They are not simply overrating him. Aaron Brooks has done amazing things in College/University, and his speed is incomparable to anybody else in the league. Give him some experience and he could probably be the next Allen Iverson, not necessarily attitude-wise, but talent-wise.
TJ Ford's value should be at it's all time low right now though. Bad shooter with serious injury problems with a high contract. I would bet most teams would only throw junk back at Toronto for him. They're gonna be in a quandry if some team signs Calderon to an offer sheet of .....say 5 years/$40 mill. And I think we can get a better fit such as Mike Miller with our expirings. The only way I would want T.J. is if we could move Rafer somewhere and hand T.J. the job with Brooks as his backup. T.J. and Rafer is to repetitive. And that would have to be a 3-way deal because they ain't putting Rafer and Sam Mitchell back together. If we trade BJax and expirings for T.J. without moving Rafer, we've got essentially over $13 million tied up at the point guard position and the guy not getting any minutes would be the best shooter of the three guards. That doesn't make sense. Of course, if we could get Mike Miller for BJax and whatever and we could put together a deal for T.J. involving Rafer but leaving out 111 and Battier/Scola/Landry/Brooks then I'd be all for it. I don't think Mo Williams is a signficant upgrade over Rafer either. I'd rather have Rafer at his salary and contract than Mo Williams.
We need a 3 point shooter at the PG spot so we have good spacing on the floor. A startling lineup with one reliable 3 point shooter isn't going to look pretty. He would be an ideal 6th man though. All this team needs is a 3rd star or a reliable 3rd scoring option. That role is currently occupied by Rafer, which isn't ideal to say the least.
Wow. I've watched Brooks very closely all four years at UO and he has a shot to do well in the league but saying he could probably be the next Allen Iverson? Come on man, AI is like the top 5 combo-guards all time.
Sorry about that, I wasn't thinking. Looking back at that, they are neither the same talent-wise nor personality-wise. What I meant to say on my previous post is that Allen Iverson and Aaron Brooks are in the same class(short, lean, quick), and giving Brooks time in the league will probably make him at least a quarter of Iverson.
We really need a PG that can setup plays, T-Mac is by far away the best at this on our team and he's our shooting guard . Mike Miller would be great, Calderon would be better... T.J. Ford is a better version of Rafer imo, we don't need him.
Someone mentioned Ford having attitude problems. To me, not so much. Ford's getting slapped for speaking out. Who knows? It might get him the trade he wants anyway. Ford is basically screwed as far as public perception. Best for him just to lay low and speak quietly, if at all, about his role on the Raptors. Calderon stated in the press how he's okay with coming off the bench, what's good for the team, blah blah. Then Garbajosa backs him up, talking about team-first, "we" have to think of the team, never referring to Ford by name---but the European "we" over the American (or, at least, Ford's) "I" was clear enough. And I don't believe Calderon when he plays the good guy. He's the better point guard. He knows he's about to be paid, and that the Raptors will work overtime to move Ford to another team----that the starting job is his own anyway. If you're as good as Calderon, you'd better WANT to start.
I have been thinking about how to respond to this question for a while.....I loved TJ at UTex, but as a pro, he has been an average to great player. I like a lot about him, and he is an upgrade over Rafer.....but TJ is not a shooter, he is like a mini Jason Kidd.... So, in the Adelman offense, is it more valuable to set the table or be able to finish? That is the question, because if it is back cuts and finishing abilities, that are important, maybe he is better than Rafer.....I don't know. Toss up to me. DD
He is a injury prone and also, he doesnt help yao. He is a penetrator and not a shooter. Calderon is the best fit for our team.
Ford is simply too injury prone for this team. If a package of Jackson+Brooks can get Calderon, maybe.
Maybe? Man I love Brooks but Caleron in a heartbeat....move Rafer to the backup.......wow.... And I like that Sergio kid riding the pine in Portland too. DD
The Rockets wouldnt give up Brooks and change for Artest. Why would they do it for TJ Ford. He suffered a second serious neck injury, and is not a good shooter which if vital for the PG position with Yao and Tmac. Just look how good this team looks when Rafer hits his three and how bad we look when he doesnt. The biggest knock on Brooks is his size and TJ isnt much bigger. Would you even want this trade if Ford didnt have Houston roots. Same goes for all the people who want Gerald Green. If he grew up in LA, I doubt anyone would care if he was a rocket or not.
Rafer's value could be at an all-time high. He was the most important player during the 22 game streak but he's on the wrong side of 30 and his improved play probably only adds up for a quarter of the season. Those patches of 0-fer games are still there and IMO was the reason why the streak ended not because of Landry's absence. The Rockets have been dependant on him but still can't really count on him. If Philly would take Alston+Jackson+Brooks/pick for Miller... That I'd say in a heartbeat.
TJ could have a decent career ahead of him bar injury. I'd only be willing to give up Jackson and Head for him though.
Brooks is nowhere close to ford no way no how. Ford avereaged 6 points 6 assists 1 steal as a rookie in 26 mins a night. He has better hops, better speed and is taller than AB. Plus he has SHOWN he can do it in the NBA while Brooks only has potential, with this group why not take the sure thing? Secondly Hayes and Brooks doesn't even come close to giving you the salary you would need. Ford makes 8 million per year. You would have to give them Bobby Jacksons expiring contract, probably some cash to buy it out. Brooks and the draft pick. And yes i would do that trade. It would hurt to lose Jackson because he is such a great 6th man. But Ford would make up for it easy.
I'd say Brooks is at least as quick as Ford, if not quicker. Brooks is also a better shooter. They are the same height. As far as Ford's rookie stats, you have to consider the team he played for compared to the team Brooks is playing for. The Bucks sucked while the Rockets finished last season with the 5th best record in the league. The only valid point here is that Ford has proven his game at this level while Brooks is only potential.
... You know, I kinda like this idea. Ford would be a nice pickup. Only problem is that he can't make an open long range jumper to save his life, and that could be a problem playing alongside Yao and Mac.
