Ford expected to make FULL recovery (link)

magani · Post #1 » by **magani** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 3:49 am

http://aol.nba.com/raptors/news/ford_010908.html

C Court · Post #2 » by **C Court** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 3:50 am

Great news. The Raptors need TJ Ford healthy and 100%!

bling_singh · Post #3 » by **bling_singh** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 3:51 am

nice find, thanks alot man

Luv 4 da game · Post #4 » by **Luv 4 da game** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 3:51 am

Ford Expected to Make Full Recovery

January 9, 2008 TORONTO (CP) -- Toronto Raptors point guard T.J. Ford got some good news Wednesday.

Ford is expected to make a full recovery from the neck injury that has sidelined him since Dec. 11, a Raptors spokesman said.

``His prognosis is highly favourable for a full recovery and return to basketball,'' said Raptors official Jim Labumbard.

The news comes after Ford travelled to the renowned Cleveland Clinic to consult with specialists about his injured neck and arms earlier Wednesday.

To ready for his return to the court, the 24-year-old guard is flying home to Houston to train with John Lucas, who helped Ford rebound from his more serious neck injury that kept him out of half of his rookie season and his entire sophomore season.

Ford missed his 13th consecutive game Wednesday due to his most recent neck injury, suffered in a fall in Atlanta when he was fouled hard by Hawks forward Al Horford.

There was concern he may have to sit the remainder of the season, or worst-case scenario, call it quits on his young and promising basketball career.

``We've just gathered us some more information,'' Ford told reporters earlier Wednesday, before the Raptors' game versus the visiting Philadelphia 76ers. ``I just got back so we haven't had time to sit down with (Raptors medical staff) and process all the information and go from there.''

The injury is the latest in a string of similar setbacks for the guard who suffers from spinal stenosis a narrowing of the openings of the vertebra.

He missed half his rookie season and all of the 2004-'05 campaign with the Milwaukee Bucks after undergoing neck surgery.

He's suffered three neck injuries since joining the Raptors in the summer of 2006, including two this season.

He had already consulted orthopedic specialists in Los Angeles and New York since this injury, and is listed as being out indefinitely. The Raptors have gone 6-7 in Ford's absence.

I LOVE IT ... thanks for the good news man.

Indiana Jones · Post #5 » by **Indiana Jones** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 3:58 am

wait, i thought roko ukic was going to save the world?? haha...get back soooooon tj

Post #6 » by **Rhettmatic** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:00 am

Great news. Still wish they'd give us a clearer idea when he might be back.

Post #7 » by **roy_jones_calderon** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:04 am

Best news in a long time for the Raps...

KingOfTheCourt · Post #8 » by **KingOfTheCourt** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:06 am

Thats great news. They definitely need his swagger in the lineup as much as his talent and ability.

Post #9 » by **TheDoctor** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:06 am

Franchise_411 · Post #10 » by **Franchise_411** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:08 am

sub .500 without him ... needing 4th quarter pushes to beat teams like Philly ... the Raps desparately need him back ...

bigtime105 · Post #11 » by **bigtime105** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:10 am

old news Ford was fully recovered when he left the Atlanta hospital

Sun Tzu · Post #12 » by **Sun Tzu** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:10 am

I don't want to rain on this parade (I will be as happy as anyone to have Ford back), but is there anything new in this?

We knew that he was going to make a "full" recovery from the effects of the last hit, and we also know that the reason they are taking their time is because he remains more susceptible to spinal injury due to his (permanent) condition.

HighOctane · Post #13 » by **HighOctane** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:12 am

We definately need our 2 pg tandem back.

Los Manos · Post #14 » by **Los Manos** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:12 am

Great news, good to hear he'll be rehabbing with John Lucas too before making a return this season.

Post #15 » by **Rhettmatic** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:21 am

Sun Tzu wrote:I don't want to rain on this parade (I will be as happy as anyone to have Ford back), but is there anything new in this?

We knew that he was going to make a "full" recovery from the effects of the last hit, and we also know that the reason they are taking their time is because he remains more susceptible to spinal injury due to his (permanent) condition.

This is the top of the AP version of this story (the above quote is from CP), which is a bit newsier:

Raptors guard T.J. Ford was cleared to resume workouts Wednesday after visiting a spine specialist in Cleveland.

It isn't immediately known when Ford, injured last month during a game at Atlanta, will begin working out again. There is also no timetable for his return to the Raptors.

Bankai · Post #16 » by **Bankai** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:22 am

Great that he is coming back, I honestly think the whole ordeal was pure mental for him. I think he was fully recovered earlier, but you cannot take your chance on a possible career ender.

Again, I hope with time he can block the mental issues out when he comes back, so he can be the same old TJ that in a Jack voice "Arrgh loves to take it in the gut of the defense" for some good old old draw-and-kick and get to the FT line. While some of you think thats too reckless/out of control, His play style does bring a whole dimension to the game, which was sorely missed. But again they need to make sure then he is ready to be back, it wont be the same anymore if he panics and stays on the perimeter.

magani · Post #17 » by **magani** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:22 am

Sun Tzu wrote:I don't want to rain on this parade (I will be as happy as anyone to have Ford back), but is there anything new in this?

We knew that he was going to make a "full" recovery from the effects of the last hit, and we also know that the reason they are taking their time is because he remains more susceptible to spinal injury due to his (permanent) condition.

I understand your point, but this is the most positive news yet to date. It comes on the heels of his latest visit to a specialist in Cleveland and all but confirms what most of us were hoping for. There's a difference between making a full recovery outside of basketball and one where he continues to play. The former was never in doubt, but the latter is pretty much confirmed (at least until he's tested on the court in real games).

gigi · Post #18 » by **gigi** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:28 am

AWESOME NEWS! :clap:

With Caldy getting all these extra minutes and experience against starters in Fords absense and hes been doing a great job of it imagine TJ back at full speed and Caldy coming of the bench FRESH and destroying the other teams bench! This could be the begining of a great season at the PG position for the Raps! Could be a huge spark!

Post #19 » by **Harry Palmer** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:30 am

It's certainly not bad news, I'm just not sure it's really news at all. Maybe I misunderstood, but didn't we already know this, and the concern was just about whether/if it could happen again in the future? Honestly not trying to be negative, just that was my perception.

:dontknow:

Buyaka · Post #20 » by **Buyaka** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:40 am

Bankai wrote:Great that he is coming back, I honestly think the whole ordeal was pure mental for him. I think he was fully recovered earlier, but you cannot take your chance on a possible career ender.

Again, I hope with time he can block the mental issues out when he comes back, so he can be the same old TJ that in a Jack voice "Arrgh loves to take it in the gut of the defense" for some good old old draw-and-kick and get to the FT line. While some of you think thats too reckless/out of control, His play style does bring a whole dimension to the game, which was sorely missed. But again they need to make sure then he is ready to be back, it wont be the same anymore if he panics and stays on the perimeter.

I was thinking the same. Good to hear TJ will be at 100%