Has the time come for AJ Price?

8305 · Post #1 » by **8305** » Sun Dec 12, 2010 1:03 pm

I'll confess to being one of the TJ Ford haters and I have to admit his play has improved from previous years. I think he makes fewer mistakes with the ball, his defensive effort is better and he seems to be acknowleding the weaknesses in his game.

All that said he's just not that good. HIs shot is just plain unreliable and his defense is still not remarkable. He's also not much of a change up from Collison. Both are small and will struggle with certain matchups. See the Oklahoma City box score.

AJ Price can shoot and brings a little more size which should help at the defensive end. He has been a pretty good soldier waiting for his opportunity. I'd like to see the Pacers take ten games and trade out minutes between Price and Ford.

Post #2 » by **Miller4ever** » Sun Dec 12, 2010 6:34 pm

TJ Ford's decision-making has come at the cost of him shooting the jumper at an enormously inefficient rate, but he's way more consistent. Price can get the same numbers as TJ with more shooting efficiency. He may not do the same things with the ball, but at least he's got more size on defense.

TJ Ford's fine for now. He's pretty good as far as backup PG's go. Once the trade deadline passes, start playing Price.

Kuq_e_Zi91 · Post #3 » by **Kuq_e_Zi91** » Sun Dec 12, 2010 8:12 pm

AJ Price makes me feel much more comfortable than Ford, and probably to an extent even Collison. He's solid and plays very under control and mistake free. It's a shame he can't seem to get any minutes.

chube · Post #4 » by **chube** » Sun Dec 12, 2010 10:44 pm

Price will get his time. He may get thrusted into the backup role by mid-February once the trade deadline comes and goes. I could see a team on the cusp that doesn't have much by way of a backup point guard making a play for TJ Ford.

Off the top of my head, some teams who are lacking at the backup PG - Chicago (C.J. Watson), Oklahoma City (Eric Maynor), Portland (don't even know.)

And even if he's not traded, I doubt TJ is back next year because he seems to have a table reserved in the doghouse of JOB. And speaking of hoping he's not back next year...

aquatic92 · Post #5 » by **aquatic92** » Mon Dec 13, 2010 4:56 am

Showcasing T.J. Ford. Next year will be Price's year as the fulltime backup for DC. We're just trying to maximize Ford's value in a contract year.

portlandpilot · Post #6 » by **portlandpilot** » Mon Dec 13, 2010 3:34 pm

chube wrote:Price will get his time. He may get thrusted into the backup role by mid-February once the trade deadline comes and goes. I could see a team on the cusp that doesn't have much by way of a backup point guard making a play for TJ Ford.

Off the top of my head, some teams who are lacking at the backup PG - Chicago (C.J. Watson), Oklahoma City (Eric Maynor), Portland (don't even know.)

And even if he's not traded, I doubt TJ is back next year because he seems to have a table reserved in the doghouse of JOB. And speaking of hoping he's not back next year...

Portland's Backup right now is a mix between Armon Johnson and Patty Mills. Points to anyone in here who knows who either of those guys are. Point being: lets work out a deal for TJ

Post #7 » by **Miller4ever** » Mon Dec 13, 2010 3:51 pm

Joel Pryzbilla and Wesley Matthews for TJ Ford and Solomon Jones?

Post #8 » by **Miller4ever** » Mon Dec 13, 2010 3:53 pm

We add a 2012 pick.

Post #9 » by **mizzoupacers** » Mon Dec 13, 2010 4:14 pm

No thanks to Matthews and his contract.

Ford straight up for Przybilla might be interesting. It would help the Pacers this season if Price is ready to step in as the backup--we'd upgrade at backup center without losing much at backup pg.

Then next summer the Pacers would have to decide whether to re-sign Przybilla, or free up some payroll space (Przybilla, like Ford, is in the last year of his contract).

Post #10 » by **Miller4ever** » Mon Dec 13, 2010 4:30 pm

I got TJ Ford's contract $$ mixed up with Dunleavy's. I was trying to match salary a little better.

Wizop · Post #11 » by **Wizop** » Mon Dec 13, 2010 5:01 pm

tonight's game with Chicago will tell me a lot. a win or even a close game will have me feeling that we have a chance to win the Central which would give us a meaningful playoff spot. if we are a legitimate contender, I think playing TJ gives us the best chance to win games. if we fall out of the race, I'd want to force O'B to play Price as the backup and Stevenson as the emergency fill-in by trading TJ.

yes, I know there was a time I'd have traded TJ for a wet noodle. that was last year's TJ. I'm much less likely to outright shop this year's TJ whatever happens but as the deadline approaches, he'll be the expiring contract that might be the most attractive to others. we need Mike and Jeff deserves to retire as a Pacer.

portlandpilot · Post #12 » by **portlandpilot** » Mon Dec 13, 2010 6:24 pm

mizzoupacers wrote:No thanks to Matthews and his contract.

Ford straight up for Przybilla might be interesting. It would help the Pacers this season if Price is ready to step in as the backup--we'd upgrade at backup center without losing much at backup pg.

Then next summer the Pacers would have to decide whether to re-sign Przybilla, or free up some payroll space (Przybilla, like Ford, is in the last year of his contract).

Right now Matthews is the golden boy in Portland. Brandon Roy's knee is giving us some major problems, and Matthews (who I believe is 22) is averaging nearly 20 ppgs as a starter over the life of 10 or 12 games.

We also have a 3 million dollar injury exception from Oden's latest boo boo. Plus we also have two first round draft picks, one from NO in exchange for Jerryd Bayless.

I like the idea of the Przybilla deal. He is really a fan favorite around here, and he has been here for a long time. Not to mention he was, and is working his way back to being, one of the best defensive centers around the rim. It would be really tough to lose him, but I might do it considering how awful our second unit is at scoring right now.

aquatic92 · Post #13 » by **aquatic92** » Mon Dec 13, 2010 7:43 pm

mizzoupacers wrote:No thanks to Matthews and his contract.

Ford straight up for Przybilla might be interesting. It would help the Pacers this season if Price is ready to step in as the backup--we'd upgrade at backup center without losing much at backup pg.

Then next summer the Pacers would have to decide whether to re-sign Przybilla, or free up some payroll space (Przybilla, like Ford, is in the last year of his contract).

Portlandpilot beat me to the punch. Matthews has played EXTREMELY well this year in portland, who have been playing decently so its not like hes putting up numbers on a 2-20 team either. That trade would be a steal, but im not sure how matthews fits with us nor do i like pryzbilla on our squad.

portlandpilot · Post #14 » by **portlandpilot** » Mon Dec 13, 2010 8:39 pm

Do you guys have any interest in a Rudy Fernandez deal? He was being a big Ahole over the summer but has been a great teammate so far. Problem is that his shooting percentage is pretty weak so far, but i know he is capable of being a good player, and he could benefit from a change of scenery.

Indy2thaWindy · Post #15 » by **Indy2thaWindy** » Mon Dec 13, 2010 9:11 pm

portlandpilot wrote:Do you guys have any interest in a Rudy Fernandez deal? He was being a big Ahole over the summer but has been a great teammate so far. Problem is that his shooting percentage is pretty weak so far, but i know he is capable of being a good player, and he could benefit from a change of scenery.

We need a big. Are there teams that want Rudy?

portlandpilot · Post #16 » by **portlandpilot** » Mon Dec 13, 2010 9:26 pm

^ There are a couple of teams who supposedly have expressed interest, they haven't had much to offer us in return that was of equal value. As far as our bigs go, we have Marcus Camby, Joel Przybilla, Greg Oden (who we will want more in return than you will want to give for his broken knees), Sean Marks (who you can just wait for over by the waiver wire for awhile if you really want him), and LaMarcus Aldridge.

Post #17 » by **Scoot McGroot** » Mon Dec 13, 2010 9:51 pm

portlandpilot wrote:Do you guys have any interest in a Rudy Fernandez deal? He was being a big Ahole over the summer but has been a great teammate so far. Problem is that his shooting percentage is pretty weak so far, but i know he is capable of being a good player, and he could benefit from a change of scenery.

We don't have a spot for him at all. With Rush, Dunleavy, and George all wanting/needing playing time at the 2 spot, with Granger at the 3, there's just no need at all for Rudy.

Solid · Post #18 » by **Solid** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 4:52 pm

How well could Price guard a guy like Westbrook? I am ok with sucking this year so we can "showcase" TJ but one of our glaring weaknesses is inability to D up with large points/small 2s.

If he can't keep such guys from blowing up on us then maybe we should consider a TJ for Heinrich trade? Or who else?

Who are the best defenders against guys like that?

Indy2thaWindy · Post #19 » by **Indy2thaWindy** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 6:46 pm

It's not that the point guards are big, it's just that they are good. Do you honestly think Kirk Hinrich could slow down Deron Williams or Russell Westbrook?

Solid · Post #20 » by **Solid** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 7:20 pm

Well who can?
List for me the best lock down defenders of 6'4 guys in the league.
If he can't throw it in the ocean ...even better, because no one respects D and he will be cheap and we can get him as a back up.