Assuming Ford's is going to be 100%, who cares about...?

[roy_jones_calderon]

Any of the other stuff surrounding the team right now.

For all the endless debate about whether Bargs is going to be a good player or not, let's not forget that the major development for the future of the Raps this last while has not been tied to the rebounding column in Bargs' box score.

I'm assuming that we're 'safe' to talk about TJ being able to return to the Raps and be a healthy player again. That's not news, really, but I don't know about you- I was beginning to sweat the whole situation and the signs that were developing for a while seemed to offer some dark scenarios for the future of our team.

I can't help but wonder whether the scare of this past situation won't have lasting implications. The short-term implication being that Colangelo is likely to become even more resistant to the idea of dealing Calderon.
Not going to see a lot of tears from me. The efficiency with which Calderon has been running the offense has been all-star worthy.

As much as he can be admonished for his defense or aggression in pushing the ball north/south, Jose has been nothing short of unprecedented with his assist-to-turnover ratio. I'm not a stat guy, but Hollinger's argument based on his own measure of effectiveness still puts Jose in a category of his own.

We're sitting on two of the top young point guards in the league, and neither are likely to go anywhere any time soon. As a fan, I feel pretty happy knowing that I'm going to be watching basketball with those guys at the point. It's redundant to talk about, but it still is worthy of mention.

What is especially revealing about the above, is that it has taken this season's development and TJ's absense to really appreciate TJ's game.

As TJ develops confidence in his decision making ability, I don't know if there is anyone on the roster that brings the leadership aspect as well as the confidence that TJ does. We are sadly missing his ability to get into the lane and disrupt the opposing team at the point of attack, as well as his ability to get a shot one-on-one at any moment.

There aren't many scenarios that come out of left field that can completely erase a player's career and value to a team. I was beginning to wonder whether we weren't at risk of going down that path with TJ.

Now that we're not, the rest of this season's developments seem less significant, given the inconsistent character of this year's team and the lowered expectations.

[Jamz18]

too much to read

[Harry Palmer]

For all his investment in him, I had always thought it more in accordance with BC's style to eventually move Ford instead of Jose, to be honest. I think he runs the kind of team more the way BC likes, not better/worse, just in terms of TYPE, and I also think that kind of move, ie trading the guy with the more established trade value by virtue of exposure, would fit with BC's thinking more.

Could be wrong, but that was always my gut instinct on it.

So now, obviously, that's not going to happen.

[energizerk2]

Assuming TJ's back playing 100%, knowing this board we're probably going to complain as much as we've always had about all of the issues this team has. When it comes down to it, our PG tandem is the driving force in our ability to win games. I just hope that when TJ returns he doesn't change his style of play to compensate for the injury. Hopefully he's picked up some pointers from John Lucas that'll improve his game also.

[Franchise_411]

Not wishing an injury on anyone ... but we don't know how the team would fair without Calderon in the lineup, with a healthy TJ ... With TJ out right now, people can argue all they want about how effective Calderon is as a starter, but reality is that they're a sub .500 team without TJ ... which indicates to me, that unless the Raptors deal TJ for another superstar (highly unlikely), they would be a pretty mediocre team ... People like two throw out Calderon's stats like their holy scripture, but we don't know what a healthy TJ's stats would be if he was playing 40+ minutes, he's never been given the opportunity ... But that being said, whether BC prefers one over the other is irrelevant, I don't think he's considering dealing either one, there is no way that he can not see what the team is missing with TJ out ...

[Schad]

too much to read

It's less than 500 words! That's maybe 30 seconds of reading!

I weep for the future.

[deknow]

For all his investment in him, I had always thought it more in accordance with BC's style to eventually move Ford instead of Jose, to be honest. I think he runs the kind of team more the way BC likes, not better/worse, just in terms of TYPE, and I also think that kind of move, ie trading the guy with the more established trade value by virtue of exposure, would fit with BC's thinking more.

Could be wrong, but that was always my gut instinct on it.

So now, obviously, that's not going to happen.

Huh??? That couldn't be further from the truth. Run and Gun is the Suns style and Nash is the one that makes them go. Jose is a slow half court PG who can't create. Ford was handpicked by BC to run the offense, Jose has been I pleasant surprise but his game is nothing close to what BC needs in his Up tempo offense.

[energizerk2]

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It's less than 500 words! That's maybe 30 seconds of reading!

I weep for the future.

I read it and I'm a moron.

[C Court]

I have long favored keeping both point guards.

The only scenario where we might trade one is if Bryan's hand is forced by a crazy offer to Jose. Then Bryan may be forced to do a sign and trade.

[Franchise_411]

I have long favored keeping both point guards.

The only scenario where we might trade one is if Bryan's hand is forced by a crazy offer to Jose. Then Bryan may be forced to do a sign and trade.

Who ever pays attention to stat-lover Rick Kamla, will believe that Jose will get close to max-money come this off season ... About a week ago, Kamla said on NBA TV daily that "I'd love to be Calderon's agent, he's going to get paid ... if he doesn't get close to the max, I'll be very surprised" ... that wasn't an exact quote, but pretty close ...

[The Letter V]

Agree. Losing TJ would've not only meant losing TJ the player, but TJ the asset. Losing the player would hurt, but having Jose here, certainly mitigates the loss. But to lose as big an asset as TJ on this young developping team without getting anything in return would have been a huge blow and a major setback.

[Harry Palmer]

I have long favored keeping both point guards.

Ideally, sure, but trading one of them seems to be the only real way we can improve the core, far as I see.

[deknow]

I have long favored keeping both point guards.

The only scenario where we might trade one is if Bryan's hand is forced by a crazy offer to Jose. Then Bryan may be forced to do a sign and trade.

With the saviour Roko coming over, it may be time to let Jose go and get a much needed Swing to offset Bargs' rebounding woes. I don't see this thing turning around anytime soon, Jose is our only tradeable asset he can definitely get us what we need.

I know the argument is TJ is one injury away from retirement but in all seriousness if we lose TJ we're not going anywhere anyway. Jose has been great but as a no.1 he can't elevate us to the next level.

[ansoncarter]

the best part is, they both keep getting better

and think how much better they'll be with a topnotch 2 guard beside them. Damn. Immediately takes a ton of pressure off them. Especially Tj

[willis_reborn]

TJ is IMO the emotional leader of this team. I didn't notice that until he went missing and all of a sudden there was no one out there barking orders and looking upset over blown assignments.

Yes, he went nuts on sum plays but i'd rather have human TJ than no TJ.

Good post Roy

[galeon110]

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It's less than 500 words! That's maybe 30 seconds of reading!

I weep for the future.

You read 500 words in 30 seconds? Not everyone's gifted like you...

[Strav]

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You read 500 words in 30 seconds? Not everyone's gifted like you...

more like around a minute, but who's complaining - great thread starter and I agree about the tandem.

I wonder how long it takes the cell phone generation to type in a text message that's a whole sentence. About the same time I would imagine as reading 500 words give or take a few seconds - random thought....

The Raps are not a complete team without TJ in the lineup unfortunately.

[Schad]

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You read 500 words in 30 seconds? Not everyone's gifted like you...

Sorry, hyperbole. The good people of this thread are lucky, though...I had an even longer response which disappeared into the ether.

[Harry Palmer]

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Sorry, hyperbole. The good people of this thread are lucky, though...I had an even longer response which disappeared into the ether.

LONGER than 22 words?

[undisputed55]

I agree with the OP. TJ is the heart of this team. He shows the most emotion and he shows the most leadership.

IMO Bosh has somewhat regressed in his leadership role. This just makes TJ that much more valuable to the team.