Claw Prints: Ford-A-Palooza
The “T.J. Ford Controversy” has been quiet recently thanks to a series of wins by our favourite basketball team. With a convincing win against Detroit and an easier schedule down the stretch, can the Raptors find that elusive identity they’ve been looking for? Kinnon Yee takes a look at the past week.
Bringing Back Jack Armstrong
The debate rages on between who should start and who comes off the bench. No, it’s not about the Raptors’ point guard situation, but instead about the Raptors’ game crew. With no more NBA games on Sportsnet after this season, we could see Armstrong being brought off the bench to do Raptors TV broadcasts only, as well as pre- and post-game analysis.
It’s important to note that Leo Rautins has done a very good job keeping things amicable and enjoyable and is also always willing to educate those that have questions. With his recent move to create a blog with Basketball Canada, he’s even stepping into the web arena by giving his own analysis on varying subjects.
That being said, Armstrong often gives a blunt analysis and calm demeanor that just can’t be matched with Rautins at times. Both do a great job keeping Chuck Swirsky from going too far, but while Rautins has a tendency to play devil’s advocate and push Swirsky over the edge at times, Armstrong has always been a cool cucumber in various difficult situations such as Jose Calderon’s back injury last year and T.J. Ford’s Atlanta scare.
It’d be a shame to waste such a great analytical mind and personality on just pre- and post- production.
Weighing In
It wasn’t a wise move to go and analyze the Ford-Calderon switch after just one game. After letting things simmer for a week, there are some significant ripple effects. The first is the perception of Ford as a player has largely changed. It might not be a concern to Ford as he’s great at blocking out distractions, but to the Raptors’ faithful, it may very well be the beginning of Ford wearing out his welcome.
In recent years, Rafer Alston was basically hammered for being unable to get along with others and played selfishly to get his way. Mike James, who after two months of being “the man,” suddenly became “the focus” as fans could no longer stomach his “me-first” attitude thanks in part to mounting criticism leveled against him by the media.
Does the current Ford “situation” have legs?
Probably not, but one thing is for sure — his play on the floor made it look like it mattered that he start. Michael Grange wrote about the optics of the situation and Doug Smith talked about how his own perceptions have changed regarding the number one option at the number one spot. Raptors fans are a finicky bunch and having Jose Calderon step up on a bad situation definitely made Calderon’s stock rise in the eyes of many.
Whether Ford’s stock has taken a significant hit is another story that has yet to be finished.
Nonetheless, Productive
In spite of whatever controversy there is, one thing can be said about having T.J. Ford in the starting line up: The ball gets to other people’s hands. A lot of people might wonder why this is the case, but the fact of the matter is it has a lot to do with Chris Bosh.
For example, in half-court sets, Ford’s number one objective is to get the ball to Chris Bosh. Once it is in Bosh’s hands, it’s up to everyone else to get open. Thus, it’s easier for Ford to make a decision because in the event off a double team, he gets the ball back from Bosh, which means he can drive and draw more defenders or make the quick pass that leads to a swing around the arc for an easy bucket. Otherwise, Bosh will be making a shot or driving to the cup, which means that Ford gets an assist.
This is not a knock on Ford necessarily, but goes to explain why he needs to be a starter on the team. He is used to facilitating a first option and is confident in himself as a secondary option. However, off the bench, he is often seen as the only option which causes him to initiate too much of the offense on his own.
Other than that, it’s hard to complain about his low assist-to-turnover ratio, or his jump shooting efficiency, both of which have been all-star caliber.
No Good
Wow. Anyone who doubts Sam Mitchell’s X’s and O’s should take a look at that ending play of the Atlanta game. Regardless of the clock starting early and that Ford maybe could have beaten the erroneous clock had he used glass, the play was unexpected and yet a great usage of the surprising athleticism of the Raptors’ smallest player.
We’ve seen T.J. Ford dunk over the years, but quite often, people forget about his hops and in this case, the coaching staff used it to perfection. With picks and some hard cuts, Ford managed to get in the air and Carlos Delfino met him with a pin-point pass.
Shame it didn’t count.
Mo’ Love
I was asked earlier this week about my thoughts on Morris Peterson’s departure and if the Raptors had made a huge mistake in not bringing him back.
My answer? Possibly.
The Raptors would have had another starter to throw into the mix, which is better than what the Raptors are currently doing with his replacement, Jason Kapono. Kapono continues to get few minutes and has not had an opportunity to reach his career averages in points or playing time. Peterson would also probably be slightly better than Jamario Moon at defending his man, although you would sacrifice spectacular blocks for tenacious defense.
But just going by stats alone, unless you are willing to accept a Peterson who is currently having worse averages than even last year, people should think long and hard about whether Morris Peterson’s departure was all that questionable. With an increase in playing time, Peterson is still averaging a lower percentage from the field, lower rebounding numbers and a lower overall point average. This year’s Peterson is not doing much better than the last and is certainly not back to the form from a couple years ago.
Besides, it’s easy to forget that Peterson is 30 years old, and not getting any younger.
Comments
By Johnn19 on April 4th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Although TJ has played better in the last few games starting @ PG he reverted to the same old MeJ vs the Hawks in the last 2 mins and the OT, by taking over and not using his teamates enough. Highlighted by the most bonehead play of the year in leaving Bibby all by himself for an inbounds pass and key 3pts.
By Johnn19 on April 4th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Raptors in general made more bonehead collective plays in the 4th qtr in the Hawks game than I can remember. The only hope is that they used them up in that game.
1. Delfino - Off rebound @ 11 secs - started dribbling lost ball
2. Gave up 2 off rebounds on missed 3pts @ 11secs
3. Moon lost key rebound out of bounds @ 4 secs
4. TJ lost Bibby a PG the only player at 5′10 he could guard @ 4 secs
Thats just in the last 11 seconds !!!
Not to mention the terrible defense, shot selection, and not using the fact Hawks were in the bonus for the last 7 mins with no FT’s. I still can’t believe the total stupidity of their play.
By Kinnon Yee on April 4th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Johnn19 - Yeah. But rather than rehash what I’ve been saying last week, I figure we should do another look on things. i want to complain about that hawks game, but it’s one of many against sub .500 teams that have left bad tastes in everyone’s mouth. Honestly, I don’t understand why Kapono doesn’t get more burn at this point as his defense hasn’t been any worse than Delfino’s at times this year.
By Jeff W on April 4th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
This just occurred to me: With Sportsnet bowing out and Jack Armstrong free(r), is Eric Smith feeling the heat as the Raptors’ radio analyst? I mean, E-Smith already has, like, five jobs.
By khandor on April 4th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
The main problem with Ford as a mainframe PG for a quality team in the NBA is something which he has zero control over.
As he continues to mature he can effectively address:
- his erratic decison-making with the ball (i.e. when to pass or shoot)
- his inconsistent 3-pt shooting
- his poor body language/facial expressions/periodic demeanor
What he cannot address however is his overall lack of physical size … which makes him a target for attack when his team has to contend with a Top Tier opponent that has as its mainframe PG a player who does not come with this specific vulnerability … which prevents ALL point guards like TJ Ford (not just him) from fulfilling this role with a truly championship calibre team in the NBA.
Whether or not Mr. Ford likes (and can ever accept) this reality … is completely irrelevant.
By Kinnon Yee on April 4th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Jeff W - I don’t see Jack taking a step back. Unless Eric needs a leave of absence to be with his wife, I don’t think he has the heat, and if anything, Jack has more of the heat as I believe some might seem him as being old and no longer relevant just like Norma Wick was last year. Eric’s so connected to everything that I just don’t see him leaving.
Khandor - I don’t believe his size is as important as long as he keeps up his strength conditioning. We’ve seen a major difference in his body within this past year, and while he didn’t keep up exercises to protect his neck, his body mass seemed much more toned this year and he could handle a guy like Jason Kidd earlier in the season
And I believe mentally, it’s where his greatest weakness is.
By khandor on April 4th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Kinnon,
Fact is … Good size at the PG position is one of the fundamental and most over-looked aspects of the championship teams in the history of this League:
Take a look at this list and tell me the last starting PG for a championship team who was as small as TJ Ford (5-11/6-0, 165)?
http://www.nba.com/history/finals/champions.html
As a recent point of comparison, even Laker’s PG, Derek Fisher (6-1, 185) is substantially bigger than TJ Ford.
Most (average) basketball fans or (make believe) NBA experts don’t really have a clue when it comes to understanding what it takes for a team to be able to win an NBA championship.
By Kinnon Yee on April 4th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Khandor - I don’t know if your theory holds water. The first point I’d like to make is that there aren’t that many players at Ford’s size in the league. And it’s been that way since perhaps the dawn of basketball. If you point out the fact that there haven’t been any small point guards on championship teams, I have to ask too just how many gifted seven foot big men who can shoot and are athletic have made it to the finals too? I’m not smart enough to say it definitively one way or another for that reason alone. It’s just a matter of not having a good sample.
I understand part of the argument though that an opposing guard can look over Ford to get to his man, but I also believe that Ford is well suited to pester his man on the dribble, as he’s very good usually at hounding his man. The knock used to be that a bigger guard could back him down, but I don’t believe that’s the case anymore, or at least I haven’t seen evidence of that this year thanks to his new muscle.
Now, I’m not saying that Ford is the guy to lead us to a championship, as I’m an ardent Calderon supporter since his first year as a Raptor (way before most fans and expects even began to talk about his game) as many people know. However, I also don’t believe that size is Ford’s largest issue at the moment, and definitely not what is holding this team back from beating teams like Charlotte or Atlanta.
By khandor on April 6th, 2008 at 12:08 am
Whether they can beat teams like Charlotte or Atlanta is irrelevant.
The best teams in the NBA are the ones that the Raptors will have to get past in order to win a championship down-the-road … and, right now, these teams are:
Boston, Detroit, San Antonio, LA Lakers, New Orleans, Dallas, Utah, Houston (with Yao Ming), Phoenix, Golden State, Denver, Philadelphi, Cleveland, Orlando and Washington.
How many of the mainframe PG’s on those teams are under 6-1 and weigh less than 185 lbs?
————————————————————————
re: The first point I’d like to make is that there aren’t that many players at Ford’s size in the league.
And why do you think this is the case, in the first place?
[Hint: Cause good NBA coaches know just how much of a disadvantage it is to have a small PG as your main guy in this League.]
————————————————————————
Being backed down into the Low Post, on an isolation play … is not the biggest challenge a small PG has to cope with in the NBA … not by a long shot:
i) Following any defensive ’switch’ situation … Boxing Out a 2/3/4 or 5;
ii) Having an opponent Pass ‘over & around’ you, repeatedly;
iii) Having an opponent Shoot ‘over’ you at-will;
iv) Having an opponet abuse you in Pick & Roll/Pop situations;
v) Having little to no effect whatsoever in any type of cover down situation in the Low Post vs a Big.who needs to be double-teamed defensively.
————————————————————————
In the final quarter of a close against a top notch opponent … is when most games are won or lost … and it is specifically in situations like these that good NBA coaches and high calibre PG’s exploit the mis-match advantage their team has vs an opponent’s small player at this critical position.
By Kinnon Yee on April 6th, 2008 at 3:33 am
Khandor - But once again, you ask about how many of those point guards are under 6′1″ and I have to point out that while there aren’t any, there are few in the league overall. You say it has to do with how coaches feel, but where’s your evidence? It’s mostly conjecture on your part. Shouldn’t the biggest concern be about which teams have better point guards than the Raptors, and not to just focus on the one area of height? Are you saying that Ford’s difficulties, problems, and results are all due to his lack of stature? How is a steal by Earl Boykins, a guard shorter than Ford, due to Ford’s height? Doesn’t Ford provide some better abilities in other areas that make up for his height “inadequacy”? You’re free to believe what you will, but I don’t believe that many on the Raptors squad or other squads that have had short point guards such as Muggsy Bogues would agree with you.
Going by your chart, switches will give a miss match regardless if your point guard is Ford, or Deron WIlliams. The second point, while valid, doesn’t take into account the fact that Ford is very strong in steals, leading the Raptors last year. Yes, you sacrifice one part, but you gain another, which is basically a wash. Shooting over Ford is largely a problem, but at the same time, driving against Calderon is also a problem. Both need work in this area of their defense. But we’ve hardly seen any point guards shoot consistently over Ford without abusing others like Calderon as well (meaning that they just had a hot night). And finally, double teaming a big from the point guard position is always going to be difficult. However, the highest probability of success from the point guard position is going to come when they go for a steal; especially when he attempts to put the ball on the floor to drive. This is something that Ford is fairly good at (back to the steals stat from last year).
What are Ford’s insufficiencies so far? Over confidence in his own shot, a lack of initiating passes to his teammates, a tendency to dribble deep into the lanes and pick up his dribble while jumping. How many of these have to do with his height? The only one I can think of is on his dribble drives where he has a tendency to get surrounded by bigs, height could enable him some possibilities to see over opponents. I guess that’s why a PG like Chauncey Billups is well coveted. But are you telling me that if Orlando offered you Jameer Nelson for TJ Ford, you’d jump at the chance just to get a taller point guard? Well, that’s fine, but I don’t believe the Raptors see eye to eye with you in this area, and I certainly do not.
Oh, one final comment. If you want to talk about a point guard that has done great in highly intensive contested situations, Ford has had plenty of situations to show his stuff. The Clippers and Trailblazers games from last year are two, and the Atlanta “almost” bucket being another. In all situations, Ford’s “size disadvantage” did not play a factor.
By ANthony RapFan on April 6th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
KY,
PG Defense, that’s all I gotta say!!! TJ’s Defense is only good when he wants to stay in front of ppl. I mean I think Darrell Armstrong is old as a mummy, but he can defend way better than TJ at this moment.
I dunno what to say otherwise now, but besides TJ’s boneheaded play as of late, my beef has always been his body language day in and day out. I feel I don’t see him making the “Jose Antlers” when he is sitting on the bench. I never see him be part of the crowd when a timeout is called and “try” to be the first one high fiving. His mates… Just my own observations..correct me if I am wrong please.
I also feel that BC should of used all the Kapono Money to reel in Verajao!!!!!!!
Yours and my theory of this season becoming the one ugly mutha@&^ of a season is pinpointedly correct, but it wasn’t this terrible!!!! Hope BC keeps it simple, just draft an aggressive driving , non-spinal injury, non European, wingplayer from the NCAA for once.
By Kinnon Yee on April 6th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Anthony - We’ll see. I think next year will be extremely important, and I’ve wrote an article that will go live sometime this week about why this year is a bit of a wash and that next year is almost a supremely critical time as we’ve seen in the Raptors recent history.
And yes, I’ve noticed that too, but Ford’s never been one to do the “antlers” sign ever. It’s a bit different too, since Calderon is a big cheerleader who goes out of his way to get his teammates drinks at half time for crying out loud. I believe Ford has to keep a better cool head in most situations, and he also needs to get back into the team after his stock has taken a huge nose dive in the past month. I’m not sure he can gain it back by next year. Oh yeah, I know a lot of people believe that Ford is protected by Bosh, but honestly, I’ve never seen those two guys as being particularly close. It’s something I’ve noticed the media say a lot, but it’s just not something I’ve seen them do in their spare time much.
Oh, and I also don’t think Calderon’s defense is there either. I’ve seen him allow a point guard blow by him way too many times this year, rather than try and make the guard shoot over him.
By khandor on April 7th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Kinnon,
What’s apparent to me … is that you do not think or understand the NBA game like an NBA coach does.
Proof? Evidence?
As the wise old people use to say,
“The proof of the pudding is in the eating.”
If there have been NO (as in ZERO) small PG’s (who shoot 1st & pass 2nd) lead there team to an NBA championship … ever … ever … ever … then, that, Sir, is all the PROOF/EVIDENCE you (should) need … LOL, LOL, LOL
Getting shot over ‘consistently’ by taller players… getting abused on Low Post iso’s ‘consistently’ by bigger players … getting passed over ‘consistently’ by Bigs, coming out of the Low Post double-team … getting rebounded over ‘consistently’ by taller, stronger players … etc., etc., etc., … is irrelevant when it comes to Winning and Losing specific games vs a high quality opponent.
What matters vs a high quality opponent, in a specific game … is what happens on a specific possession … i.e. THE most important POSSESSION(s) in a game, when the outcome is being decided, one way or the other, for the final time … “consistency” throughout a game or an entire season be damned.
THIS IS HOW AN NBA HEAD COACH thinks … and it isn’t conjecture.
You need to listen to what NBA head coaches have to say after a specific game vs a high quality opponent … when they explain to you in detail what just happened during the HANDFUL of KEY possessions that decided the outcome of that specific game.
Sorry to say, but … most so-called NBA experts … don’t have a clue when it comes to understanding HOW the game is actually played at this level of competition.
By Kinnon Yee on April 7th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Khandor - If that’s the case, George Karl would not have said that TJ Ford reminds him of Steve Nash earlier this year. Thanks for your opinions.
By khandor on April 7th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
If what’s the case?
TJ Ford’s lack of height & weight at the PG position has nothing to do with Steve Nash’s solid height & size as an elite level NBA PG … and George Karl’s opinion about what these two players’ individual strengths might be.
By Kinnon Yee on April 7th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Khandor - When it comes to your talk about what NBA coaches feel, and believe. If George Karl believes that Ford can be at the same elite level as a player like Nash, I have to believe that there’s more than just George Karl and Sam Mitchell who feel this way about TJ Ford. I’m not saying all small players are built the same, but it goes directly to sinking your argument about what you feel to be the perception of all coaches in the league and the way you have attacked the credibility of all of us “so-called” experts.
By khandor on April 8th, 2008 at 12:22 am
Kinnon,
Except that … if George Karl happens to feel that TJ Ford can be as “effective” as Steve Nash offensively … this has NO BEARING whatsoever on whether or not TJ Ford suffers from the inadequacies I described above, as a miniture PG, which have to do primarily with different aspects of Defense & Rebounding.
There has been no ’sinking’ here of any observations made by me.
By Kinnon Yee on April 8th, 2008 at 1:48 am
Khandor - George Karl never qualified his answer in those terms. If that’s how you choose to read those comments, by all means, do so. Going by last year’s stats, Ford was seventh on the team in rebounding, just behind Mo Pete. 3.2 rebounds per game is nothing to shake at. And we’ll just have to agree to disagree on defense, since we have different ideas as to how and what Ford brings to the table, which is just different from most others. You’re the one who said all coaches think the same, and “isn’t conjecture”. Obviously, that’s not the case.
By khandor on April 8th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Kinnon,
Then … Go ahead and ask George Karl yourself if what I said is how he thinks about TJ Ford and Steve Nash is NOT restricted to the Offensive side of the Game, exclusively?
Conjecture?
Go ahead and prove me wrong.
You’re in the media, right?
Hoops Addict does interviews with NBA people, right?
Just go ahead and ask George Karl if he doesn’t agree with me that TJ Ford’s lack of size absolutely kills him as a possible starting PG on an elite level team in the NBA with a legit chance to ever win the championship.
(and while you’re at it … go ahead and ask other NBA analysts like Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, Charley Rosen, Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy, as well … plus, any other coach in the NBA today)
Average Rebounds per game mean nothing … in comparison to an individual player’s ability to simply go and get the ball on THE possession which decides the outcome of a playoff game against a top quality opponent with a top notch PG.
By Anthony RapFan on April 8th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
khandor,
WTF!!! GET OVER IT!!
Dude, its all about the mental makeup of the who the player is and what physical gifts are given to him. We knew the risks for the Raps of getting Ford form the beginning and he is still a great player, but now what is plaguing him very recently are his mental makeup and now his mental slip ups are eating up his fundamentals as well. We are being rough on him, but he has any game remaining this season that he can choose to CONSISTENTLY win us over with smarter play.
I guess we can call it life, because bad and good things in life are all run through by random TIMING and OPPORTUNITIES. Anything can happen, but one thing that one person can only control is ATTITUDE and Confidence.
By khandor on April 9th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Anthony RapFan,
There is nothing for me to get over.
When a team wins the NBA championship with a Mainframe PG that is under 6-0 tall AND weighs less than 180 lbs … then my point will be sunk.
Til then … no one should waste their energy (or their team’s bankroll) trying to suggest that a PG of that size - with those defensive & rebounding liabilities outlined above - is capable of turning this specific trick … because the facts, as we know them DO NOT support that position..