OT: Rate TJ Ford

[Miller4ever]

So I'm starting this thread to pass time as we head out of summer league into the lull of pre-training camp. We'll do video game ratings of certain players, and we'll start with TJ Ford, the projected starting 1-guard for your Indiana Pacers.

Here's the rules: Rate from 50-100 each category, not leaving any out. Just cut & paste the form below. Overall is not just an average of the ratings, but a ballpark of what the player's overall effectiveness is. for example, a player like Udonis Haslem lacks perimeter skills completely, but is actually around an 80.

A few examples of my overalls for people are:
Kobe Bryant 100
Lebron James 100
Jeff Foster 74
Yao Ming 87
Dwight Howard 99

Now for an explanation of the ratings:

Speed-Sprinting speed, in a straight line. Who would win in a footrace, basically.
Agility-Turning power. This is more about the lateral movement and the ability to stop and go.
Close Range-Shots from within 8 feet of the basket. Does NOT include layups and dunks.
Mid Range-Shots from 8-20 feet from the basket.
Long Range-Shots from beyond 20 feet from the basket.
Free Throw-Free throw success rate, basically their percentage.
Air Game-Layups and Dunks, the ability to make the tough ones with lots of defense, not the gimmes.
Ball Handling-Dribbling skills, and turnover protection.
Passing-Ability to make tough passes through the defense and find the open man. Includes court vision.
Composure-Ability to keep cool when frustration sets in, and make good shot selection.
Aggression-Willingness to put in effort no matter what the situation.
Lockdown Defense-How good one-on-one the player is against opposing players.
Positional Defense-How well a player positions within a zone defense or plugs up the passing lanes.
Post Offense-Back-to-the-basket play. Dream Shakes, spin-moves, straight-up powering in, etc.
Post Defense-Blocking ability and defense against a post-player.
Overall-See above explanation.

Go for it:

Speed:
Agility:
Close Rnge:
Mid Rnge:
Long Rnge:
Free Throws:
Air Game:
Handling:
Passing:
Composure:
Aggression:
Lockdown D:
Positional D:
Post Offense:
Post Defense:
-------------------------
Overall:

[Miller4ever]

Speed: 95
Agility: 90
Close Rnge: 85
Mid Rnge: 80
Long Rnge: 75
Free Throws: 85
Air Game: 60
Handling: 90
Passing: 90
Composure: 80
Aggression: 75
Lockdown D: 70
Positional D: 65
Post Offense: 50
Post Defense: 50
-------------------------
Overall: 85

[Bucky O'Hare]

Speed: 97
Agility: 95
Close Rnge: 80
Mid Rnge: 80
Long Rnge: 70
Free Throws: 88
Air Game: 87
Handling: 92
Passing: 94
Composure: 80
Aggression: 85
Lockdown D: 72
Positional D: 83
Post Offense: 50
Post Defense: 53
-------------------------
Overall: 83

[OhMyBosh]

Speed: 91 - he is generally overrated in this rating because people mix it up with the next rating; he's fast, but there are definitely faster when running from one end to the other
Agility: 97 - easily the best in the league in this. He changes directions quicker than any player
Close Rnge: 85 - has a slight tendency to miss layups, but he attacks the rim fearlessly.
Mid Rnge: 82 - favourite move is a pull-up from the foul line extended; when he has a hot hand, it's difficult to stop him
Long Rnge: 68 - he doesn't shoot from too far that often, but he's made noticeable improvements in the area
Free Throws: 88 - one of the best in the league these days
Air Game: 83 - he attacks the rim and he can dunk and float in the air for layups
Handling: 91 - he moves quick, which causes the occasional turnover
Passing: 94 - he's a very good passer when in the mood. Not saying he's selfish, but he can easily average 10+ assists a game if he really wanted to
Composure: 70 - biggest flaw in his game; can get carried away with his emotions (only because he hates losing)
Aggression: 88 - he's a warrior even after his injuries
Lockdown D: 73 - he has good footwork, but lacks the size and strength to keep the ballhandler from attacking the rim
Positional D: 76 - he has good vision of passing lanes; quick hands help him deflect the ball and cause chaos
Post Offense: 50 - doesn't post up
Post Defense: 55 - he's quick enough to occasionally poke the ball loose if he's being posted up; however, he lacks upperbody strength
-------------------------
Overall: 84


I'm sure most Raptor fans will agree with me that TJ can be a 20/10 player when given the minutes and opportunity. His first year in Toronto, he averaged 14/8 in less than 30 mpg. If he had more minutes, he would've easily had 18/10 in 37 mpg as the second option on the team. He can get into a zone where he might look for his own shot more than passing (hence the nickname "MeJ Ford"), but he's more often a very good floor general. I enjoyed watching him play for two seasons. I'll still watch him next year because I want him to do well.

[Miller4ever]

Thanks for a good assessment from someone who's watched him for a while.