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Toronto Raptors: Creating the team’s all-time roster

By Mike Bossetti

Tracy McGrady (L) consoles Vince Carter after Carter fouled out against the Charlotte Hornets April 27, 1999. Kevin Willis (r) looks on dejectedly. (BERNARD WEIL/TORONTO STAR) (Photo by Bernard Weil/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
Tracy McGrady (L) consoles Vince Carter after Carter fouled out against the Charlotte Hornets April 27, 1999. Kevin Willis (r) looks on dejectedly. (BERNARD WEIL/TORONTO STAR) (Photo by Bernard Weil/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors – Jose Calderon (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Jose Calderon (2007-2008): Backup Point Guard

The first controversial pick of the list. During 2007-2008, Jose Calderon was the team’s backup point guard. Wouldn’t it make more sense for the team’s starter T.J. Ford to make this list?

If we were awarding the best seasons in Toronto history, absolutely. However, the goal of this list is to build a team, and with so many other talented scorers, Jose Calderon provides the team with exactly what it needs.

Calderon is a heady passer, a better defender than he is given credit for, and an elite three-point shooter. During the 2007-2008 season Calderon shot 42.9-percent from beyond the arc. That’s better than what Steph Curry shot last season.

He also averaged to manage 9.8 assists per 36 minutes. Swap out players like Andrea Bargnani and Jamario Moon for all-time greats like Vince Carter, and that already impressive number is bound to increase.

Considering his role, there really shouldn’t be a worry about Calderon’s offense. The biggest concern is his defense. However, it’s important to remember this version of Calderon is a 26-year old in the midst of his athletic prime, not the most recent version you have seen in Cleveland.

When building an all-time team it’s important to focus on the fit and what a player can offer. The truth is Calderon was born to play backup point guard and as long as he is deferring to the other, vastly superior players, he should fit in just fine.