Since this is a TJ Ford thread: Create his own shot: Check <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BIhDAjqHRwA&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BIhDAjqHRwA&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object> Clutch: Check <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9v_ZpZJxJ1Y&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9v_ZpZJxJ1Y&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object> Mad in Utah: CHECK <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/D2F1YyaPvy4&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/D2F1YyaPvy4&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
You can see a team by team breakdown here: Link Not that pretty against the best of the West: Utah -- 10 pts, 5 asts, 31% FG%, 23 mpg (2 games) New Orleans -- 10 pts, 6 asts, 50% FG%, 26 mpg, (1 game) San Antonio -- 2 pts, 1 ast, 9 mpg (1 game -- hurt?) On the bright side, he put up 26 against the Lakers in 1 game, and was successful against the Warriors twice: 23-8 in one game (30 mins), and 29-9 in the other game (33 mins)
TJ Ford is really good point guard but question how upgrade he is over Rafer Alston? It would be sweet to see him in high motion offense.
Ford has speed and penetration, but I don't think he is the one that could bring us over the top... He is definitely NOT miles better than Rafer either... Rafer is better at defense and controling the temple. While Ford is better in scoring. They both are relatively small guards, but Ford seemed even smaller than Rafer.. I'll pass...
I'd be thrilled if the Rockets could land T.J. Ford. He's very good at scoring and getting the ball to his teammates. He'd be a fantastic third scoring option, a great guy to have when Yao or T-Mac gets injured, and I'd give up Brooks for him in a heartbeat. The fact that the Rockets would be somewhat protected if he got hurt is key. But I think the Rockets need to hold on to Alston. They win with Alston, he fits well in the system, and Ford is an injury risk. I think the Rockets would improve the team significantly this summer if they landed Ford without giving up any of their nucleus or key backups. But the story doesn't say the Rockets are interested in him; it only surmises that they might be.
I don't agree at all. Yes, TJ Ford gets into the paint very well so that's big plus, but sorry, this guy can't shoot which is VERY important in Rick's system. Again, Rafer is NOT the right pg for Houston. He has played here for a while and so far (last season) he has been the worst player in the starting layup. We upgraded at pf and now we gotta do the same with pg. Rafer is not the right material for a starting pg, especially for us. First of all, we need a guy who can become a REAL playmaker. Very important thing is shooting too. But he also needs to make the other team's pg work on defense, especially if it is Williams, Parker, Paul, etc..
I'm a huge TJ Ford fan, having followed him since he was being recruited from Willowridge by Coach Barnes. He was dominant at Texas and led us to the Final Four back in 2003. But he's probably going to have to retire soon with his back issues. He's looked downright awful sometimes in the NBA, and his inconsistent shooting has been a problem. He's just under 6 feet, and maybe 180 lbs. So he's going to have a lot of trouble with the bigger PGs in the West like Baron Davis and Deron Williams. He'd be a bad fit here in Houston with his lack of consistent jumper.
NIKEstrad, is it possible to get the same stats for Hinrich, who's being talked about as the most likely alternative? (At least in this thread!)
We must understand that our stars are half court players. Neither Yao nor Tmac runs the floor to use Ford's talents.
This team cannot endure another "fragile" player, especially one that is a streaky , inconsistent shooter. If you have problems, why would you want more of the same problems? Solutions, people, solutions!
Actually Yao will run the floor. T-Mac's the guy who walks it up. No matter what else Ford converts at a much better percentage than Alston and he can penetrate.
I think you saw the results of not having Rafer on the court during the playoffs, right. As hard as it is for it to come out of my mouth, Rafer was indespensible for the Rockets. The games weren't even close until Rafer started playing. Bobby Jackson, while a good player, is a shooter first and passer second. Aaron Brooks will end up being a good point guard for his speed alone, but at this point the Rockets need a more seasoned point guard that can supplement Rafer and hopefully take his starting spot.
I think the Utah series mostly demonstrated the importance of the PG spot on the roster rather than the individual worth of Rafer Alston. Ford's not a bad upgrade I think. He can't shoot the three, true, but he doesn't shoot it that often.
can't agree more. (you seem to be the poster that i agree with the most times here.) ford is a nice player. there was a reason he was a high lottery pick. but to take him at this stage is a high-risk move, almost as much as an artest acquisition. his injury issue is really troublesome. would be somewhat a gamble. but maybe at this point of a yao-and-mcgrady-led rockets team, maybe gambling is the right move?
All this article is saying is that we could be in the mix for a PG...any PG. And like Clutch said, the only way I really see us bringing in someone like Ford is if we include Brooks in a package deal for someone. If Ford is who we end up getting as a back-up PG, along with a Maggette, Miller, Artest-type player, then I am absolutely all for it. If Ford is who we end up with as our starting PG, and that's it....then I'm incredibly against it.
I'm pretty 50/50 on this topic... It's interesting that we consider ANOTHER undersized point guard that can't consistently shoot the ball as our savior at the PG position. His injuries are such a big issue too... we can't afford another injury prone player... BUT, I like TJ Ford as a player. I think it would be great for us to have the hometown kid as our point guard (I'm sure this is his dream...). Maybe he'll be more happy playing in Houston and it'll have a positive effect on his play. (Orrrr.. maybe he'll enjoy his mom's home cooking and the company of his old high school buddies too much and his game will go in a downward spiral...)
brooks is the same player, but brooks has the potential to be a better shooter... and doesn't seem to be as fragile. say no to tj ford.
Agreed, I just meant when Rafer went down at the end of the season, it was obvious that BJ and AB were not adequate to fill the PG spot. It's not vindication of Rafer at all, he's a good even great backup, but I still hold to the belief that the Rockets will not see a champoinship with Rafer as a the starting point guard. I would prefer keeping Rafer as a backup and getting Kirk as the starter. TJ is good, but he's a shoot first point like BJ. We need another table setter that can shoot decent percentages.
