Jose Calderon tried to bring Marc Gasol to New York Knicks

In an interview with the New York Daily News, Jose Calderon admitted to trying to lure Marc Gasol to the Knicks. The connection goes back to Spain’s national basketball team, where the Gasol brothers and Calderon were once teammates. Then there’s the connection to Pau Gasol’s former Lakers coach, legend Phil Jackson. Despite Calderon’s best efforts to bring Marc Gasol over to the New York Knicks this offseason, Gasol signed back home in Memphis. Turning down offers for meetings with other teams.

“Not really surprised, I got the feeling he was staying. He’s playing really well with a really good team that’s ready to make the next step. We talked a lot. Nothing I can do. He knows Phil from his brother Pau, but he made a good decision for himself and family.’’ – Jose Calderon

This past July 13, 2015 Gasol reconfirmed his appreciation by resigning with the Grizzlies. Marc Gasol grew up in Memphis, the Grizzlies are a strong playoff contender each year and have great team camaraderie. There wasn’t really a clear-cut reason to leave the squad other than for change alone. Marc Gasol originally signed with the Grizzlies after the Lakers traded his draft rights on February 1, 2008. The only NBA trade in history to trade brother for brother. In this case Marc Gasol for brother Pau Gasol.

Jose Calderon, the Gasols, and Eurobasket 2015

Pau Gasol has been ripping it up on Spain’s national team at Eurobasket 2015! Just check out that dunk.

Marc Gasol decided after a great deal of thought to take a break this summer, contemplating a return to Eurobasket 2016. “I’ve been competing with the national team for 14 years but my responsibility towards the Memphis team is also very important. It hasn’t been easy because it’s not a choice to make every day. I’m not retiring from the national team, it’s just a stop to see how it works.”

Jose Calderon decided similarly to take the summer off to heal up. An achilles strain put Calderon through a tough season on the Knicks. Calderon believes the New York Knicks will bounce back this upcoming season. He looks forward to playing with rookie Porzingis, remarking, “His Spanish is perfect. He’s like a Spanish guy. He’s been in Spain for a while. He speaks like he’s from there.’’

The past season was an anomaly for Jose Calderon, the exception to the rule. Calderon averages 6.7 assists for his career (4.7 on the Knicks this year). He was averaging close to 9 assists back on the Toronto Raptors only mere seasons ago. Calderon mentioned his achilles feels back to normal and he’d to play for the Knicks for a few more years.

Follow me on Twitter: @nirregev
Check out more Memphis Grizzlies articles by me at this link.

All the latest Memphis Grizzlies team news available here.

More from Beale Street Bears

Home/Grizzlies News