This about TJ Ford's road to recovery and how he got injured in the first place which some of you already know. Its 5 pages long so be ready to read. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">HOUSTON -- Texas coach Rick Barnes muses about T.J. Ford's game this way: He sees things unlike any other player he has ever been around. Watch him on tape and you'll still be amazed by his artistry, quickness and court vision. The Ford that Barnes holds in such high esteem was the national college basketball player of the year in 2003. He led Texas to its first Final Four since 1947. He was the No. 8 pick in the 2003 NBA draft. He debuted for the Milwaukee Bucks with a near triple-double: 11 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists against Indiana on Halloween. But look at Ford now: still listed at 6-foot, but working back up to 165 pounds after losing 15-20 pounds following spinal fusion surgery in May 2004. His rookie season was cut short, ending on Feb. 24, 2004, when he fell in a game against Minnesota. Because of surgery and the severity of the injury, he hasn't played since. Here in his native Houston, he spends most of his time trying to come back from a potentially career-ending condition. He was cleared for contact on June 27, but the road to a full recovery, to return as the same player (or even better) is still far from complete. "There were times I cried, man, I cried," Ford said. "I couldn't honestly sit here and tell you that every day I knew I would play again. Not knowing if I would ever play again was always in the back of my mind. But I had the right people around me -- my family, my brothers, my relatives, friends. Right there with me, giving me the confidence that I will be all right."</div>
really good read man. you gotta respect a guy like tj cuz hes had so much to go through just to start off his career and hes had to work so hard just to get back to the court. i cant wait to see him in uniform again this year. he is a true baller cuz of his work ethic and its just gonna be awesome to see him play again.
