Photo. Eriberto OriolT.J. Ford is not happy about losing minutes, and possibly his job altogether, to Jose Calderon. And it’s really not a shock that he’s irritated. Ford can play, would probably start for several teams in the League right now, and has an NBA-sized ego. It’s safe to assume that no matter how great Calderon has been this season, T.J. watched and still thinks he could do better. You don’t get to this level without thinking you’re the best … even though Jose has been a revelation this season and was arguably one of the All-Star game’s most glaring snubs.
Now, after T.J.’s return to the active lineup, seeing his minutes and role diminished, the Raptors are apparently in damage control mode. From the Toronto Star today:
MIAMI–Less than an hour before tipoff last night, the visitors’ locker room was gripped with a minor mystery: The whereabouts of T.J. Ford appeared to be in doubt.
“Where is he?” one teammated wondered.“Is he here?” asked another.
The only sign of Ford was a clean uniform hanging in his locker above a pile of his personal effects. While most of his colleagues had already broken their pre-game sweat, Ford had yet to disrobe from his street clothes. Shrugs were shared. Heads were shook. Observations were made.
“He ain’t going nowhere without that backpack,” said Joey Graham, pointing to Ford’s Louis Vuitton carryall.
It turned out Ford was not a flight risk à la Rafer Alston, the former Raptor who threatened to quit the game after his feelings were hurt a few seasons back. But Ford did spend more than an hour in a pair of pre-game meetings, one with Mark Eversley, the club’s director of basketball operations, another with Sam Mitchell, the head coach.
“I had some personal issues I had to attend to,” said Ford. “I don’t think that’s going to affect (the game), though. I’m good.”
What issues? He wouldn’t elaborate. But while Ford has said publicly he is comfortable with Jose Calderon as the starting point guard, he hasn’t exactly acted as though he’s at peace. Calderon got the job when Ford went down with injuries that have kept him out of 31 of the team’s 60 games; Calderon has remained the starter in the month or so since Ford’s return.
If his body language in the couple of games before last night had been translated into words, you’d have shielded your kids’ ears. Tuesday in Orlando, non-plussed he’d been hooked from the game, Ford made a 20-foot walk to the bench look more like a procession to the electric chair. It wasn’t the only outward expression of his discontent.
At this point, there’s probably no way for Ford to reclaim his status, especially with Calderon’s restricted free agency looming (the Raps have already said they will match whatever offers come Calderon’s way). So what becomes of T.J.? Does he demand a trade in the offseason? And if he gets out, where could he win a starting job?
March 6th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
control says:
I am a long time Raptors fan, and over the last few months have almost come to hate it when TJ is on the floor. Picking up box scores the next day and seeing that TJ has shot more shots than Chris Bosh, and made 30% of them, just makes me feel dirty. The guy has had several games where he goes 5-17, and Bosh goes 10-14 and Jose has 11 assists w/ 1 turn over and TJ has 5 assists with 3 turn overs.
If TJ wants to keep jacking shots like a low budget Allen Iverson, Toronto should just let the fool be unhappy, then let him walk or trade or wtf you gotta do to get rid of him later on. If he wants to bitch about losing pt, he should pass the fucking ball and make some plays instead of jacking up terrible shots with 17 seconds left on the shot clock.
TJ has to realize that TJ isn’t the star of the team, Chris Bosh is. Get him the ball, shine his shoes and shut the fuck up.
March 6th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Bobby stew says:
Ford would do well in Indiana, Cleveland, Miami, and other places. He was certaimly the man in Texas. I can’t blame Toronto for liking Jose though. Jose is taller and less injury prone.
March 6th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
YallAllReadyKnow says:
this little negro needs to face the facts that he’s not the best pg on his own team.
ford barely fits the job description of a starting poing guard. he can barely shoot, cannot play any pressure defense and he’s not a floor leader.
maybe the sorry ass knicks will get him since they need a young pg.
but i don’t see where ford has a legit gripe to be angry. he hasn’t been shit since he was drafted. he’s actually best known for getting knocked out than anything else
March 6th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Celts Fan says:
“If TJ wants to keep jacking shots like a low budget Allen Iverson, Toronto should just let the fool be unhappy, then let him walk or trade or wtf you gotta do to get rid of him later on. If he wants to bitch about losing pt, he should pass the fucking ball and make some plays instead of jacking up terrible shots with 17 seconds left on the shot clock.”
amen Control
March 6th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
dagwaller says:
Not very professional, to say the least. I wonder if the Raps can get anything for him?
March 6th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Adam says:
Damaged goods.
March 6th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Jim says:
Oh TJ…this pains my burnt orange heart. This reminds me of a story from when he was at UT: Practice was going long, and Barnes has them line up for lines or something, and TJ says, “No, coach, we’ve done enough.” And Barnes called practice. The local media ate it up, and fawned over such a great leader. I remember thinking “what the hell?” and wondering why Texas always under performs.
I don’t know what you can get for him…though we’ve seen recently he can be had for an injury prone, talented PF.
I am going to take a wild guess that 145 lbs of TJ chooses his words carefully around Sam Mitchell.
March 6th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
jaceofspades says:
i didnt really think thoroughly.. but miami could use him. looks like theyre going for a high uptempo kind of game. hopefully they can re-sign shawn marion (or somebody else that can be as effective and athletic as he is - maybe josh smith?). ford wade marion. thats a FAAAAST trio right there. ford may be not as good as jose now, but he can still run and pass right? there u go.
March 6th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
E$ says:
I’d love to see him in his hometown……
March 6th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
I shit bigger than TJ Ford. Calderon is an overall better player and more inportantly a team player as exemplified by Fords recent behavior. He (Ford) hasn’t shown me anything that justifies him thinking he should start over Jose.
March 6th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
andre says:
@ YallAlreadyKnow: yeah, like that’s all we need. another headcase. i think that role’s already filled by randolph and robinson…
March 6th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
daQuEsT?oN says:
this sounds like the point guard situation down at orlando wth arroyo, nelson and dooling. jose calderon is better tj ford should just quit whining shit happens
March 6th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
alex says:
wow, its gotta be the first article where all the comments agree with each other!
Yeah TJ’s too damn overrated man. I’ll never root for the raps (i live in TO) until they get rid of Ford and Bargnani. Both have very very low basketball IQ and are ultimately bad for what the Raps are trying to accomplish (ball movement and good shot selection).
Ford should take his over dribbling, poor jumper, and whiny face in some other city.
March 6th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Myrie says:
Built FORD tough
..then again….perhaps not.
March 6th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Brown says:
HAHAHAHAHAHA, at the beginning of the year I said TJ was worse than Jose, and people called me crazy coming to his defense. He makes 8 mill a season, and I don’t think he’s even worth half that. Dude has no idea how to play basketball. He’s a terrible shooter, yet always looks for his shot. He’s on the best shooting team in the NBA, but doesn’t try to get them the ball.
Colangelo should have had the foresight to trade TJ in the offseason, but now he’ll be lucky to trade him for a bag of nickels.
The Raps can’t afford to have him and Calderon on the same team, so Ford has to go. The problem is, his health concerns have driven his trade value through the floor.
For some reason, I feel villified.
Hey K-Dizzle, what you got to say now? Still think TJ is a great PG and part of the Raptors supposed “core?” I’m curious to know what you think about this.
March 6th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
ben says:
Ford isn’t even CLOSE to the same level as Calderon. It’s obvious watching the Raps play that they are so much better off with Calderon on the court. I’m so sick of watching Ford dribble for 20 seconds, then jack up some BS one on one shot (which usually misses).
At the same time, i hope Ford stays with this team, and accepts his role. The raptors are incredibly dangerous with this point duo.
March 6th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
fallinup says:
Trade TJ. Jose is killing it, he deserves that starting spot. Ford could be some good trade bait. I honestly, would not want to “gasp” and pray to god every time TJ takes a fall.
March 6th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Kyle says:
Even though the Bucks are just as terrible without Ford, good move on their part for getting rid of him. At least Charlie V can shoot and rebound on occassion (32-11 last night).
TJ came into the league with a lot of promise and turned himself into a major flop with the help of some injuries and his itchy trigger finger.
March 6th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Kobeef says:
“Colangelo should have had the foresight to trade TJ in the offseason, but now he’ll be lucky to trade him for a bag of nickels.”
That is all you need to know (thanks Brown).
The raps would love to trade Ford and move-on with Jose as the starting PG…but who is taking that $8mil/year contract with the injuries…and yeah..his trigger happy me first style is frustrating as hell to watch…
March 6th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Kobeef says:
@ Kyle
I had someone argue with me about a week ago that the raps wouldn’t take back the Villnueva for Ford trade….stupid…raps would take back charlie in a heartbeat if they could…and yeah that 32pts 11 rebs was nice last night.
March 6th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
JA says:
If this is true of of two things should happen:
1. Bosh should step up as a leader (he and TJ are boys), and squash this shit, or
2. In the off season, trade TJ to the Knicks for David Lee (Raps need rebounds) and Malik Rose’s large contract to balance.
March 6th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Gareth says:
Here’s another point: Jose didn’t complain one bit when he was backing up TJ. Now that this guy is coming back from injury and playing so-so, why wouldn’t TJ come off the bench? Jose is shooting 50%FG 40% 3 and 90% FT all with a sick assist to turnover ratio. TJ doesn’t have shit to say about that.
March 6th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Brown says:
What’s funny is that when Villanueva found out he got traded to the Bucks for Ford, his reply was “that’s all they got for me?” I thought it was a horrible trade then, and it looks 100 times worse right now. Colangelo gave away Charlie V, who was a fan favourite in Toronto, for a PG who doesn’t know how to play his position or accept his limitations and play within them. I can see him turning into a team cancer real soon.
Is there anyone left who thinks Colangelo made a good trade when he picked up Ford? Anybody? Let me clarify that - anyone who isn’t a delusional Raptors fan? Try justifying this trade now and watch as everyone laughs at you.
March 6th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
2 Easy says:
Im a raptor fan but not delusional. Now I said from the time they drafted Calderon that he could be nice if he developed his shot and he has and surprise surprise he’s nice. Now Ive never thought TJ enjoyed sharing time with Jose even when he was starting because many a time Sam Mitchell would leave Jose in at crunch time because he was playing better. Now I understand being upset about not playin when your playing well but when your still coming back from an injury and not playing as well as another even when your healthy, you’ve got to step away from you ego and think about your team. I saw this coming and I originally liked the trade because of TJ’s quickness and the raps lackin a PG but if I could reverse I dont kno if I would. CV is also quite injury prone in MIL and if TJ can control himself the Raps will be quite dangerous for years to come
March 6th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
K-Dizzle says:
Brown
you must be feelin real good right now but I don’t really know why. So called “fans” of teams who love dissension in the locker room amuse me.I wasn’t celebratin when Kobe was shittin on Bynum. Like the article says.”You don’t get to this level without thinkin you the best”
T.J. has shown that when healthy, he is a positive to the team. This season, when healthy, he’s averagin 12ppg and 6 apg in only 23 minutes a game. Raps still got the best combo at the point position in the l. This just another b.s. story that shoulda never been leaked. TJ did shit the right way, like a man supposed to. He went to management and his coach, voiced his displeasure then went out in his 22 mins and put up 13, 4, 5.He didn’t say shit to the media and I don’t know about y’all but I hate being subbed out for anyone. Ballers wanna play. What the phuck would y’all do? Dude been in the league 4 years, he’s worked on his j to complement his quickness and if he got starter’s minutes, would put up stupid numbers. Unfortunately for him and fortunately for the team, they got two lead guards who can ball so they gotta co-exist. Hopefully TJ learns from Mike James’ situation. It’s not always greener over there.
I agree with the poster who said Bosh will come back and talk to his boy and get everybody back in line. Winnin solves ALL problems. Feel free to break out the laughter, but TJ gon be alright.
KB24 - Still the MVP
March 7th, 2008 at 1:09 am
Brown says:
I like winners, and too often TJ’s play has hurt the team this year. If you’re looking strictly at numbers, Ford’s are misleading. His numbers look good, but so did Mike James’, and everyone knew his style of play was not helping the team win. When a player like that is on my favourite team, I want him to either get his act together, or for the team to get rid of him.
I don’t see the Raptors employing two PGs at $8 million plus per season, of which I think Calderon is worth more money, but if you think about it, look how much J-Kidd and his backup are making together, and who is backing up Nash, Paul and Williams? Ummmm nobody really (James, Pargo, Price, Hart). I agree they do have the best PG tandem in the L, but only when Ford accepts that he’s not the better PG and plays his role and within his limitations. His J has improved, but his playmaking and shot selection hasn’t. Calderon says that the only thing that matters is winning, and his play shows that. I don’t hear Ford saying the same things or showing it in his body language. Too often than not it just looks like he’s out to get his, same as Mike James used to do.
I don’t like the dissention in the locker room one bit, but the Raps are known to have good chemistry in their locker room, so I don’t see it becoming a problem unless TJ makes it one. It’s all on TJ though, and if he doesn’t man up and put his ego to the side for the sake of the team, he’s gonna find himself in the organization’s doghouse, and we know what Colangelo does to those types of players.
If Ford uses his backup role as motivation to play better and to make his teammates better, maybe he would get to finish off some games, but not when he’s taking all the shots, freezing out his teammates and turning the ball over cuz he’s playing out-of-control.
March 7th, 2008 at 1:24 am
Brown says:
2 Easy, they didn’t draft Calderon, they signed him as a FA (the one thing Rob Babcock did right).
I didn’t say the Raps shouldn’t have traded Charlie V, but I think they could have gotten more for him seeing as he was coming off a season where he scored 48 points in one game and finished second in ROY voting. Plus they took a huge risk on an smallish, injury-prone PG, and that’s come back to bite them in the ass. The year they drafted CV3 they drafted Joey Graham, and I thought for sure they would take Jarrett Jack, Bosh’s PG at G-Tech. That would have solved their PG problem but instead they got a swingman who’s basically been useless so far. However, they did draft Ukic in the second round, and hopefully he can come over next season.
You said “if TJ can control himself the Raps will be quite dangerous for years to come.” That’s a big if, but I couldn’t have said it better myself. If TJ can do that, then I have no problems with him. My worry is that he’s not showing a willingness to do so. He needs to listen to the coach and play within himself, and if he’s not willing to do that, he’ll play himself right out of Toronto.
March 7th, 2008 at 6:25 am
Kevin says:
Jumping to conclusions are we? This article spins this story to make it more dramatic and you idiots ate it up. It may be true, but there are no details, exercise some caution before eating this. WoW!
March 7th, 2008 at 7:58 am
Nimit says:
I’m just hoping that whichever one of them gets (you cant deny that Calderon will want out if TJ gets the starting job back, he proved he’s better than Ford and plus hed be great playin for the upper echelon of teams) joins the celtics!!!
Just imagine having Calderon setting up Allen & Pierce for easy buckets. For that matter he could do a good job on other contenders too. The teams that he’d most help in my opinion are Magic & Heat. Magic needs a good point to get over the hump in the east, it gives them more stability and Hedo gets to rest a bit. Not to mention he adds depth.
With the Heat, i think they can be a really interesting team if they get Calderon. With him at the point, Wade & Marion(if he stays) on the wings, plus the possibility of getting Beasley with the 1st pick is really interesting. They’d definately get into Top 5 in the east and if Wade goes off in the Playoff’s anythin is possible. Of course all this will be moot if they end up with the second pick and have to take Rose
March 7th, 2008 at 8:47 am
GEE... 109...Been pulling caperrrrs says:
Jose is inconsistent scoring wise. TJ can give you more buckets. It’s really what you want and look for. Jose is a safer bet because he is smarter. Still TJ can drop 20 - 30 at any given. Meanwhile Jose is 10-20.
March 7th, 2008 at 9:18 am
word says:
fuck it
send his ass to the bulls. Fuck Hinrich, my 2 year old niece a better pg than him.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:53 am
fkllllllh says:
fuck you fuck you mouna i love you fuck you and suck my dick
March 17th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
bluud says:
tj ford is a mental midget…i never seen a more selfish,crybaby bitch my entire life.against orlando he went 7 minutes without passing the ball,he went 1 on 5 and lost us the game…hes a loser….FOR REAL 7 MINUTES WITHOUT PASSING THE BALL AND GOING 1 ON 5,ME J GOT HIS….hows that for bein a pg and team player.