Question From A Non-Texan...How Good Will Ford Be?

He's a special player Macbeth.

He is a winner and a gym rat, and is a lot like Jason Kidd in the way he runs the point guard spot and his jumpshot.

 

Well I went to Texas and here are Ford's biggest problems....

1. lack of height/size

2. no outside game

So you were right on with those criticisms, but I think he has the ability to make up with his lack of size with the zone defense now. Ford is incredibly fast...I mean like it is amazing how quick this guy is...I don't think I can find words for it. He is like Tony Parker speed, so that lets you know the second he comes into the NBA he will be one of quickest players in the league. I'm trying not to compare him to Iverson since that's who is compared to most so you can get a different perspective. Anyhow, it is his speed and ability to play the passing lanes that is going to allow him to make up for his lack of size on defense. His quick hands will also allow him to get steals on guys who are trying to take him one on one. Also, they won't be able to get around him because he is so quick.

His by far biggest deficiency is his outside shot. If opposing COLLEGE teams were willing to leave him wide open then NBA teams are really gonna disrespect him on his shot and play off of him. If he wants to be anything in NBA he is going to have to develop an outside shot. In this respect I compare him to the development of Tony Parker. He was terrible his 1st year from the field, but this year he has started to add an outside game.

His biggest pluses are his speed and his court vision. I talked about his amazing speed earlier, but it is his court vision that makes the Tony Parker comparison tougher to make. In this respect Ford can be a "true" point guard in the NBA. He can use his speed to penetrate and dish. He has an amazing feel for the game and knows the right decisions to make. Maybe his best comparison in this aspect of his game is Tinsley.

So I guess in summation I'd have to say right now TJ Ford is a Tinsley with Tony Parker speed. Some people compare him to Iverson and because of his speed and size, but I think that is completely off base because Iverson is just in a completely different league with his ability to score. I think Ford is also going to struggle some when he first comes into the league since he isn't an amazing scorer and has no jumper. However, he has the intangibles to be a top player in the league, but he NEEDS a jumper!

One more thing is this x-factor of his spinal stenosis (sp?). I am going guess that it was probably the main reason why he declared early after he had said he would stay. I am pretty sure that stinger scared the hell out of him, as it would anyone. However you've gotta wonder if this will be an issue in the NBA since he is small and his offensive game is based on driving to the basket and he is liable to get knocked around. Just wanted to throw that out there too.

 

He may have trouble... Guys like Calvin Murphy and Michael Adams survived in the NBA because they could score like crazy. TJ would be one of the rare 5 ft 10 true PGs who make it, if TJ does succeed.

 

Anyone remember Kevin Porter?

 

Living in Austin, I've gotten to be very pro-TJ. But I have a concern.

Mateen Cleaves had a lot of the same attributes in college as TJ. What would keep TJ from becoming another Mateen?

 

TJ is much quicker, but also much weaker/smaller.

God Shammgod also comes to mind.

 

Kid,

Your pick with the metropolitans in the draft league btw.

Check the draft thread, and here's the website

http://members.lycos.co.uk/davidv2001/index.html

Enjoy.

 

I'm not sold on Ford as a high lotto. I believe he will be good, successful, a long term starter who will up his game over the years.

I look at JWill and see star written all over him -- and 1st year bust. Will he bounce back? Very possibly.

I see Starbury who finally seems to 'get it'. Finally.

TJ needs the right situation + time and he'll be fine. Rox are not the right situ for him, IMO.

 

he sucks, I go to UT , cant shoot, damn good PG though, ok so maybe he doesnt suck, but he's not gonna dominate

 

Macbeth:

the best nba comparison (and it's a damn good one, btw) is:


tj ford = tony parker


their games are almost identical, except that tj ford has court vision that is at an nba elite level.

 

IMHO...I think Parker and TJ are only comparable because of their speed. TJ is better on defense despite the lack of size, his court vision is amazing, he plays much smarter, and he is clutch, but his shot is not as good as Parker's. Granted Parker's shot wasn't good when he came in but it is better now.

 

I think Ford is a better player than Parker (no it's not UT bias here) but it's just Ford sees the court better and has better ball management....but i think i'm slighting Parker because of his bad decisions with the ball lately in the playoffs.

TJ IMO will hopefully turn out to be a Bobby Jackson type of player. Which isn't bad but isn't worth a lotto pick. I think if he develops more of a shot consistency he can be like a Bibby...BUT NO WHERE NEAR A KIDD

 

I've heard that comparison but Anderson has a better j. I'd say more athletic Tony Parker. I go to UT btw.