HIP, HIP JOSE
Calderon pointing the way for Knicks
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Jose Calderon inherited one of the easiest jobs in the New York (erasing the memory of Raymond Felton) as well as one of the toughest (resurrecting the career of Andrea Bargnani).
Calderon became an instant fan favorite based solely on the player he replaced and if he can somehow help his old Toronto Raptors teammate, Bargnani, become a productive player again Calderon could reach cult hero status at Madison Square Garden.
“Well, I want to be better,” Calderon said of replacing Felton. “I don’t know if it’s going to be because of me. I’m going to try to do my
best for this team to do the best we can do, go as far as we can go. It’s not only one thing. I think we are a team, too many things to say only one position, one weakness. Last year, I don’t know how many wins they had — 30-something — don’t think it’s only one guy.”
One guy, Felton, became the primary scapegoat in a season gone terribly wrong last year for the Knicks while Bargnani was just, well, terrible. And injured. The big Italian appeared in just 42 games last season and over the past three years has played in only 108 of a possible 230 games. In fact, Bargnani was held out of Saturday’s second preseason game against the Boston Celtics — a 9680 Knicks win — with a mild hamstring injury.
Coach Derek Fisher stressed that Bargnani was a DNP simply for precautionary reasons. But considering Bargnani’s recent history, there is no such thing as a minor injury.
“We’re excited about Andrea as far as his overall health,” Fisher said.
Calderon spent seven seasons with Bargnani in Toronto and saw the 7-footer struggle to cope with the pressure of being a top overall pick. He’s also seen Bargnani at his best; four seasons ago Bargnani averaged a career best 21.4 points.
Similarly, the Knicks had high expectations for Bargnani last season. After acquiring him in the summer of 2013 for a first-round pick and two second-rounders, the Knicks believed that Bargnani’s skill set would complement Carmelo Anthony.
Instead, Bargnani failed to make much of an impact. He averaged 13.3 points and shot 28 percent on three’s, a career low. Bargnani’s season ended in January when he landed awkwardly on a drive to the basket and injured his elbow.
His summer, however, has been encouraging starting with the trade that sent Felton to Dallas for Calderon. “Oh yeah, he was one of the first ones to text, ‘hey amigo’, happy for you to be here again with me,” Calderon said. “He’s a good friend.”
Bargnani can be aloof and at times his demeanor places him in position where his passion is questioned. Calderon, however, views his friend as a skilled player whose career has been undermined by injury.
“He’s a talented guy who knows how to play basketball,” Calderon added. “The thing about the (triangle offense) is we’re going to find the right spots for him, where he feels more comfortable to be able to play the best basketball hopefully of his career.”
STARS OF NIGHT: Anthony scored 16 points and Calderon added nine as Fisher won his first preseason game.