The New York Knicks are in need of a point guard, and a previous report revealed that Brandon Jennings of the Detroit Pistons was the leading candidate.
However, all that would depend on how Jennings performs after being taken out by a ruptured Achilles. For now, it seems the Knicks have hardly been impressed to try and strike a deal with Jennings.
Assuming, however, that the Knicks were ready to deal for Jennings (per Fox Sports), this means some players would have to go. The name that was mentioned (and obviously the only thing that made sense) was Jose Calderon.
Ironically, Calderon played for the Pistons in 2013 where he produced impressive numbers (11.3 points per game and 7.1 assists per game). The production of Calderon is not as eye-catching as other guards like Chris Paul or Kyrie Irving but the Knicks don’t seem to need one.
Rather, Calderon is trying to play out the role that the Knicks seem to need---a stabilizer and veteran playmaker who can make Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis look good.
At 34, Calderon understands the expectations of fans. They want to see someone who can score heavily to offset souped up teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers. Such reveals the lack of understanding of some basketball fans when it comes to putting up a team that was built for more than just scoring.
“As a player and a person, I try to do my best every night. Some nights it works better than others. I know guys want a 30-point point guard, but that’s not me,’’ says Calderon via the NY Posts.
The effort of Calderon may be inconsistent but he does try. The attention is understandable because it is one spot that the Knicks could improve on.
They do have young guards at present with Jerian Grant and Langston Galloway, but these guys may take time to bloom. With that said, the quarterbacking chores fall heavily on the shoulders of Calderon.
For now, Calderon will be staying put and head coach Derek Fisher seems to be fine with it.
“Jose’s doing his job,’’ Fisher adds in the same report. “I definitely can relate to his experiences being in a system as the lead guard who isn’t asked to do the same things point guards on other teams are asked to do and it may look like you’re not as capable at doing things on certain nights. That’s frustrating because you know you’re asked to do more if asked. The equalizer is winning. That’s what shuts people up.”
However, that doesn’t assure Calderon of his spot. Stranger things have happened before, and with the NBA trade deadline fast approaching (Feb. 18), Calderon could still be around or maybe playing somewhere else.