Dallas Mavericks: Don't Sweat Jose Calderon's Role at Eurobasket 2013

Tim Fuller – USA Today Sports Images

Many people have questioned the Jose Calderon signing by the Dallas Mavericks this summer, not because they are questioning Calderon’s ability, but because of the fact that his contract spreads over the next four seasons, a longer deal than most teams would have been willing to give the 31-year-old point guard.

However, Calderon will be a solid addition to the Mavs in the 2013-2014 NBA season. Playing with newly signed Monta Ellis and the ever-talented Dirk Nowitzki, Calderon will be able to take on his role as a facilitator that he has shown he does so well over his career while also converting scoring opportunities at an efficient rate.

While Calderon is taking the floor for Spain at Eurobasket 2013, though, it’s strange to see the role that he’s taking on as it’s not what most people are accustomed to seeing from him. While he takes the floor with other facilitators like Ricky Rubio, we’ve seen Calderon become more of a scoring threat than a guy who racks up assists.

Through three games at the tournament, Calderon is averaging only just 2.7 assists per game, far lower than his average of 7.1 per game in the 2012-2013 NBA season, even if it is in seven minutes fewer per game. Despite less playing time, though, Calderon is taking just one shot fewer per game at Eurobasket than he did in the NBA season and is averaging more three-point attempts at the tournament than he did last year in the NBA.

Ultimately, the Mavs and their fans shouldn’t read much into Calderon becoming more of a scorer for Spain at Eurobasket. That’s simply the role he needs to play with the roster that he’s on. When he takes the floor for Dallas, they will need him to be a facilitator, which he has shown he can effectively be.

Cody Williams is a Senior Writer with Rant Sports. Follow Cody on Twitter @TheSizzle20, add him on Google and like his Facebook page.