You do realize that with Bosh out, TJ is the only guy on the team who can score without using a 3 pointer to do it?Thats not entirely true, I mean Anthony Parker would have something to say about that comment, but I know what you mean. My point is, he doesnt know when to fire away and when to create open shots for his teammates, which he could do with a simple drive and kick, the way Tony Parker and Devin Harris do it. Thats what TJ's problem is, he doesnt have an off switch once he makes a couple of shots, and even when he isnt making the shots...Last night against Utah was more of the same, and he got into another one on one battle with Ronnie Price, who got inside his head and forced him to go headfirst into the lane and jack up terrible shots, not to mention overplay Price defensively, and the ejection was a result of that. Sam Mitchell is pampering TJ too much, and its got to stop. I know Jose is playing like crap right now (he was much improved last night), but Jose will never actively cost you a game, the way TJ does. TJ is our Nate Robinson, plays hard but not smart, which was why Milwaukee were happy to see him go...
I'm out
My point is, he doesnt know when to fire away and when to create open shots for his teammates, which he could do with a simple drive and kick, the way Tony Parker and Devin Harris do it.He's a lot better at that when Bosh is out there
TJ Ford maybe a talented player, but he's not a team player. He is publicly saying he doesn't like coming off the bench. Newflash TJ that's what happens when your the second best at your position on the team (only by default because they only have two pg). He has a low assist to turnover ratio and an even lower shooting percentage, as were Jose ranks top ten in pg's in both. I can see a coach standing behind his players publicly, thats admirable, but don't let it affect smart coaching decisions. Quit playing him more than the appropriate rest time needed for Jose and thats it. If Sam can't coach this talented team to a better than .500 record than he should be fired and maybe he can pack up his brash attitude, his coach of the year award and TJ Ford into a duffle bag and take it somewhere else. Until that day enjoy .500 ball and 7 or less playoff games Raptors fans because that's all we're going to get.
This thread seems a little harsh on TJ to me. I understand what everyone is saying, but don't forget that Ford has missed a lot of time. When a player misses that much time, the first thing to come back is the shooting touch, the second is the rapport with one's teammates. That being said, it does seem like Ford should be rounding into form by now. I do absolutely agree that Colangelo has some serious assessment to do this summer. If TJ doesn't look like he can get his form back OR if there is reason to think he will continue to be injury prone, then his greatest value is as trade bait. I would love to see the old TJ back, though.
I do not see TJ as the problem. The problem is no big man to give Bosh some help. We saw when Bosh was down, that the only way they could play succesfully was small ball. Now if we have to throw TJ into a package to get a starting wide body who can rebound and play tough D then fine. I still seem him as the 4th best player on the team.
The majority of you are definitely being way to harsh on TJ. I can guarantee prior to the most recent TJ injury, you were singing his praises as he was leading our team playinginspired basketball. i will admit, he has taken some time getting back into form and making some bad decisions but clearly he is a solid point guard. Since being back in the starting lineup, he has been playing much better and I think its important to realize that Chris Bosh prefers having TJ run the point then Jose.
Brings me to my next point regarding Jose. He has emerged as an absolute stud in the absence of TJ. Although I have a few problems of his ability to play defense against some of the quicker PG's in the league, it is clear he would be a starting point guard on at least 10 other teams. That being said, he is still young and learning and should not be handed the reigns just yet.
In my opinion, we hold off, resign Jose in the off season and let TJ build back up his trade value. Right now he is playing good basketball and we need to try and shed the injury plague reputation he has. The Raptors were playing good basketball with both of them healthy and TJ is probably 95% back to his old self. With that extra 5% and a decent run at the end of the season, the Raps should make a good run in the playoffs (Past the first round anyways).
Ford goes back to the starting lineup, they beat Detroit. Coincidence? I think not.
Pretty quick to say something like that after one game. The team is 3-4 since he got his starting job back with wins against Detroit Charlotte and New York, and losses to Atlanta and the aforementioned Charlotte Bobcats. The Raptors are much better off with Jose starting. It's a fact.
