Jose Calderon vs. Steve Nash' early career
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Jose Calderon vs. Steve Nash' early career
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- Sixth Man
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Jose Calderon vs. Steve Nash' early career
Since I see a lot of people comparing Calderon's game to Nash' (Nash is far superior, I know this. I'm not delusional), I thought I'd do a quick statistical analysis. I just did this really quickly, so don't jump all over me for it, but I found it pretty interesting.
I'm not implying anything here at all & I'm certainly not saying that Jose will be the next Nash, but there certainly are some intriguing similarities.
Jose's 3rd (current) season to-date:
12.9 ppg
8.9 apg
1.61 topg
54.4 fg%
47.2 3pt%
92.3 ft%
in 31.9 mpg.
Nash' 3rd season:
7.9 ppg
5.5 apg
2.08 topg
36.3 fg%
37.4 3pt%
82.6 ft%
in 31.7 mpg.
So Jose in his 3rd season is substantially better than nash was, while playing similar minutes. It should also be pointed out that those numbers I posted are Jose's numbers on the entire season thus far, and not strictly as a starter.
Steve Nash at 27 years old (Jose's age)
17.9 ppg
7.7 apg
2.79 topg
48.3 fg%
45.5 3pt%
88.7 ft%
in 34.6 mpg.
So when Nash was Jose's age, the only statistical category he had the advantage over Jose in (this season) was PPG. Everything else Jose has/had the advantage. They played on similarly structured teams, in that they both have/had one superstar (Bosh/Dirk) & some good role players to defer to, and were relied upon as the primary ballhandler & distributer.
That wasn't until Nash' 6th year in the league. Jose is currently in his 3rd.
I'm not predicting anything here at all, just decided to look it up & found it very interesting, especially considering the similarities in their games & their respective teams/roles at the time.
Just some food for thought. =)
EDIT: I didn't include their first 2 seasons, but they both had a similar progression as well, from struggling as a rookie to improving & becoming serviceable players in their sophomore seasons.
There really are a lot of similarities between the two.
I'm not implying anything here at all & I'm certainly not saying that Jose will be the next Nash, but there certainly are some intriguing similarities.
Jose's 3rd (current) season to-date:
12.9 ppg
8.9 apg
1.61 topg
54.4 fg%
47.2 3pt%
92.3 ft%
in 31.9 mpg.
Nash' 3rd season:
7.9 ppg
5.5 apg
2.08 topg
36.3 fg%
37.4 3pt%
82.6 ft%
in 31.7 mpg.
So Jose in his 3rd season is substantially better than nash was, while playing similar minutes. It should also be pointed out that those numbers I posted are Jose's numbers on the entire season thus far, and not strictly as a starter.
Steve Nash at 27 years old (Jose's age)
17.9 ppg
7.7 apg
2.79 topg
48.3 fg%
45.5 3pt%
88.7 ft%
in 34.6 mpg.
So when Nash was Jose's age, the only statistical category he had the advantage over Jose in (this season) was PPG. Everything else Jose has/had the advantage. They played on similarly structured teams, in that they both have/had one superstar (Bosh/Dirk) & some good role players to defer to, and were relied upon as the primary ballhandler & distributer.
That wasn't until Nash' 6th year in the league. Jose is currently in his 3rd.
I'm not predicting anything here at all, just decided to look it up & found it very interesting, especially considering the similarities in their games & their respective teams/roles at the time.
Just some food for thought. =)
EDIT: I didn't include their first 2 seasons, but they both had a similar progression as well, from struggling as a rookie to improving & becoming serviceable players in their sophomore seasons.
There really are a lot of similarities between the two.
Chuck Swirsky wrote:Leo, Is Bargnani really traveling, or is it just that the refs aren't used to a big-man that moves this quick?
That explains everything... Apparently Bargnani is just too quick for the refs.

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Even if they're different playaers, I'd say that Nash at 27 was clearly better than Calderon now.
The system Nelson was running was different and that's why he wasn't averaging more assists, but Nash was imo already the best PG in the NBA, when healthy => on offence for sure.
I'm not sure Calderon can create offence, for himself or for the others, the way Nash did. He can run it, find the best option, but not create opportunities that are not there.
The system Nelson was running was different and that's why he wasn't averaging more assists, but Nash was imo already the best PG in the NBA, when healthy => on offence for sure.
I'm not sure Calderon can create offence, for himself or for the others, the way Nash did. He can run it, find the best option, but not create opportunities that are not there.
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I actually think Jose is a much more similar player to John Stockton than he is to Steve Nash. Not in terms of level of play, obviously, but in terms of styles.
Nash is able to penetrate at will & abuse teams off the dribble, which isn't really Jose's style. Stockton was much more fundamental & didn't have a lot of flash to his game. He just made the right pass & got people the ball in the right spots. He was more of a 'smart' player with the ball in that he didn't take a lot of risks, and much like Jose he shred up opposing defenses with the pick & roll.
Nash is able to penetrate at will & abuse teams off the dribble, which isn't really Jose's style. Stockton was much more fundamental & didn't have a lot of flash to his game. He just made the right pass & got people the ball in the right spots. He was more of a 'smart' player with the ball in that he didn't take a lot of risks, and much like Jose he shred up opposing defenses with the pick & roll.
Chuck Swirsky wrote:Leo, Is Bargnani really traveling, or is it just that the refs aren't used to a big-man that moves this quick?
That explains everything... Apparently Bargnani is just too quick for the refs.

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Just strictly comparing numbers here.
Jose Calderon (as a starter):
14.5 ppg
10.0 apg
55% shooting
48% 3pt
92% ft
3.5 rpg
1.2 spg
36 min/game
Steve Nash (04/05 mvp season):
15.5 ppg
11.5 apg
50.2% shooting
43% 3pt
88.7% ft
3.6 rpg
1.3 spg
34 min/game
Nash barely scored more, averaged a dime more a game, Jose's shooting a lot better, rebounding and steals rates are almost identical, but Jose plays 2 more minutes a game.
Jose Calderon (as a starter):
14.5 ppg
10.0 apg
55% shooting
48% 3pt
92% ft
3.5 rpg
1.2 spg
36 min/game
Steve Nash (04/05 mvp season):
15.5 ppg
11.5 apg
50.2% shooting
43% 3pt
88.7% ft
3.6 rpg
1.3 spg
34 min/game
Nash barely scored more, averaged a dime more a game, Jose's shooting a lot better, rebounding and steals rates are almost identical, but Jose plays 2 more minutes a game.
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supersub15 wrote:Jose is nothing like Steve Nash. He's more of a John Stockton, in that he's a master at the pick and roll, doesn't shoot much (would rather set his teammates up) and is a heady player.
+1
why was hakeem called "the dream"??"
Because it rhymes with 'Olajuwon'.
remember Canadians are just Mexicans with sweaters
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supersub15 wrote:Jose is nothing like Steve Nash. He's more of a John Stockton, in that he's a master at the pick and roll, doesn't shoot much (would rather set his teammates up) and is a heady player.
Alas, I give you my Jose Calderon/John Stockton stastical comparison!
Again, they had comparable rookie & sophomore seasons. Stockton didn't appear to be anything special, statistically, as a rookie. Much like Calderon he showed a slight improvement in his second season. I'll start at the 3rd season on though, since this is really the first opportunity Calderon's had getting good minutes as a starter.
Stockton's 3rd season:
7.9 ppg
8.2 apg
2.05 topg
48.9 fg%
18.4 3pt%
78.2 ft%
in 22.7 mpg
So statistically Jose was better across the board, but he also did it in 9 more minutes a game.
Stockton at 27 years old (Jose's age)
17.1 ppg
13.6 apg
3.76 topg
53.8 fg%
24.2 3pt%
86.3 ft%
in 38.7 mpg
As you can see, his numbers at 27 were clearly much better than Jose's are right now. But I mean... we're talking about John Stockton here. That was in Stockton's 5th year in the league though, while Jose's currently in his 3rd.
Stockton really blew up in his 4th season, putting up:
14.7 ppg
13.8 apg
3.2 topg
57.4 fg%
35.8 3pt%
84 ft%
in 34.7 mpg
When you really look at it, the only really astounding numbers there are his assist numbers & his fg%, both of which are Jose's greatest strength.
Up until year #3 they've had a similar progression, and they both have a very similar style of play. Year #4 is when Stockton really broke out, so it should be very interesting to see what Calderon can do next season if he gets enough minutes.
I don't expect him to ever come anywhere close to Stockton's level of play... but again, his progression thus far, coupled with his style of play is very comparable.
Chuck Swirsky wrote:Leo, Is Bargnani really traveling, or is it just that the refs aren't used to a big-man that moves this quick?
That explains everything... Apparently Bargnani is just too quick for the refs.

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supersub15 wrote:Jose is nothing like Steve Nash. He's more of a John Stockton, in that he's a master at the pick and roll, doesn't shoot much (would rather set his teammates up) and is a heady player.
Except....
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/john_stockton/bio.html
John Stockton holds the NBA record for steals and made the All-Defensive team 3 times in his career.
Postbro1 wrote:Obama is right on this.
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Lol, well yes, defense is a whole other story. Jose seems to be a hard worker though, so hopefully over the offseason he can improve enough to at least be an average defender.
I just had a thought... there has been so much talk about getting a big man coach for Bargnani, but would it be that far out of the realm of possiblity to consider giving a Stockton a call for Jose (and TJ)?
Considering the striking similarities in their games & attitudes, having somebody like Stockton working day-by-day alongside Jose could turn out to be an absolutely brilliant move.
I just had a thought... there has been so much talk about getting a big man coach for Bargnani, but would it be that far out of the realm of possiblity to consider giving a Stockton a call for Jose (and TJ)?
Considering the striking similarities in their games & attitudes, having somebody like Stockton working day-by-day alongside Jose could turn out to be an absolutely brilliant move.
Chuck Swirsky wrote:Leo, Is Bargnani really traveling, or is it just that the refs aren't used to a big-man that moves this quick?
That explains everything... Apparently Bargnani is just too quick for the refs.

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Hank_Scorpio wrote:-= original quote snipped =-
Except....
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/john_stockton/bio.html
John Stockton holds the NBA record for steals and made the All-Defensive team 3 times in his career.
Case closed. Oh and just cause it's JC's third year in the NBA, does not mean he hasn't been playing elsewere prior to that, so you can count his Euro days as a factors. The smokers was trying to insinuate that it's JC third year only, and has time to get better then the rest with more years. Comparing them at 27 years is accurate, no need to say it's JC 3rd year and Nash's 7 year.
Re: Jose Calderon vs. Steve Nash' early career
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Re: Jose Calderon vs. Steve Nash' early career
smokersarejokers wrote:Jose's 3rd (current) season to-date:
12.9 ppg
8.9 apg
1.61 topg
54.4 fg%
47.2 3pt%
92.3 ft%
TJ11 wrote:Steve Nash (04/05 mvp season):
15.5 ppg
11.5 apg
50.2% shooting
43% 3pt
88.7% ft
3.6 rpg
1.3 spg
34 min/game
Nash barely scored more, averaged a dime more a game, Jose's shooting a lot better, rebounding and steals rates are almost identical, but Jose plays 2 more minutes a game.
Nash also turns the ball over 3.27 times a game.
smokersarejokers wrote:14.7 ppg
13.8 apg
3.2 topg
57.4 fg%
35.8 3pt%
84 ft%
in 34.7 mpg
So Jose is like Steve Nash, with less creativity, but less turn overs.
And like John Stockton, with less defense, but wayyy better 3pt% and less turnovers.
Even with admitting he is not on their level, that doesn't say much as they are two of the best PG's ever to play the game.
No one can look at these stats and conclude anything different than that Jose is playing out of his mind!
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Hank_Scorpio wrote:-= original quote snipped =-
Except....
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/john_stockton/bio.html
John Stockton holds the NBA record for steals and made the All-Defensive team 3 times in his career.
Aaaah, the good ole' days of clutching and grabbing on the perimeter and setting illegal screens with elbows out and the whole nine yards.
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supersub15 wrote:Jose is nothing like Steve Nash. He's more of a John Stockton, in that he's a master at the pick and roll, doesn't shoot much (would rather set his teammates up) and is a heady player.
Think that every time I see him play.
I think another factor is matching players. I never thought Nash and Nelson fit the rest of that team thought they fit with each other.
Calderon, I think matches the Raptors better than nash fit in Dallas.
My only knock on Calderon is that he seems to play a half court game and set people up for shots, so when guys are slashing, or bargs is set up in the post they get overlooked for a shooter. This is improving though.
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Lanny-Barbie wrote:-= original quote snipped =-
Are you trying to say that Stockton's three years on the all D team are a sham?
Not a sham for his era.
Think about this for a second. Stockton was slow as molasses as compared to some of the speedsters of this era, yet he was always lauded as a defensive wiz. Why?
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This probably won't be popular but Nash/Jose aren't far off. Nash is overrated by alot of people on this board. He is good, but much of his game is because of the system he plays in that favors PG. Suns offensive system allows Nash to dominate the ball and that allows him to either get an assist or score, therefore his stats favor that. Even with the crazy numbers Calderon is putting up here, he would be putting up greater numbers in Phoenix because of the open system they play and amount of consistent scorers they have.
If Calderon is now the player we have seen since the TJ injury then he is only one notch below Nash. The only thing separating them is Nash ablility to score. Calderon is as good shooter but problem sometimes with Calderon is he is satified just dumping to Bosh or just swinging the ball to one of our guards to make a play. You will see him go 3-5minutes stretches where he doesn't even try score but passively just pass the ball across the perimeter. He should try to penetrate more for either scoring or kicking it to the open man. We've seen that he is the ablity to pressure the defense to get whatever he wants, but once he starts doing this throughout the whole game, he will be no different from Nash.
If Calderon is now the player we have seen since the TJ injury then he is only one notch below Nash. The only thing separating them is Nash ablility to score. Calderon is as good shooter but problem sometimes with Calderon is he is satified just dumping to Bosh or just swinging the ball to one of our guards to make a play. You will see him go 3-5minutes stretches where he doesn't even try score but passively just pass the ball across the perimeter. He should try to penetrate more for either scoring or kicking it to the open man. We've seen that he is the ablity to pressure the defense to get whatever he wants, but once he starts doing this throughout the whole game, he will be no different from Nash.