Jose Manuel Calderon: “We’re not that far away”
How’s been your life ever since your season with the Raptors came to an end?
Jose Manuel Calderon: The first part, just resting. From then on, trying to recover and getting in shape to be at 100 percent for the coming season.
How’s the leg feeling?
JMC: Feeling better. I’m doing a little bit more every day. Not doing an awful lot, but’s looking good. Little by little, it seems like everything is moving forward.
The season came to an end early for you and the Raptors. What do you think are the main reasons the team took a step back?
JMC: I think we were doing well, but there were several things… We changed the coach. Jermaine O’Neal didn’t adjust as well and we were hoping. He was a player too similar to Chris Bosh. They did similar things and it’s like Chris and Jermaine canceled each other out. After that, there was always something. My injury, Chris’ injury… Every time it looked like we were going to be on a roll, something happened that didn’t allow us to finish off the work. At the end of the season, when Shawn Marion came, that’s when we started to play the way we wanted, more up-tempo, when everybody was 100 percent physically… That’s when we proved we’re not that far away. We beat very good teams and we can be up there with them. We just have to make a few changes and some of them are under way. If we do that, we can fight with everybody.
What do you think of the moves Toronto is trying to make?
JMC: So far, so good. Let’s see what happens in the end. There’s a lot of work to be done still. It all started with the Kapono-for-Evans trade, which gave us a physical presence in the paint that we were probably lacking. Now, let’s wait and see what else we can get.
What’s your opinion about Hedo Turkoglu and David Lee, the two main players Toronto is reportedly pursuing?
JMC: Well, both are very, very interesting players. With any of those, the team will be very competitive. Let’s see which of them we’re able to land. We have a little bit of economic flexibility to sign players of maximum quality. Like I said, I think we are very close. This could be a thrilling project after the disappointment of last season. We could soon be doing very interesting things because the organization, the city and the people is fully behind the team.
How do you and your teammates cope with the uncertainty on Chris Bosh’s future and the fact that he’s asked all the time about 2010?
JMC: Well, it’s stuff that’s always going to be around. The media is always focused on things like these. It’s one of the negative things this sport has. You make friends, but at the end of the day we all change teams for one reason or another. You just have to wait and see what happens. Chris has been here with me at my campus (Campus Jose Manuel Calderon - Marca Extremadura). He’s a great friend. We all have to focus on the present, get ready for next season and have a good year together.
You are close, right? Is he your best friend on the team?
JMC: It’s one of my best friends. I’ve always gotten along well with pretty much everybody. Anthony Parker is a great friend too. With Chris, it was special to bring a player that has been to the All-Star Game so many times, that has a golden medal at the Olympics… He’s been with me four years, which is longer than anybody else. I thought it was great to have him around the kids in Caceres and Extremadura. It’s been real, real special.
From being around him, you have a hunch about what his decision is going to be?
JMC: Like I said, we never talk about that. We just focus on next season, that we have to be ready, that we know what mistakes we made last season and we want to do good this year. It’s the same with me: I just go year by year.
About the Spanish National Team… When exactly did you decide to pass on playing at the Eurobasket?
JMC: I had a few tests and the leg wasn’t feeling as well as I was hoping after all the problems I had gone through previously. That’s when I saw my body was letting me know that I needed to rest and that I needed to take care of myself. I have to pass on this Eurobasket no matter how much I want to take part in it. There’ll be more opportunities in future tournaments.
So passing on the tournament is a decision you made on your own, not influenced in any way by the Raptors?
JMC: No, they found out at the same time as the Spanish Federation. When we had the exit interviews, everything was up in the air (because the tournament was very late in the summer) and I told them I would confirm if I was going to play or not. I wanted to go through the tests, because I’ve had a pretty tough year, and I made the decision after that.
Your last game with Spain was at the Olympics. Had you been able to play at the final, do you think you would have beaten Team USA?
JMC: (Laughs) Who knows? There’s always ifs like that. We may have won or maybe we lose by a bigger margin. You never know. Let’s see if we can claim revenge next year at the World Championship or another Olympic Games.
Finally, what’s your take on the messy Ricky Rubio situation?
JMC: I just want to see it come to and end when he decides where he wants to play and all the stuff around him stops. That’s what he deserves. It’s his decision and he knows if he’s ready or not to go to the NBA better than anybody else.
Calderon Interview with HoopsHype Said,
July 3, 2009 @ 9:48 am
[...] Originally Posted by HoopsHype How
G Said,
July 3, 2009 @ 9:48 am
Jose is the man, and one of the most under rated commodities in the NBA!
sweetestbaby Said,
July 3, 2009 @ 11:26 am
The Raptors aren’t far away from a playoff spot but they’re far from getting past the first round. Calderon still doesn’t have a decent backup, DeRozan will need some developing and Anthony Parker as a backup isn’t a guarantee until he re-signs with Toronto and that’s still an if, Marion’s return isn’t a guarantee and he’s already getting old so I don’t know if he could take his game to another level and upgrading that spot with someone else like Turkoglu would cost the team Parker, Marion, and Delfino which leads to my point about their bench not being that deep, they still lack rebounding after Bosh and Bosh will be gone after this season whether it be through trade or losing him to free agency, and the sad part of it all is that Bosh is more worth trading than keeping with the bad habits that he has (overdoing the ballhandling and jumpshots). They’re better off trading Bosh now because teams will be patient to grab him without compensation as a free agent.
Raptor Fan Said,
July 3, 2009 @ 12:26 pm
I think raptors should trade Bosh for Butler and a few other players, bring them in to toronto and sign lee. I dont think it makes sense for us to sign turkoglu because his too expensive and his old, lee on the other hand would be a great fit for the raptors at the 4 spot and a replacement for bosh. Derozan is going to develope but he will need parker there with him to guide him because we need veterans… but we need to get rid of bosh even if it means for boozer and instead of signing lee we re-sign marion, we just need assurance at the 3-4 spot. Butler would provide us that as well…
Joey the Kid Menace Said,
July 3, 2009 @ 1:47 pm
Listen Jose Manuel is talking like Bosh is leaving and unfortunately needs to get rid of him too, the dude cant defend anyone, he would be the worst security becuase everybosy would pass him, listen trade him and bosh outta here and start with Derozan as your building block, these guys are too soft and they need to go, back to europe or to the former clippers.
Joey Menace
Jose Manuel Calderon: Said,
July 3, 2009 @ 4:08 pm
[...] Manuel Calderon:
MojtabaNos Said,
July 3, 2009 @ 7:02 pm
i disagree with you Joey. Bosh and Calderon are not too soft .. BUT i will say this CB4 is a good all star player but not a super star ! he can only do so much for raps, we need too wait or hope that Derozan becomes a solid all star that can finish games and take the big shots . Jose is good PG ! he has heart too maybe not defence..
i may be homering a lil
Whats up with raptors fans? Said,
July 3, 2009 @ 7:32 pm
What’s up with raptors fans? they say: everyone on the team sucks, trade Joey graham for Kobe…these trades are NOT going to happen. We should rebuild around DeRozan? A guy who has yet to play 1 NBA game, come on! They say: We should just go out and sign Lee or Turkoglu, without even thinking about the amount of money it would take and the fact that we would have to sign minimum salary players after that, so a starting 5 and no bench. Just enjoy the game and support your team and stop coming up with quick fixes and trades that will never happen, thats not the way it works….
Nick Said,
July 3, 2009 @ 9:47 pm
Linas Kleiza to Toronto-Please
Linkage for Jul 2 10am to Jul 3 10pm - Raptors Republic Said,
July 3, 2009 @ 10:00 pm
[...] HoopsHype.com NBA Blogs - Jorge Sierra » Jose Manuel Calderon: “We’re not that far… [...]
OGSwIsh Said,
July 3, 2009 @ 11:41 pm
I think Chris Bosh should go to the Bulls!
Joey the Kid Menace Said,
July 4, 2009 @ 10:32 am
To the fan who said whats up with raptor fans, I just want to say finally thank you to Mr Colangelo for bringing in Turkoglu, this is what I wanted form the start and yes we do need to build around derozan sure he hasnt played a game but I watched this kid play in college and he can play, and he will translate well in the nBA system since its more one-on-one. In my opinion Bosh has not been a go to guy down the stretch, Turkoglu is derozan will be mark my words. And me as a raptor fan dislike when bosh and calderon settle for jump shots at the end of the game, thats why I’m disssapointed as I pay to watch these guys shoot jump shots, I guess Kobe settles for those two right, I dont think so, his game is more, take it to the whole and score or draw a foul, hedo and derozan will do that and yes they are now away from being a soft team.
Thank you Colangelo I love you for brining in Turkoglu and Derozan.
Exec of the Year, u guys all watch
Jimbeam Said,
July 5, 2009 @ 2:04 am
The craptors suck, will be lucky to get m beasley for bosh, Turk contract is like peja’s last one and will be a burden, have no bench, team is soft, will win 30 games, bosh will be gone by feb for pennies on the dollar, maybe you can now get mcgrady back
Salaner Said,
July 5, 2009 @ 5:58 am
“Subpar” season? You have got to be joking. The guy breaks his career records for PPG, APG and MPG, plus he breaks the all-time NBA record for FT%! “Injury-riddled” season, yes. But not “subpar” - by a mile!
Fusions world Said,
July 6, 2009 @ 10:26 am
jimbean is a bug and has no basketball sense, with that being said things are looking up, and the rap are feeling much better. Turk is a solid player if not the missing link to this team with a lot of leadership. Derozen is a player who needs a mentor like Turk to get where he wants to be. Bosh hasn’t said anything about leaving and all you guys and girls are so scared that you make up your own trades on who the rap should get please. If you where my gm, I would never give you a time of day to speak. Because all that would become out is non-sense. Just let the wind blown and stop trying to catch it.
Jose Manuel Calderon: Said,
July 6, 2009 @ 11:31 am
[...] Manuel Calderon: