From the Bench To His Blog, Sore Loser, Calderon Continues Spain's Whining

Everyday i find a new reason to be happy about beating Spain twice by a combine 48 points. The latest classless rendition of Spain's arrogance comes from a guy who didn't even participate in the Gold Medal game, Jose Calderon. On his blog, he wept about poor officiating, missing players (himself) and 'different' rules leading to Spain's demise. Considering Spain played a much better match with this Idiot on the pine, I'd have to say he's got some nerve.

Here is Calderon's blog entry where he seemed to take the loss like a man:

I imagine that everyone has seen the game and I expect that you all enjoyed it. I think that we played a great game but I was left with a bittersweet taste thinking that we could have won, that we can win. We played head to head against the best players in the world, and they had to play as a team to defeat us.

There were a few moments in the second half that I thought we could take the lead and that the game could be ours. It didn't turn out this way but I think that this impression wasn't only mine; I am convinced that many others shared these feelings.

Now is not the time to discuss the referees, injuries, absences... but yes, I want to reiterate some things in which I believe: Spain is a team; it has a defined style of playing; whoever plays, plays, in the end everyone brings positive aspects, no cycle has come to an end, but rather we are going to be there fighting for the titles for a long time to come.

Thank you all for your support and your confidence.

José Manuel Calderón

It wasn't until on news site El Mundo that he showed his true colors:

"This is not the time to speak of officiating, but I think with the FIBA rules we would have won. That is why we are a little annoyed, because we were right there at the finish line and we have just missed out."

Calderon is claiming that the slight changes in Olympic rules are very similar to the rules of the NBA, giving an advantage to the Americans who were all in the NBA. This is funny, other than the U.S. Spain had the most NBA players on the International roster. Calderon certainly being one of them. How many excuses can you muster up Jose?

So, to what rule changes exactly is Calderon referring? There have been no specific rule changes that came into effect prior to the Olympics per se, however there has been a perceived difference in the way the rules have been interpreted by referees, in the eyes of many observers. These differences mainly centre around travelling violations, charge/block calls, carrying violations and continuation on shooting fouls.

There have however been legislative changes made to the rules by FIBA, that will come into effect at later dates. At FIBA's 25-26 April, 2008 meeting the Board agreed on a series of rule changes which would come into play after the Olympics, ie from 1 October, 2008 and then a greater set of rule changes that would be effective after the 2010 World Championships (post 1 October, 2010).

The October 2008 rule changes are fairly insignificant and mainly involve backcourt violations and unsportsmanlike/technical fouls. The 2010 rule changes is where FIBA really sends their daughter into bed with David Stern.

As of 2010, the three point line will come out to 6.75m to move toward the NBA's line. The key will no longer be a trapezoid, but will become an NBA-styled rectangle. No-charge semi-circles will be marked under the basket. In short, FIBA basketball will become the NBA -- they just need to adjust the zone defence rules to marry up fully.

I will lose my voice booing you Calderon, Feb. 20th this year when you come to the Garden. Let your teammates say that they would have won had you been healthy, don't toot your own horn. You can keep crying and whining but for at least another 4 years, you and your team of classless cry babies, will be nothing but whipping boys to the United States.