Sportsnet.ca - Waiting on Ford
Posted: Thu Jan 3, 2008 6:17 am
http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/2008 ... ones_ford/
"The thing about T.J. is he could still finish over guys," commented Mitchell. "That's what used to shock guys, a guy that small getting into the paint well, and if you didn't come aggressive and challenge his shot, T.J. could rise above you and score. Or he'd get to the free throw line, or he'd suck the defence in and he'd make a pass.
But Ford has more pressing issues to deal with now than scoring in the lane over bigger players. Just getting back on the court is his next step.
"I think I'm fine" said Ford before Toronto's win last week in San Antonio. "I'm almost back to normal and we just (need) to continue to be patient and make the right decision as far as when I return."
While the word "retirement" has popped up, it sounds like the same attitude that enabled a player listed at 6'0 (probably closer to 5'10") and 165 pounds to be fearless will still be prevalent in his return to the court. The sight of Ford lying motionless on the floor at Philips Arena had basketball people fearing for the worst but leaving the game he loves seems to be only a fleeting thought right now for Ford. It sounds like when he's ready, Ford will be back.
"Realistically, any person that is in that situation I was in as far as being taken off on a stretcher, that the first thing that crosses your mind is that your career is over," said Ford. "I think once you settle down, calm down, and take the tests and exams and the doctors clear you and say that you're fine, everything goes back to normal."
"You live once and you've got to live with the decisions you make and whatever decisions I make, I'll live with them, regardless of what happens."
When asked about altering the way he plays the game, Ford talked about an evolving process but acknowledged he still has to encompass a certain amount of aggressiveness to be effective.
"You know I think I kind of changed my style already," said a smiling Ford. "I don't think I go in there as wild as I did when I came in as a rookie."
"I'm just a warrior man. I don't really worry about it. When I get back and I play, there's only one way for me to be able to play and if I can't play at that level and do the things I'm capable of doing and being T.J. Ford, the player that everybody enjoys watching, I'll reconsider."
Bottom line sounds like Ford will be back. When? Nobody knows for sure. His numerous visits to doctors and specialists serve only to gather information and make sure that he and the medical staff do everything possible to make sure he has a long career. Ford understands that there is a risk and whether it's big or small it's still a risk. In spite of it all, the diminutive Texan is prepared to live with the consequences of his decision and trust a higher power.
"Nothing has changed or else we would have a set in stone answer," said Ford. "There is only one person in this world that can dictate how my life is going to turn out. I'm willing to do the things I normally do and things that I love to do until he calls me to do something else because either way it goes if it's meant for something to happen, it's going to happen no matter what you're doing."
"The thing about T.J. is he could still finish over guys," commented Mitchell. "That's what used to shock guys, a guy that small getting into the paint well, and if you didn't come aggressive and challenge his shot, T.J. could rise above you and score. Or he'd get to the free throw line, or he'd suck the defence in and he'd make a pass.
But Ford has more pressing issues to deal with now than scoring in the lane over bigger players. Just getting back on the court is his next step.
"I think I'm fine" said Ford before Toronto's win last week in San Antonio. "I'm almost back to normal and we just (need) to continue to be patient and make the right decision as far as when I return."
While the word "retirement" has popped up, it sounds like the same attitude that enabled a player listed at 6'0 (probably closer to 5'10") and 165 pounds to be fearless will still be prevalent in his return to the court. The sight of Ford lying motionless on the floor at Philips Arena had basketball people fearing for the worst but leaving the game he loves seems to be only a fleeting thought right now for Ford. It sounds like when he's ready, Ford will be back.
"Realistically, any person that is in that situation I was in as far as being taken off on a stretcher, that the first thing that crosses your mind is that your career is over," said Ford. "I think once you settle down, calm down, and take the tests and exams and the doctors clear you and say that you're fine, everything goes back to normal."
"You live once and you've got to live with the decisions you make and whatever decisions I make, I'll live with them, regardless of what happens."
When asked about altering the way he plays the game, Ford talked about an evolving process but acknowledged he still has to encompass a certain amount of aggressiveness to be effective.
"You know I think I kind of changed my style already," said a smiling Ford. "I don't think I go in there as wild as I did when I came in as a rookie."
"I'm just a warrior man. I don't really worry about it. When I get back and I play, there's only one way for me to be able to play and if I can't play at that level and do the things I'm capable of doing and being T.J. Ford, the player that everybody enjoys watching, I'll reconsider."
Bottom line sounds like Ford will be back. When? Nobody knows for sure. His numerous visits to doctors and specialists serve only to gather information and make sure that he and the medical staff do everything possible to make sure he has a long career. Ford understands that there is a risk and whether it's big or small it's still a risk. In spite of it all, the diminutive Texan is prepared to live with the consequences of his decision and trust a higher power.
"Nothing has changed or else we would have a set in stone answer," said Ford. "There is only one person in this world that can dictate how my life is going to turn out. I'm willing to do the things I normally do and things that I love to do until he calls me to do something else because either way it goes if it's meant for something to happen, it's going to happen no matter what you're doing."
