UPDATED! No way, not Jose!
Steve Russell - Staff Photographer - @RussellPhotos
UPDATE, well it seems that Michael Jordan heard my plea and killed the Jose deal!
Toronto photographers rejoice!
Re-UPDATE, January 30, 2013, Jose Calderon rumored to be trades to the Memphis Grizzlies with Ed Davis for Rudy Gay, Jose is also rumored to being flipped to the Detroit Pistons. See the bottom of the blog for my favourites of Jose over the past two seasons.
Photographers that cover the Raptors have suffered their second big loss.
A lot of us will mourn the departure of Jose Calderon.
Jose and Chris Bosh both had what photographers love in a player, Great Face!
They did not play the game with straight faces.
Their faces showed us how much effort they put into a play.
They showed us the emotion, a look at their faces and you knew how the game was going.
I always felt good knowing that I was a tad taller than Jose,
I look at him and dream that if I was about 40 pounds lighter, quicker, had a better vertical, had a jump shot and could dribble that might be me in the NBA! I'm sure that is a dream shared by many!
While the jury, or fans are still out whether Chris Bosh will be booed whenever he visits the Air Canada Centre, I know Jose's visits will be welcomed like Matt Bonner's. Either way the departure of the pair makes my job a little tougher.
I'll also miss Jose for the small reason that he gave the Toronto one more cheer other than the "Go Raptors Go!" and "D-Fence!"
Buena Suerte en Charlotte, ....er, Memphis, ......, er, Detroit, Jose!
November 23, 2008 - Chris Bosh and Jose Calderon sit on the bench for the last three minutes as the Toronto Raptors are punished by the World Champion Boston Celtics 118-103 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. While it was a possiblility I hoped that the Raptors would have kept one of the two.
January 25, 2008 - Chris Bosh, 32 points-7 rebounds and 3 assists and Jose Calderon, 11-3-12, laugh as a video of Andrea Bargnani's head on a dancing Napoleon Dynamite plays on the scoreboard as the Toronto Raptors beat the Milwaukee Bucks 106-75.
April 18, 200 - Jose Calderon sports a Jorge Garbajosa #15 sweatband in support of his injured teammate inbounds the ball as the Toronto Raptors lose to the Philadelphia 76ers 122-119 in the final game of the season at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, April 18, 2007.
January 13, 2008 - Jose Calderon holds Chris Bosh after he was fouled in the face in the second half as the Toronto Raptors defeat the Portland Trailblazers in double overtime 116-109.
January 25, 2008 - Jose Calderon took us for a ride in 2008-09 when he sank 151 of 154 free throws. He also sank 87 consecutive free throws, the second most ever in NBA history.
December 27, 2006 - After a steal Jose Calderon completes the play with a lay up as the Toronto Raptors beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 100-97.
November 23, 2008 - Jermaine O'Neal and Jose Calderon go over the play as the Toronto Raptors are punished by the World Champion Boston Celtics 118-103 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.
December 27, 2006 - T.J Ford is congratulated very loudly by a pumped up Jose Calderon after scoring a pivotal basket late in the game as the Toronto Raptors beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 100-97.
November 24, 2009 - Jose Calderon defends against T.J. Ford as the Toronto Raptors play the Indiana Pacers.
April 24, 2007 - Jose Calderon goes to the hoop and gets fouled as the Toronto Raptors even the series at one with the New Jersey Nets after a 89-83 victory in Game Two.
January 27, 2010 - Dorell Wright fouls Jose Calderon along the baseline in the second half as the Toronto Raptors, wearing Toronto Huskies uniforms beat the Miami Heat 111-103.
February 1, 2009 - Jose Calderon drives against Jameer Nelson as the Toronto Raptors play the Orlando Magic at the Air Canada Centre.
April 24, 2007 - Jose Calderon squeeks past Jason Kidd as the Toronto Raptors even the series at one with the New Jersey Nets after a 89-83 victory in Game Two.
January 27, 2010 - Jose Calderon draws a crowd of defenders in first half action as the Toronto Raptors, wearing Toronto Huskies uniforms play the Miami Heat.
The Face.
During a game, Jose's face is a barometer of what is happening in the game.
I would love to play poker against Jose!
November 28, 2005 - Jose Calderon celebrates a Chris Bosh fourth quarter basket, but, the Toronto Raptors lose to the Dallas Mavericks at the buzzer 93-91.
February 24, 2009 - Jose Calderon celebrates Anthony Parker's late three pointer as the Toronto Raptors win their second in a row with a 118-110 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
January 13, 2008 - As time runs out Jose Calderon cheers as the Toronto Raptors defeat the Portland Trailblazers in double overtime 116-109.
October 18, 2009 - Jose Calderon wipes sweat from his face as the Toronto lose to the Boston Celtics 101-82 in preseason NBA action.
November 24, 2009 - Jose Calderon calls an offensive play as the Toronto Raptors beat the Indiana Pacers 115-112.
October 12, 2008 Jose Calderon has his primal yell in mid-season form after inking a three as the Toronto Raptors play the Philadelphia 76ers in preseason.
February 1, 2008 - Jose Calderon reacts to his third foul in the first half as the Toronto Raptors play the franchise's 1000th game versus Los Angeles Clippers.
April 4, 2010 - Jose Calderon chews on his mouthguard as the Toronto Raptors lose to the Golden State Warriors 113-112 at the buzzer .
May 1, 2007 - After going over on his ankle Jose Calderon screams in pain as the Toronto Raptors avoid elimination in Game 5 of their opening series with a 98-96 win against the New Jersey Nets.
Uno, Dos, Tres!
Along with the "Jose, Jose" song fans serenaded him with when his game was on, Calderon gave Toronto fans a new way to celebrate from beyond the arc.
March 15, 2009 - Jose Calderon sinks a three as the Toronto Raptors break a seven game losing streak with a 110-87 win over the Indiana Pacers.
April 18, 2007 - Jose Calderon celebrates a three as the Toronto Raptors lose to the Philadelphia 76ers 122-119 in the final game of the season.
February 1, 2009 Jose Calderon ties his Li-Ning shoes with his three silhouette.
January 13, 2008 - Guard Jose Calderon celebrates a three pointer as the Toronto Raptors defeat the Portland Trailblazers in double overtime 116-109.
January 13, 2008 - Jose Calderon celebrates an overtime three pointer as the Toronto Raptors defeat the Portland Trailblazers in double overtime 116-109.
January 30, 2010 - Although his status is day-to-day, Jose Calderon cheers a teammates trey from the bench in the second half as the Toronto Raptors beat up on the New Jersey Nets 108-99.
The Past Two Seasons
Toronto Raptors point guard Jose Calderon is taken out by former teammate Dallas Mavericks small forward Shawn Marion.
Toronto Raptors point guard Jose Calderon scoops a loose ball away from Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love.
October 29, 2010 Toronto Raptors point guard Jose Calderon (8) ends up in the fans feet in the second half as the Chris Bosh-less Toronto Raptors thump the the LeBron James-less Cleveland Cavaliers 101-81.
Toronto Raptors point guard Jose Calderon is upended in second half action as the Toronto Raptors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 92-77, January 4, 2012.
Toronto Raptors point guard Jose Calderon tells the referee that their still should be time on the clock, 0.3 seconds were added to the first half action as the Toronto Raptors played the Washington Wizards. February 3, 2012.
November 19, 2010, With the team up late in the game Toronto Raptors point guard Jose Calderon (8) gives his teammates some encouragement as the Toronto Raptors win their second game in a row after beating the Houston Rockets 106-96.
Toronto Raptors point guard Jose Calderon celebrates Amir Johnson's key basket as the Toronto Raptors break their 13-game losing streak with a 111-100 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Toronto. February 4, 2011.
The game out of reach DeMar DeRozan and Jose Calderon sit on the bench as the Toronto Raptors lose to the Dallas Mavericks 114-96. February 27, 2011.
The frustration shows on Toronto Raptors point guard Jose Calderon as the Toronto Raptors are beat by the Phoenix Suns 110-92. February 25, 2011.
Bryan Colangelo fist bumps with Toronto Raptors point guard Jose Calderon (8) as the Toronto Raptors hold Media Day to kick off their 18th campaign at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. October 1, 2012.
i'm gonna miss Jose
Posted by: david | 07/13/2010 at 09:21 AM
Great photo series. Unlike some other fans, I'm going to miss Jose for his floor leadership and passion. And also his three-point celebration
Posted by: GSY | 07/13/2010 at 09:37 AM
Thanks for the photos and the memory of Jose... being Jose! GOOD LUCK to Jose in the new team. I am sure when he will receive a standing ovation from the fans and then there will be another photo moments!
GREAT PHOTOS !! GOOD JOB!!
Posted by: Gary | 07/13/2010 at 09:44 AM
Nice piece.
Jose will be missed very much.
Correction: It's Li-Ning not Li-Ling shoes.
Posted by: ANM | 07/13/2010 at 09:55 AM
This isn't complete withour the pic of Jose and Kevin Garnett having words during the whole "finger wagging" incident a few years back. Calderon show he had the biggest heart on the team by far.
Posted by: Anderson Knight | 07/13/2010 at 10:37 AM
That should have said "without" and "showed". Sorry for the typo's.
Posted by: Anderson Knight | 07/13/2010 at 10:41 AM
great pics... looks like jose's isn't getting traded at the moment ...
Posted by: Aditya | 07/13/2010 at 12:36 PM
As Aditya noted, it might be kind of inappropriate to keep this up when his trade got busted, (sure there is a good chance he's still going, but still...)
Posted by: dug | 07/14/2010 at 11:28 PM
Colangelo will come to regret his decision if he trades Calderon. This guy is all heart and should be wearing the "C".
Posted by: Linda | 07/14/2010 at 11:49 PM
I love Jose. Best PG the raps have ever had but he hasn't been right since the hamstring injury in the Olympics. A lot of raps fans sh!t on him for what he's not while overlooking all that he is. He fought his way up from a borderline NBA player to Starter, went from having no shot to a great shot and has the biggest b@lls on a team too full of nice guys. Sure his D is bad but it wouldn't look so bad if any of the other players were even average defenders in their own right.
Numero Ocho para tres! all night baby.
Posted by: Josh | 07/15/2010 at 10:54 PM
what about the photo taken before the 2008 beijing olympics where he slanted his eyes as a racial insult?
Posted by: glenn | 07/21/2010 at 08:00 AM
I'm sad to see Jose go. Hopefully he gets some significant playoff action something he wouldn't get here.
Trade Bargnani.
Posted by: Chuck | 01/30/2013 at 07:52 PM
Holy fuok, Colangelo. You suck so much at being a GM. Calderon was the most beloved Raptor of all time - who's you gonna trade next, the mascot?
Posted by: jon | 01/30/2013 at 08:01 PM
Despedida and Gracias Jose Caledron!!! You will be deeply missed!!! All the best to you in Detroit... Hopefully its only a few months and you re-sign in the summer!!!
The third best PG to wear a Raptors' jersey behind Damon Stoudamire and Alvin Williams.
Posted by: Andrew | 01/30/2013 at 08:08 PM
I am done as a Raptor fan.......this is a travesty!
Posted by: Linda S | 01/30/2013 at 08:08 PM
Jose was the best! I've been so proud to wear a shirt with his name on it to all the games! I just can't believe he's no longer a Raptor - he seemed like the heart and soul of that team!
Posted by: Valerie | 01/31/2013 at 11:58 AM
The best point guard in Raptors' history. Imagine what he would have accomplished with Alvin Williams' Raptors!
I, too, am miffed by this trade. I have lost all faith in Colangelo.
Posted by: larry lukeeborg | 01/31/2013 at 12:09 PM
Jose was the best Raptor PG in a long time. I hate to see him go. All the very best Jose with your new team
Posted by: Anne | 01/31/2013 at 01:38 PM
Jose you are and have been one of the best to wear the uniform.
In some way it doesn't feel right to me that a player of his calibre isn't kept with the organization. Some fans have speculated that he was gone at the end of the season but I don't know about that. It would be interesting to see if an extension could have been in the works. It's not like Lowry is the short term answer.
Best wishes Jose.
Posted by: Hope Caper | 01/31/2013 at 07:55 PM
Jose will definitely be missed for his heart, hard effort and giving his all on every play. Hopefully he can come back next season - we'll miss him and we're definitely weaker now that he is gone.
Posted by: Casey Deplaa | 01/31/2013 at 09:16 PM