Upon TJs Return...

[Shell Shock]

I'm anxious to see whether T.J's style changes -- even if he is physically back to 100% will he mentally want to play a bit more in control? Or will he continue to play at 110 mph?

It seems to me his greatest strength -- speed and fearlessness -- is also his greatest weakness (sometimes plays too frenetically and out-of- control).

If he does slow things down, will this make him better or worse? It'll be interesting.

[Rapcity_11]

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Having a hard time lately against those TJ haters??? .

Nevermind, you are doing a great job defending your hero but you don't need to, he will come back strong and will prove them wrong, Jose is the one who will have to be traded eventually (I hope so).

TJ isn't my hero and I dont want Jose to be traded unless we get something huge in return.

[HighOctane]

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TJ isn't my hero and I dont want Jose to be traded unless we get something huge in return.

People tend to put 'heroes' in their avatars.

Yours is TJ, mine is Keibler

[ruckus]

Why do we have to trade either one of them? Wasn't everyone lamenting the fact just a week or so ago that we were sorely missing our 48 minutes of solid PG play? And, it's not like our salary structure isn't flexible enough to keep both players and still add key pieces.

It's a non-issue concerning whoever starts.

When TJ comes back, he'll be coming off the bench then, they'll probably transition him back to the starter's role. If Smitch feels that Jose is the better starter for the time being then, I'm sure his relationship with both PGs is good enough that he can communicate that to both of them.

I don't understand why some people view TJ as a petulant child that has to have his way and Jose as this mature, responsible individual. They are both professionals. Nothing from either of them suggests that they would cause a problem if they were asked to adjust their roles on the team.

I think the so-called fans of this team deserve TJ not to come back and for Jose to leave through free agency. Poetic justice FTW.

[obsrvr]

It is interesting that so many people keep making reference to TJ's so called reckless play to site why he should not be relied upon to be the teams lead guard, but you should recall that TJ did not get injured once on any of his so called reckless drives.

In the most recent incident it was on a pretty routine lay-up where TJ was clobbered by an over zealous Horford, maybe I'm wrong but I didn't see anything reckless on Ford's part in that play.

Now is Ford a greater risk due to existing health concerns, yes. If you make that case there is little that can be argued against you, but your reckless play argument is weak at best.

[Reignman]

If TJ gets back to pre-injury form, he is the starter without a shadow of a doubt, although he may come off the bench initially.

Look at it this way, in the playoffs defences tighten up. With the way we have been playing lately, we'd be toast in the 1st round because there is no one in our starting lineup, other than Bosh, that can drive to the basket or draw fouls. This is where TJ is most valuable, because he will be able to take some pressure off CB4 by driving and also giving our shooter's some clean looks off the kick. Also, our pace has dropped substantially this year, partly because Jose doesn't like to force the issue, this hinders us from getting many easy baskets which will be needed in the playoffs. Even though TJ may not be a run and gun point guard, he doesn't let an opportunity pass to get an easy basket, this is part of the reason his turnovers are higher than Jose's. His game is more suited to creating seperation as he loves to attack the defence.

When you look at our bench, Carlos has some driving ability, so Jose can continue to play behind the arc. Also, with Jose's shooting stroke, he would be our instant offence off the bench. His game is more suited to maintaining leads.

Aside from all this, the main reason we need TJ to start in the playoffs is for defensive purposes. He is able to keep his man in front of him, which will prevent our defence from having to provide constant help and play on their heels. He is also pretty good at playing the passing lanes.

Last but not least, the playoffs are all about intensity, and who's the most intense player on this team? TJ Ford.

[Reignman]

double post

[The_Hater]

Aside from all this, the main reason we need TJ to start in the playoffs is for defensive purposes. He is able to keep his man in front of him, which will prevent our defence from having to provide constant help and play on their heels. He is also pretty good at playing the passing lanes.

Not to get into a debate about all of these issues, but TJ has been absolutely abused defensively in his previous 2 trips to the playoffs. JKidd last year and Billups the previous year.

You're correct that TJ is better than Jose at keeping his man in front of him therefore better against quick PG's but his height and small stature still make him a defensive liability in matchups with bigger PG's both in the post and when they shoot over him from the perimeter. And when he gets caught in switches with bigger players.

Just because Jose is a weak defender people need to stop making TJ out to be a stopper of some sort when that has never been the case. At the end of the day, they're both defensive liabilities more times than not.

[barrist]

Jose will continue to start. TJ will say he doesn't want to upset the chemistry, happy to come off the bench for the time being. Not that complicated.

[Shaazzam]

Good point Hater.

And we also need to look at how guys matchup against our PG's, some are better than others for each guy. Jose matches up better than TJ on Kidd, but they both are big liabilities against Chauncey.

I just think TJ can make Chauncey work much harder on defence than Jose can.

[Reignman]

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Not to get into a debate about all of these issues, but TJ has been absolutely abused defensively in his previous 2 trips to the playoffs. JKidd last year and Billups the previous year.

You're correct that TJ is better than Jose at keeping his man in front of him therefore better against quick PG's but his height and small stature still make him a defensive liability in matchups with bigger PG's both in the post and when they shoot over him from the perimeter. And when he gets caught in switches with bigger players.

Just because Jose is a weak defender people need to stop making TJ out to be a stopper of some sort when that has never been the case. At the end of the day, they're both defensive liabilities more times than not.

I agree with you Hater, these guys have given TJ a hard time, but there isn't another point guard in the East that can do what these guys do. Kidd seems to be declining, but after what he did to us in the last playoffs, I wouldn't take him lightly.

However, other than these 2 and possibly Deron and Baron in the West, which other point guard in the L can bully / post up TJ Ford? None.
I don't want to make it seem like TJ is some kind of defensive stopper, but I would take him over Jose 9/10 times for defensive purposes.

[The_Hater]

I agree with you Hater, these guys have given TJ a hard time, but there isn't another point guard in the East that can do what these guys do. Kidd seems to be declining, but after what he did to us in the last playoffs, I wouldn't take him lightly.

However, other than these 2 and possibly Deron and Baron in the West, which other point guard in the L can bully / post up TJ Ford? None.
I don't want to make it seem like TJ is some kind of defensive stopper, but I would take him over Jose 9/10 times for defensive purposes.

We're not that far apart in our opinions here. Like I said, TJ is better against the quicker guys but he's still below average over all. That was my only point. Plus I don't think the difference between them is nearly as much as many people make it out to be on this board. I've had plenty of moments yelling at the TV screen while watching both of them play D.

It's funny, we've got 2 very good, young PG's both who have improved a TON over the past 2 years. But most Raptor fans are divided themselves into 2 camps on who is better so almost every post about either player ends picking their faults apart and creating hyperboles to get our points across in attempts to prove that one of them is superior. And almost all of us end up falling into the trap.

The starting PG position, no matter which player we go forward with, is clearly not a weakness on this team. Both of them have their faults but we're still better off than 2/3's of the teams in the league whichever direction BC chooses.

[Reignman]

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We're not that far apart in our opinions here. Like I said, TJ is better against the quicker guys but he's still below average over all. That was my only point. Plus I don't think the difference between them is nearly as much as many people make it out to be on this board. I've had plenty of moments yelling at the TV screen while watching both of them play D.

It's funny, we've got 2 very good, young PG's both who have improved a TON over the past 2 years. But most Raptor fans are divided themselves into 2 camps on who is better so almost every post about either player ends picking their faults apart and creating hyperboles to get our points across in attempts to prove that one of them is superior. And almost all of us end up falling into the trap.

The starting PG position, no matter which player we go forward with, is clearly not a weakness on this team. Both of them have their faults but we're still better off than 2/3's of the teams in the league whichever direction BC chooses.

Very true. I know I have my personal preference on who I like as the starter, however, the difference between the 2 is so minimal that it does no good to prop one player up while stepping on the other. I actually find it a lot easier to talk about both point guards with my friends rather than on this board. It seems most posters only make points to get a rise out of other posters, and unfortunately, I have fallen into the "trap" myself due to some absurd comments from some of these "extremist" posters. At this point I'm comfortable knowing the Raps will start the person THEY feel will help the team the most.

[Rapcity_11]

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People tend to put 'heroes' in their avatars.

Yours is TJ, mine is Keibler

Actually thats dee brown in my avatar...but nice try.

[theanimal23]

When is he expected to play again? Debating to pick him up for my fantasy team...

[easyflow]

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Not to get into a debate about all of these issues, but TJ has been absolutely abused defensively in his previous 2 trips to the playoffs. JKidd last year and Billups the previous year.

You're correct that TJ is better than Jose at keeping his man in front of him therefore better against quick PG's but his height and small stature still make him a defensive liability in matchups with bigger PG's both in the post and when they shoot over him from the perimeter. And when he gets caught in switches with bigger players.

Just because Jose is a weak defender people need to stop making TJ out to be a stopper of some sort when that has never been the case. At the end of the day, they're both defensive liabilities more times than not.

Coudn't agree with you more. I feel like we lost the playoffs because of TJ. If anyone knows the game of basketball well, you'll know that matchup's are everything. TJ is often matched up against bigger and stronger point guards, which is a big problem at PG. Opposing pg's, like billups and kidd, have a much easier time against a defender like TJ. It allows them to see the court easier and muscle their way through him. Basically, it makes the whole game a lot easier. Those who do know the game, know there is a lot more to it than just the stats. In my opinion, we'll never go far in the playoff's with TJ at point. I hated the rotation with TJ and Dixon on the floor at the same time last year, that made me SICK. Maybe we should just have midgets playing in our backcourt...

[Derekman]

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Coudn't agree with you more. I feel like we lost the playoffs because of TJ. If anyone knows the game of basketball well, you'll know that matchup's are everything. TJ is often matched up against bigger and stronger point guards, which is a big problem at PG. Opposing pg's, like billups and kidd, have a much easier time against a defender like TJ. It allows them to see the court easier and muscle their way through him. Basically, it makes the whole game a lot easier. Those who do know the game, know there is a lot more to it than just the stats. In my opinion, we'll never go far in the playoff's with TJ at point. I hated the rotation with TJ and Dixon on the floor at the same time last year, that made me SICK. Maybe we should just have midgets playing in our backcourt...

hahahahahahhaha. TJ was far and away our best player last year in the playoffs. Yes TJ did get hurt last year by Kidd, but are you serious about us losing because of TJ. Are you sure it wasn't because Bosh was bullied by Mikki Moore, or our shooters missing the open shots they got, or maybe us getting outcoached in every possible way. Or maybe it was Jose's game-losing pass. And we can't go far in the playoffs because of TJ's defense, come on, he's wayyyyy better than Calderon. If we were matched up with a Wizards team with a healthy Gilbert and Calderon at point, we would be calling for Jose's head. There are only 2 points in the East that have a post game and those are the two you've named, and yes they would hurt TJ. The rest would abuse Calderon, so who won't we win with?

[Grizzled]

you should never lose your starting job due to an injury

Maybe, but that would only apply to someone who has fully recovered. TJ has a medical condition that he will never fully recover from, and that changes everything. To be more accurate I would say that if TJ can find a way to strengthen his neck and to be able to withstand similar hits without getting injured, and to show that he is durable and that a team can plan around him long term, then he will deserve some consideration for the starting PG spot. Until then he should be a backup, and we should start building this team around Calderon as our starter.

[stash]

I think both PG's would do a great job as a starter, and I think TJ plays better w/ Bosh than Jose.

The main reason that I think TJ should and will start is that TJ seems like a guy with an ego. I don't think he could handle losing his starting role to Calderon. I think Calderon could handle comming off of the bench better than TJ. TJ is a far more competitive type of player, and you can just see it when he takes on opposing point guards.

[Grizzled]

TJ is not really in a position to demand anything, and he doesn