Analysis of TJ Ford situation

[peteyjones13]

Now there are 2 things that are extremely interesting to me relating to TJ Ford, that haven't been greatly noticed by this board.
1.)The Raps looking to another point guard this season, and
2.)looking to bring over Ukic next season.
People have talked about it, but haven't seriously talked about it as it relates to TJ Ford. Now, looking to acquire another point guard this season is a little bit suspicious if TJ is expected back soon. For example, if TJ was expected back in the next 2 weeks, or immediately after the all star game, I doubt it would be neccessary to acquire another point guard. We could live with the Dixon/Martin backup combo(as bad as it is) for a little while if TJ was expected back soon. But you guys can argue that until TJ gets back, we need someone to fill the huge hole when Jose's not in the game. OK, fine. But Roko Ukic coming over next year. Do guys think we're bringing him over here to be a 3rd tier point guard? I'm not sure. It makes more sense for them to bring him if they're expecting him to be backup. Maybe they plan for him to be a 3rd tier point guard, and it's just an insurance policy if something happens to TJ again, or even Jose. But I don't know. Maybe the Raptors brass knows more about TJ's situation than they care to share with us.


It really is a bizarre situation with TJ. What makes it so bizarre is the fact that the reason he isn't coming up, basically, (And I don't blame him) is because he's scared. From everything I've heard and read, his body is physically fine and ready to go, and he's not feeling lingering affects from his fall in Atlanta. He is just working on the mental aspect of his game. The impression I get is that he's trying to work up the confidence to come back and play. Or maybe he's just doubting coming back and playing at all. I mean look, his situation is extremely tough because different specialists have told him different things about how serious the risks are if TJ is to get hurt again. Some have told them there are serious health risks associated with another fall, some have told him there aren't. And chances are, he will take another fall at some point once again He's a 5"10 player with ridiculous speed, who gets extremely high in the air. Put those things together, and the high level of contact in the nba game, and there is a good chance that at some point, maybe when driving to the net, he will experience another hard fall. Now if a doctor tells him that that are serious health risks associated with another bad fall, or spinal injury, he really needs to question whether or not he should be playing. Maybe this is what he is doing right now.

Is he definitly coming back, or might he be questioning whether or not he will come back?

When you factor everything in that I've talked about above, it really is an interesting situation, and while TJ has been discussed, I'm surprised some of the points I've brought up here haven't been discussed more. Thanks a lot for taking the time to read my long posts. Looking forward to reading your comments.

[J Dilla]

I understand what you're saying, but this situation can be looked from a different perspective.

You said that the Raptors are looking to bring in another PG whether it be Ukic, or through a trade because of TJ's health concern. No doubt his health is a concern, but IMO BC might be in a tough tough situation in the offseason if:

1) TJ's get's injured (god forbid)
2) Jose leaves for $$$$$$$$

The Raptors will bring in Ukic as a possible backup and a starting PG (Stoudamire) IF Jose leaves and TJ is injured.

IMO the two things I mentioned have a very slim chance of happening. Ukic coming here is pure speculation at this point. Jose's value all depends on how he performs for the rest of the season, and how he performs in the playoffs. IF the Raptors continue with mediocrity, I don't see BC or any GM in the league hand him a rich deal. Thank God we have Jose and Roko, man BC should be thankful to Babcock and he should've made him his assistant GM.

I think you are thinking too much about TJ's absence. He's physically healed, no doubt. The reason he's working with John Lucas is for strength and conditioning. He might be working on his upper body strength and quickness while at the same time he might be mentally preparing himself. These are neck problems we are talking about here, not knee problems. Oden hasn't played a single game yet, because of his knee problems so why should TJ rush for a comeback when this is about his neck?

He has drawn a lot of contact before the Atlanta game. It's the falls that concern me. He's pretty strong enough to get hit, but falling is the major concern.

If the doctors told TJ that he cant play anymore, he would've retired within days after that fall. Thank god his competitive nature and his ability to endure that fall has kept him focused to get back.

I hope he comes back and has a long career.

[nordique]

I tell you, Ukic is not coming to be the 3rd PG, he declined two years ago when offered the backup slot and now he is the starter in a Euroleague team making good money. He is also under contract for the next season so he won't leave unless he's part of the Raps rotation.

[asif9t9]

I think a major reason to look into another PG is that DMart hasn't played well this year. He can't hit a shot and he's always been slow. BC knows DMart is done. He could have got rid of him in January, but in BC style, he doesn't want to be pressured. If he's trading for a PG, he wants everyone to think he's not desperate, and that he has other options. That's where Ukic comes into play.

[Respect]

I think you're right. TJ's situation is not a good one for the Raps. Luckily we have Jose "the next Nash" Calderone & BC must resign him & bring in both Roko & another PG for next season (maybe Jamario has a buddy in the minors that needs a shot). BC's biggest challenge in this situation is figuring out how to shed the Raps of TJ's contract (maybe we can trade him to Milwaukee for CV - they don't seem to be using him much ).

[chsh22]

If the doctors told TJ that he cant play anymore, he would've retired within days after that fall. Thank god his competitive nature and his ability to endure that fall has kept him focused to get back.

Thing is, he saw like every specialist in North America about his condition, and when they said "conflicting reports" were the result of that, it could very well be that one guy said his career was over, and another guy said as long as he doesn't keep having them happen he'll be fine. We really have no idea what all the doctors said or didn't say.

I hope he comes back and has a long career.

Same here.

[Social Lubrication]

I think Ukic will primarily play SG, at least for his first season. While he certainly has PG skills, he's most comfortable when creating offense for himself. If Delfino isn't resigned or Parker declines next year, there should be plenty of PT available for Ukic.

[Cassius]

Again, with his boy Garbo here, Mike Conley in Memphis, a city that feels more European than anywhere else in the league, a top young big man signed long term, a system that makes him look good, a fanbase that clearly loves him and a front office that will more than likely open the chequebook to retain him...

Why would Jose leave?

And for TJ, well, it's amazing what one stupid act can do to someone else's life. I wonder what our record would be right now if it weren't for that stupid play.

People say we are playing well now but I think a lot of us are forgetting what we looked like the game Ford went down.

[gcsw]

Whether TJ is coming back in 2 weeks or 2 months, or if Ukic or Damon is coming to TO do not matter. TJ will be traded. It's only a matter of time.

[shots n stops]

I think ur giving yourself too much credit dude and ur speculating A LOT, you have no information that claims that TJ is ready physically and it's just his head that's the problem right now, and doctor's are advising TJ that the way he has been playing he will expose himself to injury, TJ just has to play a more controlled game which doesn't mean he won't be able to use his speed.

we are only trading for a backup point guard that is BETTER than Darrick, in no way should that be confused with someone who could eventually take TJ's spot or playing backup to calderon, it's because darrick sucks and dixon is not a point

Bringing roko over is good right now because he's better suited for the NBA, he's playing good which means his stock is high and we could trade him, AND he can play the two

[omeloon]

Roko will take over for D-Mart AND Dixon next season, which might find him some decent playing time for his first year in the NBA.

As far as looking for a PG... the only rumor that confused me was the one coming out of Seattle involving Ridnour - since I never believed the Damon TRADE rumor. If BC was ever looking to add Ridnour this season then he might in fact be looking to deal one of our point guards.

[Taiyab_K]

Would the Raptors get some kind of cap relief if TJ is medically retired? Kind of like what happened to Allan Houston, did something happen to him?

[Reignman]

Another "Why I hate TJ Ford" thread, nice.

You know, I understand when you have to defend a Raptor player from fans of OTHER teams, but here on the Raptors board, it seems that our OWN players are the easy targets. Especially our 2nd best player who is out with an injury. Classy!

[gcsw]

Again, with his boy Garbo here, Mike Conley in Memphis, a city that feels more European than anywhere else in the league, a top young big man signed long term, a system that makes him look good, a fanbase that clearly loves him and a front office that will more than likely open the chequebook to retain him...

Why would Jose leave?

And for TJ, well, it's amazing what one stupid act can do to someone else's life. I wonder what our record would be right now if it weren't for that stupid play.

People say we are playing well now but I think a lot of us are forgetting what we looked like the game Ford went down.

No we didn't forget how we were getting blown out by 30pts by teams like Milwaukee when TJ was playing.

[Grizzled]

I understand what you're saying, but this situation can be looked from a different perspective.

You said that the Raptors are looking to bring in another PG whether it be Ukic, or through a trade because of TJ's health concern. No doubt his health is a concern, but IMO BC might be in a tough tough situation in the offseason if:

1) TJ's get's injured (god forbid)
2) Jose leaves for $$$$$$$$

The Raptors will bring in Ukic as a possible backup and a starting PG (Stoudamire) IF Jose leaves and TJ is injured.

IMO the two things I mentioned have a very slim chance of happening. Ukic coming here is pure speculation at this point. Jose's value all depends on how he performs for the rest of the season, and how he performs in the playoffs. IF the Raptors continue with mediocrity, I don't see BC or any GM in the league hand him a rich deal. Thank God we have Jose and Roko, man BC should be thankful to Babcock and he should've made him his assistant GM.

I think you are thinking too much about TJ's absence. He's physically healed, no doubt. The reason he's working with John Lucas is for strength and conditioning. He might be working on his upper body strength and quickness while at the same time he might be mentally preparing himself. These are neck problems we are talking about here, not knee problems. Oden hasn't played a single game yet, because of his knee problems so why should TJ rush for a comeback when this is about his neck?

He has drawn a lot of contact before the Atlanta game. It's the falls that concern me. He's pretty strong enough to get hit, but falling is the major concern.

If the doctors told TJ that he cant play anymore, he would've retired within days after that fall. Thank god his competitive nature and his ability to endure that fall has kept him focused to get back.

I hope he comes back and has a long career.

I don

[Spragga]

maybe when tj comes back he will start to play like Jose and not drive to the basket at all and just swing the ball to the sides and dump it down to bosh. Wouldnt that make most of you happy since tj is out of control most of the times?

Anyways I dont see tj getting traded for now. The injury risk is too big and we would get offered crap for him right now.

[Reignman]

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I don

[Reignman]

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I don

[Champipple]

BC is looking for a point guard right now yes... but he hasn't jumped on anyone and has been content to use Dixon / Ewok since TJ went down, which tells me he's not panicking.

Even if TJ comes back tomorrow, he is now officially injury prone, and we need a backup PG that can step in if (when) he gets injured again.

[Grizzled]

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If we give Jose 12 mil a year, that would completely derail any direction this team has established, and it would severely hamper our flexibility for the future. We'd be the epitomy of a treadmill team.

Jose has only started something like 50 games and he