Calderón’s play has given the Mavs a new dimension on offense.
Note: This article was written by Russell Hodges.
The Dallas Mavericks are in the hunt.
Winners of four straight, the Mavs (48-31) are within arm’s reach of their third playoff bid in the last four years. Led by head coach Rick Carlisle and 12-time all-star Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavs are looking to rekindle the competitive fire that brought them an NBA championship back in 2011. The addition of Monta Ellis has given the Mavs a lethal pick-and-roll combination, while veterans Shawn Marion and Vince Carter continue to turn the clock back and play above expectations. Overlooked, however, was the Mavs’ signing of former Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons guard José Calderón, my TLM Unsung Hero of the Week.
The 32-year-old Spaniard is enjoying a very successful season despite spending more time off the ball. Despite averaging just 4.7 APG this season, 2.2 APG under his career average, Calderón is shooting a career-high 45.7% from three-point land, fifth best in the NBA. Out of his 412 three-point attempts, Calderón has converted 188 of them, sixth most in the league. Calderón’s 59.9% true shooting percentage (TS%) ranks third-best amongst NBA point guards and his 8.1 turnover ratio is fourth-best amongst NBA point guards. Lastly, Calderón is fifth in the league in adjusted field goal percentage and he is tied for eighth in the league with 2.4 three-point field goals made per game.
What’s more impressive is his adjustment to playing more minutes off the ball. Calderón spent seven years in Toronto, and in that time averaged 7.2 APG in 28.6 MPG. Calderón also spent a year in Detroit, where he averaged 6.6 APG in 31.7 MPG as the Pistons’ primary floor general. With Dallas, has had to secede control of the ball to Ellis in the majority of the Mavs’ offensive sets. Ellis is a guard who likes to be aggressive by attacking the basket and using screens and pick-and-roll opportunities to get to the rim. Essentially, Ellis is most threatening with the ball in his hands. Therefore, Calderón has had to adjust from running the offense to finding his role within the offense as a shooter.
And what a beautiful adjustment it has been.
Calderón is having a career year from the field. Moreover, Calderón’s success within the Mavs’ offense has occasionally drawn defenders away from Nowitzki, the Mavs’ most talented and most valuable player. After the Mavs’ overtime victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, Carlisle commented on Calderón’s toughness and his value to the franchise.
“He’s been a gamer all year.”
Short, sweet, and to the point; Calderón can ball.
By: Russell Hodges
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
