5 Cavs who have surpassed expectations this season

Jose Calderon

The top five point guards in the NBA? Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose and Jose.

Seriously though, Jose Calderon has been tremendous since being inserted in the starting lineup. He’s averaging just 4.7 points, 2.2 assists and 0.7 steals in 17.7 minutes per game but per 36 minutes he’s averaging 9.6 points, 4.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

He’s shooting 51.3 percent from the field, 50.0 percent from three-point range (3.9 attempts per game) and 90.9 percent from the free-throw line. Amazingly, his field goal and free-throw percentages are only the third-highest of his career. However, his three-point percentage is a career-high.

He hasn’t been as productive as he has been throughout his career if you look at the volume of the numbers in his box score but he’s been a steady for the starting unit who gets players into position, moves the ball and finds teammates, knocks down open shots and doesn’t turn the ball over (0.7 turnovers per game).

Like Green, Calderon has gotten a bad rap despite being a steady force in the league between 2007-2008 and 2015-2016. In that time, Calderon averaged 10.5 points, 6.8 assists and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 47.3 percent from the field, 42.0 percent from three-point range and 88.9 percent from the free-throw line.

Like Wade, Calderon has also impressed on the defensive end although he’s more prone to allowing perimeter penetration. Thanks to a decline in his already average athleticism, Calderon’s defense took a hit. However, Calderon’s improvement has been more impressive.

After allowing pick-and-roll ball-handlers to shoot 51.9 percent in 2016-2017, Calderon is holding them to 42.4 percent shooting from the field this season.