have streamed by, we have been reminded why we loved Jose Calderon in the first place - his willingness to do anything to win.
We have all been so jaded by TJ Ford, a man who would rather his team go down in flames then sit on the bench, that we forget that the soft spoken Jose Calderon is cut from a much different cloth. His tenacity and heart and drive off the pine these last few games have been one of the primary reasons we're on the streak we're on right now. It almost looks like he's MORE comfortable being out of the starting line-up in that it is now not on his shoulders anymore to be a key factor in the game, which frees him up to be a little more ballsy with his playmaking (case in point: That unreal alley-oop to Amir from half court). He has actively put to shame all of us (including yours truly) that thought he was only worthy of being a trading chip.
And the best part is how accepting he seems of his role. I think if he was told he had to be the towel boy for a night, he wouldn't let a drop of sweat touch the floor all night. All he cares about his one thing: Making sure the Raptors get the W. He does what's best for his team, and we're a city that falls head over heels for quality guys like that.
One of my favorite moments from last night was seeing TJ Ford sitting on the Pacers bench doing his best Marcus Banks impression. For all his complaining and jawing, he now gets to watch his new team (who doesn't want him) get beat by his old team (that got rid of him) by not one but TWO guys who bested him for a starting point guard position.
He would be wise to learn a lesson from Jose Calderon – you can complain all you want, but in the end… winning is everything.
