John Lucas was working extensively with T.J. Ford was at Raptor practice Sunday and was quite vociferous in overseeing a three-way one on one game between T.J. Ford, Juan Dixon and Darrick Martin at the conclusion of practice. It was a simulated game as players received a pass from Lucas at the top of the key and had no more than two or three dribbles to get their shot off to try and score a bucket.
It was one on one with the rotation being play offence, play defence and then a rest. The "rest" wasn't very long as the game was very intense and extremely competitive. T.J. Ford looked good. He seemed to be in good basketball shape and there was no holding back. Lucas has proclaimed T.J. ready and now sees it as just a matter of practice and fine tuning before Ford returns to the line up.
It was interesting that Ford did say he considered retirement for a short time immediately after being taken from the floor on a stretcher in Atlanta. Lucas restated that he has told Ford that he has to be willing to start over should something happen again...
Prediction: He comes off the bench to play spotty minutes against the Clippers on Friday. A standing ovation would be nice.
*Cue Gonna Fly Now from Rocky*
