T.J. Ford enjoys role as mentor

[greenway84]

This is a little out dated, but I haven't seen a topic about it yet.

Last weekend, TJ Ford played the role of NBA Mentor at the adidas Nations Experience in Dallas, which brings together young players from around the world for some serious hoops.

Yesterday, Mike Wells posted a Pacers Insider item pondering which Pacer(s) would emerge as a team leader after all of the offseason changes. Judging by his comments while in Dallas, TJ is ready and willing to accept that role. Bill Ingram with HoopsWorld caught up with Ford at the event and when talk turned to the Pacers, TJ expressed excitement about playing a big role in turning around the franchise....

Much more here:
http://my.nba.com/forum.jspa?forumID=300017880

Its good to see TJ step up as a leader something we have lacked very much. As much as I like Granger I dont feel he is a leader. But now is this Grangers team or TJs

[bballpacen]

I have a feeling that this will be a joint effort on the behalf of TJ and Granger... I dont think that we have anyone that is a born leader, in the classical sense, that will step up and fully embrace this role... I also have a gut feeling that MDJ will be more vocal than most will assume...

[HicksvsKnicks08]

I think TJ Ford will unquestionably be the vocal team leader

[Wizop]

there can be more than one vocal player as long as they are leading the players in the direction of doing what the coaches want. the problem we had before were we had multiple groups of players leading for their own purposes.

[Gold Chain]

If I am a Pacer fan I am stoked to have Tj on the team.

He took a lot of unwarranted slack in Toronto IMO and I think that with him and Granger and Rasho, they have a shot at a playoff spot.

Before he went down last year in Atlanta, he was playing light out and I am sure that you will see this in the upcoming season.

Big, huge Raps fan right here, but I am hoping for the Pacers to have a solid year and hopefully a berth in the playoffs.