You couldn't be more wrong about TJ. One of the biggest issues with Brooks and Lowry is their poor ability to pass it into the post. TJ is an amazing passer and will feed Yao the ball with ease. The biggest knocks on him are his shooting and his health. Remember, we didn't run all that much with TJ at Texas. We played a lot of half court since he was surrounded by Ivey, Mouton, Thomas, and B Boddicker.
Post entry is not the same as racking up a bunch of assists. What experience does Ford have at passing into the post to a guy who has trouble sealing off his man, is easily fronted, and needs the ball delivered at a very specific spot before he has a chance to catch it? The guy is only 5'10", which means he would likely have to employ the bounce pass, much like Brooks who gets blasted on here for doing the same thing.
I think the main problem with Brooks is that most of the time he's too damn scared to pass it to Yao when he's being fronted. Sure he's short, but Ford can throw it into the post with ease.
TJ ford was a lottery pick and let his team to the final 4. Brooks was a 4 year starter who has been inconsistent in his nba career.
TJ can pass, but he sometimes falls in love with calling his own number. Jarrett Jack doesn't do that, and so coach O'Brien started using Jack more often later in the year, particularly in 4th quarters. Jack isn't as quick, isn't as good a ball-handler, is more inconsistent against pressure, but seems more willing to make the necessary pass and to make the right decision. Jack is a restricted free agent and the Pacers need to cut costs. I think O'Brien's preference would be to trade TJ, sign Jack, and draft a PG tonight. So look to see if that happens tonight with Jennings, Lawson, or (hopefully sliding) Holliday. if it does, a trade of TJ for Landry would seem to ideally fir the Pacer's needs.
Loved him coming out of UT but he is too oft injured, I'm pretty sure someone's already brought that point up a million times.
