[Yahoo! Sports] Calderon or Ford as the Raps starting PG?

[barrist]

Didn't see this posted, lock if so.

Sure to be a lively thread..

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/nba_experts/post/Whaddayouthink-Calderon-or-Ford-as-the-Raps-sta;_ylt=AjwkPA7wuhfAdsaTEWZ44Jm8vLYF?urn=nba,65294

It's no secret that Calderon has been tearing up the Eastern Conference since taking over for Ford. With solid starter minutes, Calderon has averaged 14 points (on 53% shooting) and 10 dimes. Add to that a ridiculous league-leading 5.56 assist-to-turnover ratio, and the Spaniard even had some NBA pundits claiming he should make the All-Star Game. He's been incredible.

But does Calderon's play mean Ford shouldn't be awarded his starting point spot back? I say no.

[Raptorian]

here it comes....

[Live Free]

uh oh

[kavan]

You keep it to whats working but in the offseason if your starting Ford over Calderon that may hurt are bargining chip with Calderon. He will look for 8million or so aswell like Ford. For financial reasons id make him a great lift off the bench even if we take TJ off 5min into the game.

[Komodo]

Given TJ's chronic back woes, I feel he is best utilized as a sparkplug off of the bench, where he will be playing in fewer minutes than Jose, and thus less likely to suffer another injury.

This is not to say that TJ doesn't have the skill to be a starter, because it's clear he does, but given the circumstance, I just feel it's wiser to use him off the bench where he will torch second units, catch them off guard with his speed and penetration.

[Nia]

here it comes....

[mini]

And Bargnani is a bust...discuss.

We might as well get it all going in one thread.

[Live Free]

dammit, yahoo sports is going to tear this team apart

[Death Knight]

Let's trade TJ and Jose for Chris Paul. The 1 pg that we all want.

[alpha]

Calderord : is our newest point guard

[inrapscity]

FORD is the starter simply coz Sam and BC are going to make it so.

Unless one's traded, Ford's going to be the starter. Unless he's facing Kidd that is.

[teamLeiweke]

HOW DARE THEY DISCUSS THIS, JUST BE HAPPY HE IS BACK AND THEY ARE TOGETHER, WHAT DISRESPECT TO TJ FORD, HOW DARE THEY, THERE IS NO PROBLEM, THEY ARE IN LOVE... WHY HASNT THIS BOARD CALLED THE WRITER OF THIS ARTICLE EVERY NAME IN THE BOOK LIKE I RECEIVED YESTERDAY.

I think it is obvious, TJ has health concerns, Jose continues to start, you slowly increase TJs minutes, eventually, Jose still starts and you give more minutes to the player who is playing better or is exploiting matchups better... leave whoever is making a run in.

[Indiana Jones]

and we should fire sam mitchell...

[KG1585]

I know you are not suppose to lose your job to injury, but I think this team will go with Jose as a starter, unless he starts to struggle. During crunch time, I think it will be the pg that is playing better will be in the game.[/quote]

[teamLeiweke]

I dont think the Raptors have eve player better basketball than they have played recently, if it aint broke, dont fix it, the only thing that can be fixed is reducing Jose's minutes slightly, to keep him healthy and fresh, and improving on the back up (Dixon) with TJ FORD... which is HUGE!!!!

Bosh's chemistry right now is also incredible.

You cant be sensitive, Brady over Bledsoe, Romo over Bledsoe, Young over Montana... if a star is born a star is born... Jose has been patiently waiting for his chance in the shadow is TJ, was finally given a chance and THRIVED. You cant pull it away from him now.. not with the success the raptors are having.

[jay632]

who in the BLUE HELL IS J.E. Skeets. Calderon is the starter, thats it!

[Not Just a Ballboy]

I would like to see them both start. JC starts at SG subs out after 10 minutes, then goes back in for TJ at PG a couple minutes into the 2nd quarter. When TJ's rested, JC slides back to SG.

[elephunk]

I can honestly see both scenarios playing out.

If TJ finds that groove he was in before his injury, I wouldn't be surprised at all if Sam inserts him back into the starting lineup. Knowing what kind of guy Jose is, I'm certain he wouldn't have a single problem with it either. Just In my opinion, that TJ Ford is the better player between the two.

On the other hand, TJ may never even find that rhythm he had been playing this year (pre-injury) back; which makes Sam's decision a lot easier. And, benching Calderon now in no way is going to reduce his value when he becomes a free-agent. He was a good PG anyways, but since TJ went down, it's not a reach to say that his stock went up 1 or 2 million dollars high.
Or, Sam could opt to go with the way it is now even with Ford finding his form, so as not to mess with the current chemistry, and may decide to ride this all the way to the playoffs.


Either way, I wouldn't mind. They're both going to end up playing 20-25 MPG most of the nights anyways.

[don't panac]

how is ford losing his 'job' coming of the bench?
isn't his job to play for the raptors?

for now i think it's a no brainer. calderon has earned the starting role.

if he keeps putting up these numbers/performances, i don't see how that is going to change soon. especially with kapono also being in the second unit. but i think they'll get roughly equal minutes soon.

[peteyjones13]

forget jose vs tj
I just feel like Jose works better with the starters, and TJ better with the backups. Jose works better with the likes of AP and Bosh. TJ works better with the likes of Rasho and JK. TJ was great with Rasho last year.