Just caught the second half of the Bucks/Pacers and TJ's first game, and I can honestly say that this guy is looking like he was no fluke. He is already the fastest player in the NBA, or so it seems. He is blowing by the Pacers, just lightning quick. He is still learning the game and making some mistakes, but he looks like he is going to be a real good one. It remains to be seen whether he is going to be able to maintain this pace (hes almost gone for a triple double tonight) as teams start to back off him and dare him to shoot the jumper, like they did to jamaal tinsley last year. If he does, he could be the next Kevin Johnson. If not, he might be the next Brevin Knight, but he's looking more like the former than the latter at this point.
I hope he does well. I think his shot right now is better than Tinsley's. Tinsley shoots horrrribly. Also TJ just has more athleticism and a feel for the game than Knight. I'm not saying he will or won't be an elite PG, but I think it's very likely.
I caught the highlights on Sports Center and he looked unbelievable. I was surprised he only had 11 points after seeing those highlights. He looked unstoppable. He put together a damn fine stat line though. Very nice and well rounded.
yeah he deferred to his teammates a lot, almost too much. Some plays he would just drop it off to Tim Thomas or Michael Redd and let them work. But they won big so you can't complain. Anyway, even his own teammates seemed to be playing at a different speed than him, there were a few playes where he could have had assists but his own guys were surprised when the ball came their way.
The Kid is doing alright. But I still think don't think he is the type of player you want to have on a championship contending team.
? He's a rookie. Of course you don't. What exactly is the type of PG you'd want? Tony Parker? Derrick Fisher? Sam Cassell or Kenny Smith? Paxson or Armstrong? Unless some team was going to post a huge guard on him the whole time, there is nothing but good from having TJ on your team. He makes everyone else better.
You are right to assume that I didn't see the game: however, I did watch him in college. I have always said he will do okay in the NBA but will never be a difference maker. The reason why I dislike his game is because he isn't a pure shooter, isn't the best at distributing the ball, and isn't tall enough. His talent does however revolve around his quickness. In the NBA Ford's quickness won't be as much of a factor. There are plenty of fast guys who are not even starting point guards in the NBA. Beside that point, I tend to like PG with size, around 6 ft 4. The reason is because the point guards duty is to be the floor general; meaning have great vision. Aside from the cognitive game, the taller the player the better the vision generally. Therefore, at 5 ft 11, Ford's height, he is always going to be at a disadvantage. There is no argument for that. Now the question is, will his cognitive game and quickness prevail over his short comings. That remains to be seen.
T.J is a pure point guard and very dangerous on the break and don't let his size fool you he's got tons of athleticism. He's what every coach wants a point guard who actually plays that position.
So, what you're saying is he isn't the type of player you want to have on a championship contending team. Allen Iverson is on the wrong side of 6'0, and he's done alright. Court vision has little to nothing to do with height. Some players have it. Some don't. Some try to learn it(Jalen Rose and other 6'6-6'10 Magic wannabes), and most of them fail. TJ Ford has fantastic court vision, which allowed him to be player of the year despite the lack of scoring. He has an astounding ability to find open/potentially open teammates and has a knack for winning, and there simply is no argument for that.
The thing you aren't realizing is he is a difference maker. I don't see why a PG needs to be a pure shooter. He can shoot okay and will get better. He has the work ethic to do so and has been. The distributing the ball point is hilarious. I'm not even commentingon that. He's one of the fastest players and will blow by people just like AI does. He has another gear. Not only does he have great court vision, handles, and passing, but he's a leader with a strong work ethic. The only point you have is his height. I agree. When he's facing tall guards and they post him up, it will be a problem. Did that happen alot with Isiah Thomas, Hardaway, etc? I'm not saying he'll be a superstar, but a top 10 PG is a very real possibility.
Who the hell is going to play point for Texas this year - that's all I want to know. I see they're ranked pre-season 11th - pretty darn high having lost the guy everyone thought was their whole team. This dude from Baylor is apparently playing pretty good for them (orange-white game Halloween night). I thought Ford was a sure thing coming out - meaning a sure thing contributor or starter for many years - but not a star. I still think that. I didn't understand why Toronto didn't take him at #4.
Ivey is a capable PG. He can get the job done just fine. I haven't seen much of Paulino or Moreno. What I saw of Paulino was very unimpressive. I guess Toronto has faith in Alvin Williams. Plus Bosh has the potential to be a superstar (not saying TJ does not).
