Garbajosa and Calderon: Spanish Raptors

[Neozyrus2]

Traslation of a opinion column in Marca the Nov, 2 by Eduardo Schnell.


Sam MItchell coach of the raptors for misfortune of many people among which I include myself, great monopolizer of attention, egomaniac as few ones and friend of practising the "me myself and I", praised the performance of Calderon: " TJ and Calderon have been phenomenal. They have been incredible: between the 2, 2 lost balls, 16 assistances and 27 points ". For coming from whom they come, for being the one who is and for being as he is, they have a great value. It hasnt been the best game of the ÑBA neither in the Raptors nor much less. Previously he has being great, specially in the past playoffs and during TJ's injury in the regular season. But i'm sure that this one has been the first one of a great season both in the personal aspect and in the collective one for Calderon. He deserves it.

He is the player who has progressed the most in the raptors in the last 3 years, who has worked the most, who has strained the most and the one that more trips and hobbles a coach with prejudices and with a system of game classist, rigidly and unremovable has put to. But Calde has been saving obstacle after obstacle: his integration in a new team, a new league, a new life, a different language, the law of the rookie and the norm non-written of that he was having to direct the raptors "B" or "C" in the field with what that means, and instead of doing the proper thing of a nba pg (I shoot and dont pass)) was involving all and was faithful to his style. He will have to keep fighting this year to a lot of injustices, but this sure will be his year.

Sam Mitchell forgot to say here that Calderon And Ford did almost the same stats but with the detail tha Ford played 31 min and Calderon 18 (and Calderon with better percentages).

 

[Neozyrus2]

In the second game Calderon again was way much better taht TJ ford but he played again less minutes than the american. This time the case was even worse :
Ford = 8points (most of them scored when the game was decided), 1rebound, 7assists, 3to's in 22 min.
Calderon = 10ponts, 4rebound, 8assists, 1to in 19 min.

Sometimes i think that Mitchell believes that if Calderon plays in one single game more minutes than TJ Ford the universe will explode.

Garbajosa who played 6 min ('cause Mitchell says he's not in shape and not totally recovered from his injury, what Garbo denies strongly), did 3 points and 3 rebounds. Imho what a way to waste a huge talent.

 

[Picek2]

Garbajosa who played 6 min ('cause Mitchell says he's not in shape and not totally recovered from his injury, what Garbo denies strongly), did 3 points and 3 rebounds. Imho what a way to waste a huge talent.

Toronto is a team who is full of players of more or less the same quality..
they don't have a real big superstar..
so I find it normal that not everyone can play as much as he would want..
and as long as they are winning and winning in style like against Nets yesterday there is no way Mitchell will change anything.. there is simply no need for that..
I like that team, mostly because there is a lot of european and "european" players there..
it will be a long season and everyone will get his chance..
Mitchell is a great coach and he knows what he is doing..

 

[Neozyrus2]

Mitchell is a great coach and he knows what he is doing..

I agree absolutely in everything with you except in this sentence.
Just a remainder of last season: Slokar didnt got a single minute while people like jackson and so did. Slokar proved in last EB that he is a man capable of doing great things, simply Sam Mitchell doesnt like a lot european players, he always say he does but his acts proves the opposite, and the GM of Raptors knows that, the only thing that saved him to being waved this summer was the fact that he won the "coach of the year" award. A prove of this "european" thinking, just remember that he said that he didnt saw a single game of Eurobasket and neither he wasnt interested. You want another prove of that? statistically when calderon has a bad day he usually plays 8-14 minutes and TJ Ford almost the rest, when TJ ford does a bad game he plays 22-27 minutes. In the statistics of last game , there's a section that says the importance of each player in the minutes he has been in the court by saying the diference in points against the other team that his team got while they were on court. There, Calderon had +36 and TJ Ford a +4. Im not saying that Calderon must be starting pg or something like that, but its a more than reasonable thing to give more minutes to the players that have a better night. Its just a logical thing, but Mitchell seems to only see in one direction: i rule. Sometimes in NBA you dont play more minutes the better u play, you play more minutes the higher salary u have, and im afrraid this is the case.

Another prove of this reasoning is that in the beginning of last season, Mitchell tried to play american-style with 10 second plays and trying to run all the time with poor results. When he understood (or maybe Colangelo or Gherardini told him to) that the right way to play with these players was a more eurpean form, the results started coming.

PS: Imho Garbajosa or Baston are objectively better than Kapono, Humphreys or Graham, but as i say this is only my opinion.

 

[Neozyrus2]

Nice video u have in the signature by the way, great 7m 3pointer of Tomas, i dont remenber who was the other team though

 

[Neozyrus2]

Bad game of Calderon against the Celtics; he was good at directing the team but quite bad at shooting, he ended with 5 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.
Garbajosa is still playing very little time: he did 3 points (1 3pointer) and a excellent defense in 7min.

 

[Neozyrus2]

http://forums.interbasket.net/showthread.php?p=122356&posted=1#post122356

 

[Neozyrus2]

In their last game, in a terrible terrible game of Toronto, Calderon did a really good game with 9 points, 2 rebounds and 8 assists (again better than TJ ford). Garbajosa played a little more this time (13 min) and did 3 points (1 3pointer), 3 rebounds, 1 steal. He did a decent defensive game but it took him a while to get into the game's pace.

 

[Neozyrus2]

Raptors lost again last night, this time with Orlando. Calderon was superb, thanks to him and Bargnani the raptors almost won the game, but coach Mitchell just took him out of the court in the last minutes (altough he was clearly the best in the court at that moment), and Raptors' options of winning just dissapeared.

Calderon did 10 points, 6 assista, 3 rebounds in 20 min.
Garbo almost didnt play last night, he played just 4 min in which he did some good defense and grabbed 2 rebounds.

 

[Neozyrus2]

Another good game of Calderon in the vistory of Toronto against Phi. Calderon did 9 points 7 assists and 2 steals in 15 min. Garbajosa didnt play a single minute . I just cant understand that (Even Pau Gasol said that something weird is going on on Garbo's situation).

 

[Neozyrus2]

Good game of Calderon in the huge victory of Toronto against Chicago. Offensively he didnt score a single point (he didnt even tried a shot) but he did a great direction of the team and was really good in defense. He ended with 9 assists and 3 rebounds.

Garbajosa got some minutes in this game. He ended with 5 points (1/1 2p, 1/3 3p), 1 rebound and 1 steal. He did some pretty good defense too. Hope that these minutes didnt come becasue of the huge difference, but im afraid so.

 

[mvblair2]

I'm doing my best Spanish translation here:

No Creo En Manos Negros - by Jorge Garbajosa, El Pais, November 12, 2007

...My situation is not what I'd like. I take it calmly and I'm training hard. The foot on which I had my operation left me without playing for about six months. This is the last I want to speak of it, because I'm tired of all the questions and stories circulating on this subject. The foot is fine, completely cured. I can move it 100%. I'm working like never before, trying to get back in the coach. I don't believe in black hands. I repeat, I don't think anyone wants to be prejudiced against me intentially and, whatever the case may be, that would be a difficult thing to presume. Simply put, the coach decdies who plays and who doesn't. I read a few statements from Maurizio Gheradini [ the vice-president and general manager of the Raptors, who said in the As paper that Garbajosa's game and endurance are not what they were since before the injury and that perhaps another surgery was needed before playing in Eurobasket]. His statements were odd, but there is no problem. He told me that his statement was not exactly that. I have a good relationship with him and he knows that I'm working hard. I've talked less with [president] Bryan Colangelo because he is a very busy man, but Maurizio is his right hand. I'm happy with their frankness, as they are with mine.

....Mi situación no es la que me gustaría. Me lo tomo con calma y entrenándome mucho. Dicho esto, una referencia al estado de mi pie, el que tuve que operarme y me dejó casi seis meses sin poder jugar. Será la última mención al tema porque estoy un poco harto de tantas historias como han circulado al respecto. El pie está bien, totalmente curado. Puedo rendir al 100%. Estoy trabajando como nunca, intentando volver a entrar en los planes del entrenador. No creo en manos negras. Repito, no creo que nadie quiera perjudicarme de manera intencionada y, en cualquier caso, sería muy difícil asumir algo así. Simplemente, el entrenador decide quién juega y quién no juega. Leí unas declaraciones de Maurizio Gherardini [el vicepresidente y director general de los Raptors afirmó en el diario As que el juego y la potencia de Garbajosa no son lo que eran antes de la lesión y que los médicos del equipo continúan opinando que debió operarse de nuevo y no jugar el Eurobasket]. Me extrañaron un poco algunas de sus frases, pero no hay problema. Me explicó que sus palabras no fueron exactamente ésas. Tengo una buena relación con él y sabe lo que estoy trabajando. Con Bryan Colangelo [presidente del club] he hablado menos porque tiene una agenda muy apretada, pero Maurizio es su mano derecha. Estoy contento con la franquicia y ellos conmigo.

At no time have I felt disheartened and I greatly appreciate the support of Toronto's fans. Everytime I come on the court, they give me a long appluase. They recognize me in the street, stop me, and give me support. I am not ever going to lose confidence in myself. I'm training hard on my part. I also get on the floor an hour and a half before practice and after games that I play a little in, which are unforunately fewer and fewer, I do extra physical excercising.

En ningún momento me he sentido señalado y debo agradecer su apoyo al público de Toronto. Cada vez que entro en la cancha me dedica una ovación muy intensa. Por la calle me reconocen, me paran y me animan. No voy a perder nunca la confianza en mí. Estoy entrenándome por mi cuenta. Suelo llegar una hora y media antes del inicio de cada ensayo y después de los partidos en los que juego poco, que desgraciadamente son ya varios, hago trabajo extra con un preparador físico.

For a while, this has been the most difficult time in my career. I talk with Rasho [Nesterovic, Slovenian center with 9 seasons in the NBA], who has been through every type of situation in the NBA, even one like mine. He's a monster. I don't understand how people can say he is in the later part of his career. He's won rings [he was on the Spurs 2005 Championship team] and is the first guy to practice so hard. He's also a really cultured person who knows about many subjects, not just basketball. For his part, Jose [Calderon] also helps me. The best thing to do is not obsess. The NBA is huge and there are chances for everyone. I'm sure that with hard work, I'll recover from this situation.

Desde luego, éste es el momento más duro de mi carrera. Hablo mucho con Rasho [Nesterovic, pívot esloveno que lleva nueve temporadas en la NBA], que ha pasado por todo tipo de situaciones en esta Liga, alguna parecida a ésta. Es un monstruo. No entiendo cómo hay quien escribe que es un veterano pasota. Ha ganado anillos [fue campeón con los Spurs en 2005] y es el primero que se entrena fuerte. Además, es una persona de una cultura muy amplia y hablamos de todo tipo de temas, no sólo de baloncesto. Por supuesto, Jose [Calderón] también me apoya. Lo mejor es no obsesionarse. La Liga es muy larga y habrá oportunidades para todos. Estoy seguro de que, a base de trabajo, voy a recuperarme de esta situación.

Looks like typical public relations stuff to me. He's saying all the right things during a pretty tough time for him. What does he mean when he says "I don't believe in black hands?" IS that like, well, "I don't think Sam Mitchell is biased?"

 

[Neozyrus2]

First of all , pretty good traduction, theres some mistakes but in any case yous spanish is much better than my english

And yeah i agree with u it seems the typical declaration to the press, he doesnt want to say anything that would get him into more trouble, although if the siuation persists, he will begin to speak louder and more clear i think.

Tonight he was interviewed in the most important Radio sport-show of Spain and he just said more or less the same, he added that he had some discussions with Raptors' doctors when he said them that he had consulted another doctors in Spain and that he had decided not to surgery again his anckle, he said too that his relationship with Gherardini is good and with Colangelo is almost inexistent but he didnt speak about Mitchell. Anyway i didnt like his tone, he seemed quite upset and pesimistic about his chances of increasing his minutes in the team if theres not some injury in another player of the team.

The "hay una mano negra" thing means that there is somebody in the shadows directing all the situation (normally a bad situation). In his case when he says that he doesnt believe in a "mano megra", he is saying that he doesnt want to believe that hes been punished for something and that his situation is a consequence of that. He cant find the reasons why his minutes has reduced so much but he wants to believe that training a lot and improving he will increase that number again. (he said that hes traning after the games between 1 hour and 2, normally alone but sometimes with Calderon or with Nesterovic). I dont know if i explained very well the "mano negra" meaning.

In Spain rumours had begun to appear if he decided to return. All important spanish teams would just give him whatever he would ask for to have him in his roster.
Anyway i believe that that would be a desperate solution for him, he only would consider it if he sees that his situation in the Raptors hasnt a solution.

 

[mvblair2]

First of all , pretty good traduction, theres some mistakes but in any case yous spanish is much better than my english

I doubt it, but thanks.

if the siuation persists, he will begin to speak louder and more clear i think.

He's in such a bizarre situation. Nobody has a great season like him and then loses all their playing time. In similar situations, a player has a great year, then gets a good contract and then disappoints for the rest of the season.

This situation would be easier to understand if Kapono, Delfino, Parker, Dixon, and this Moon fellow were playing fantastically, but they're not. They're actually playing worse than Garbajosa did last year, so it doesn't make sense.

Tonight he was interviewed in the most important Radio sport-show of Spain and he just said more or less the same, he added that he had some discussions with Raptors' doctors when he said them that he had consulted another doctors in Spain and that he had decided not to surgery again his anckle, he said too that his relationship with Gherardini is good and with Colangelo is almost inexistent but he didnt speak about Mitchell. Anyway i didnt like his tone, he seemed quite upset and pesimistic about his chances of increasing his minutes in the team if theres not some injury in another player of the team.

If he didn't even mention Sam Mitchell, than there is probably a problem. Maybe I'm reading too much into the situation.

--Matt

 

[Neozyrus2]

I doubt it, but thanks.
He's in such a bizarre situation. Nobody has a great season like him and then loses all their playing time. In similar situations, a player has a great year, then gets a good contract and then disappoints for the rest of the season.

This situation would be easier to understand if Kapono, Delfino, Parker, Dixon, and this Moon fellow were playing fantastically, but they're not. They're actually playing worse than Garbajosa did last year, so it doesn't make sense.
If he didn't even mention Sam Mitchell, than there is probably a problem. Maybe I'm reading too much into the situation.

--Matt

Kapono was signed as a shooting star and at the moment he hasnt demonstrated anything and even, he cant make any defense. Parker is not offensiely as good as he could be, Dixon is way too irregular and often he just shot without thinking too much, only Delfino seems to be doing quite a good job but here is still the question of the numbers that Garbajosa could be doing if he had the same ammount of minutes. Anyway this is not about to claim for a spot in the strarting 5, its about that he could get at least the same ammount of minutes that these guys, as he has demostrated that he has, at least, the same quality that they have.

We could always wait a little more before calling Mulder and Scully.

 

[Neozyrus2]

Bad game of calderon last night in the defeat of Raptors against Jazz. In 15 min he only could do 6 points and 1 rebound. Garbajosa didnt played a single minute.

 

[Neozyrus2]

Calderon did some declarations when asked for his poibble future. His contract expires this summer.

"We will see what happens in summer, but is clear that everybody wants to play more and be more important in his team. Ive won some respect for the work im doing here, but we will see what happens in the future"

"Im really happy in Toronto, but it is obvious that i would like to be each day a better and more important player. We have only played 8 games, so we will see how things evolve in matters of minutes"

About Garbo he said: "Im sure that his situation is going to change" "He's ok, he training very well and he will come back to the team cause he's really important for us"



Im sure that if Garbo finally has to leave at the end of the season, there is a 95% of possibilities that Calderon wont continue on Toronto.

 

[mvblair2]

Thanks for the quotes, Neo.

"We will see what happens in summer, but is clear that everybody wants to play more and be more important in his team. Ive won some respect for the work im doing here, but we will see what happens in the future"

"Im really happy in Toronto, but it is obvious that i would like to be each day a better and more important player. We have only played 8 games, so we will see how things evolve in matters of minutes"

I think that Calderon is being a little modest. I know he wants more playing time, but he is doing a great job for that team. I don't think he should complain. If the Raptors don't keep him, I'm sure another NBA team (Cleveland, Miami) will try to get him, although he'll always have the option of playing with an EL team.

Garbajosa can complain. Still.

Last night, during the Mavs-Spurs game, David Aldridge from ESPN reported that the Raptors were not playing Garbajosa because they think he needs rest from exhaustion. Obviously Garbo doesn't think that, but the Raptors apparently do.

 

[Neozyrus2]

I think that Calderon is being a little modest. I know he wants more playing time, but he is doing a great job for that team. I don't think he should complain. If the Raptors don't keep him, I'm sure another NBA team (Cleveland, Miami) will try to get him, although he'll always have the option of playing with an EL team.

I really dont think he's complaining, i just think that he likes being in Toronto, but after 3 years in the league, now he sees that he could be the starting pg in 5-10 teams and play about 30 min per game, not mentioning the moneys he could do.

Last night, during the Mavs-Spurs game, David Aldridge from ESPN reported that the Raptors were not playing Garbajosa because they think he needs rest from exhaustion. Obviously Garbo doesn't think that, but the Raptors apparently do.

Yeah thats what Raptors management sometimes said, but other times Mitchell has said that he's ok and that he doesnt play only for sport reasons... i dont know.

 

[Neozyrus2]

Great game for the spanish duo last night.

Calderon did an impressive game (although playing less minutes than TJ), he did 15 points with great percentages (4/6 2p, 2/2 3p, 1/1 1p), 10 assists (first double-double of the season), 2 rebounds and 1 steal. He directed the team incredibly.

Surprisingly Garbo played 24 min, with 8 points (1/2 2p, 2/5 3p), 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and some good defense. I would like to believe thatthis is the start of something, but tonight game was so extrange: Baston passed from being DNP to the starting 5, Nesterovic exactly the opposite, Bargnani played 4 min, Moon played 20 min and did a really bad game....

One thing that is clear is that this year Garbo wont play as sf, Mitchell wants him as a pf.