| Next Great Point Guard? |
For those of you that read my articles (all four of you), you already know that I am pretty impressed right now by Jose Calderon. I watched him flat-out destroy the Celtics on Wednesday night by pretty much penetrating at will, hitting every kind of shot, and making the correct pass in every situation. The Raptors shot 57% from the field and better than 70% from long-range on Wednesday, and while this was clearly an anomalously torrid shooting night for them credit still has to be given for Calderon breaking down the defense enough to lead to a lot of open shots.
I’d seen Calderon play before, but I’d never really paid that much attention to him. I figured him as a solid platoon-guy with T.J. Ford that could produce decently as a starter, but nothing really special. I scoffed a few weeks ago when I saw ESPN stat guru John Hollinger endorse Calderon for the All Star Game, but I’m scoffing no longer. After watching him Wednesday then really going back through his numbers over the last couple of seasons I’m ready to declare him worthy of mention in the same breath as his 2005 point guard classmates Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Ray Felton.
Now, my question for those that have been paying attention to Calderon for longer than I have: am I overreacting? Is he really THAT good? That one game was very impressive, but I don’t want to make myself look silly by lauding him so hard only to find out later that outside of that one game his numbers are generally a lot more hollow. Because before Ford’s injury Calderon came off the bench, and there was lots of talk that the Raptors might lose him this summer to free agency. But if Calderon is really as good as he looked on Wednesday, I can’t imagine that the Raptors would let him get away for any nor sit him again for any reason even with a solid player like Ford as the replacement. And for the rest of this season, Calderon is now firmly entrenched among the upper echelon point guards in my rankings. I once worried that Ford’s return would ruin his value, but right now I’m ready to declare him a top-30 fantasy player for the rest of the year. Am I wrong?
Posted by Professor at 1/24/2008 10:26:00 AM |
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| Selling Opportunity |
| As anyone on Wall Street will tell you, it's always best to sell before the market crashes. Right now, we think Dwyane Wade is a fantasy commodity who could go the way of the Dow Jones Industrial Average at any moment.
Let's consider:
- At a dismal 8-32, Miami's record is worse than every NBA team save for the T-Wolves. Pat Riley's squad has five fewer wins than the Knicks.
- Shaquille O'Neal is headed back to the bench for another two weeks or so due to continuing hip and knee problems.
- Wade still isn't 100 percent recovered from offseason surgeries on his shoulder and knee, and is currently nursing more bumps and bruises than a 40-year-old trying to learn to skateboard for the first time.
With all that going on, could anyone really blame Wade for taking a few weeks off to get completely healthy, while Miami solidifies its position in the Michael Beasley/Derrick Rose sweepstakes?
The other factor that makes this a prime selling opportunity: Wade is on fire. He's coming off a 42-point masterpiece against LeBron and the Cavs, and in his last five games he's scoring more than 27 points per game, shooting 44 percent from the floor and 50 percent from three, and dishing out 6.4 assists. His trade value has never been higher.
I'd start making offers myself... I have Wade in a few leagues. 'Course, now everyone knows why. Mental note... next time, make the trade before posting in the blog.
Posted by Charlie Zegers at 1/24/2008 7:23:00 AM |
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| Some Love For A Duo |
In the current NBA we are constantly bombarded with reports about trios. Everyone knows Boston's Big Three, while fantasy players are well aware of the trios in Phoenix and San Antonio. For me, I have always been a duo guy. Maybe it dates back to childhood when I watched cartoon duos like Batman and Robin, Fred and Barney or Tom and Jerry. There weren't a lot of trios. While the trios in the NBA are great, there is a duo act that is worthy of superhero status this month. Jason Richardson and Gerald Wallace of the Charlotte Bobcats.
Richardson, who has adjusted well since coming to Charlotte from Golden State, has been hot in January. Prior to Monday's game against the Spurs, Richardson was averaging 24.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.9 combined steals and blocks and making 2.7 3-pointers in 11 January games. These are numbers certainly worthy of superhero status to fantasy owners.
Not to be outdone, Wallace, who is flat out one of the most exciting players in the league, is averaging 25.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 3.6 combined steals and blocks and making 1.7 3-pointers per game in his 11 January contests. When this guy is on a roll, he needs a cape!
While the Bobcat team won't be confused with the Celtics, Suns or Spurs anytime soon, this duo doesn't take a back seat to anyone in terms of production. Maybe a cool nickname or people like me writing about them would get this duo the love they deserve.
Posted by Kyle Fisher at 1/23/2008 10:26:00 AM |
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