<div class="quote_poster">rafy Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think you have to ask yourself, "Why does T.J. over dribble?". Because the Raptors probably have the worst offensive set in the league. We really don't have plays per se, and the ones we do have are run in high schools. Lets say T.J. is at the top of the key. Where is everyone? Standing around. You don't see screens being set away from the ball, only on the ball. No one is cutting. You can't blame him for his over dribbling, because it's just an incompetent system. To my knowledge, he didn't do this nearly as much with the bucks, and they had a crappy system too. It seems like you're blaming T.J. for everything bad that happens in a game. And you're just ignoring the conditions in which he is playing with. I'm going to be laughing so hard in a few years. Also, for you complain about him shooting, and making up his mind going up the court. Smitch is telling T.J. to take those shots. So ffs stop making him a scapegoat.</div> If its such an incompetent system then how come we have so many wins? Why do they all stand around with TJ when they're all scoring equally when Jose is playing? How come the offence looks so amazing and is so effective when Jose's out? Why would you blame all the other raptors for their offensive sets when you see TJ looking for himself only for most of the game? Why do you think they tend to stand around when TJ has the ball? They just cant be bothered to move around if TJ doesnt look for them. Don't blame Sam Mitchell for TJ. Sam Mitchell doesn't tell Jose to keep taking shots and Jose is even a better shooter than TJ. Doesnt even matter, Jose will come back, the Raps will play good again, then everyone will have to find a way to pick up the slack for TJ again like an endless cycle. Then TJ will get much of the credit while Jose gets none as usual. And some will defend TJ since people hate strong opinions cast out by others. Incompetent system? I fail to see how the division leading raps have an incompetent system.. perhaps an incompetent player yes, but don't blame the system.
If you noticed when I posted this tread, it was right after his 18 pts (?) and 18 assist night against the knicks. I was at the game and I thought he played terrible basketball and the boxscore didn't show that. How can I be making him the scapegoat after a win? I've hated him all year, when they win or lose. TJ SUCKS.
Here is a simple advice for TJ.. Get as many of Steve Nash's tapes and study them on how not to overdribble, less shooting, and pass first.
<div class="quote_poster">intrepid1983 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> Doesnt even matter, Jose will come back, the Raps will play good again, then everyone will have to find a way to pick up the slack for TJ again like an endless cycle. Then TJ will get much of the credit while Jose gets none as usual. And some will defend TJ since people hate strong opinions cast out by others.</div> I can agree with you that having Calderon back is a good thing, but I wonder if he has anything left in the tank. Last season Calderon came out on fire but slowed down after abou 15 games and just looked burnt out. This year he's looked great up until after the All-star break, so i'm wondering if he's fatiqued again <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Incompetent system? I fail to see how the division leading raps have an incompetent system.. perhaps an incompetent player yes, but don't blame the system.</div> Ok .. first we play in the atlantic division, so calling us division leaders is like a tallest midget scenario. As for the system, you're looking at pretty much a carbon copy of the offense we had last year, even though we completely changed our roster except for CB4 and a guy at the end of the bench called mopete. The difference is we have a better team than we did last season. For a while the raptors operated under the radar, teams didn't know who to scout and how to cover them. Think about it, we had so many new players in a new system (to them, not us) that scouts didn't know how to get a read on what we do. To make things even more confusing for them we changed offenses 10 games into the season. But lately, it's pretty obvious that other teams have a good read on what we do. Our response to that has been to do the exact same thing. The same response we had last year, which failed. Every game now teams throw the following at us: 1) double bosh 2) turn TJ into a shooter 3) stand out by the shooters who are on the perimeter. Nobody moves off the ball, the guard is forced to peddle around and try and make something happen. TJ Ford shouldn't be let off the hook for everything but Mitchell isn't helping our cause right now.
That's pretty much it. It's like, do you blame Bosh for not scoring/rebounding as much and turning the ball over more when he's getting double teamed every play? Sure you can expect him to adjust, but ultimately you got to fault the coach who sees this happen for the past month and still calls an iso on every single play.
This has really just become the general complaining thread for our recent woes. We're all just angry because our ball movement has become crap. Even when Ford dropped 18 assists on Wednesday the offense was not operating like it used to. It was very one pass, one shot. The ball movement this year has made this team fun to watch and it was a great change from the average approach a lot of NBA teams take which is throw the ball to the franchise player and have him force up 25 shots a game. TJ Ford becomes the first obvious target for criticism because he's the pg but there are plenty of other problems. I'm about 5 minutes from starting the incredibly crappy Juan Dixon thread: part II with all the forced shots and the way he stagnates our ball movement.
Ford's young. Nash is a veteran. Put Ford after 8 years of NBA expereince in Nash's postition today. I am certain Ford would be succesful, BUT not as succesful as Nash. Nash has a knack for finding the most open guy, and hitting these serious prayer layups. Ford doesn't have that knack, or just doesn't have it yet. I LOVED TJ Ford in High School and College, but I don't think he has really hit his stride yet in the NBA. I also keep in mind the NBA isn't for everybody, so I half expect TJ to just run aorund the NBA with his speed until it is gone.
Ford at times has been turnover-prone, but when you have a point guard, you live and die by him. The guys who have the balls in their hands most of the time will come across patches where they have high turnover numbers. You've just got to suck it in and stick with him. In the end, I'm sure that Ford will come out fine and have many more good nights than bad. And also, at least Ford doesn't leave his assistant coaches hanging. Invalid Video Link
Guys lets me tell you something and it's a fact, don't let stats fool you on TJ. His basketball IQ is very low. Do you guys remembered when he compared himself to Iverson. I hope he's not playing like Iverson now because his team does not need TJ taking almost every shot down the stretch of the game. Our team is built from the contributions of others and not just one person. I don't know if you guys notice, but don't you see that when Calderon enters a game, that we normally take a lead by about 18 points in general, and then when TJ comes in, we trade point for point. TJ does not know how to lead an offense. It's better if they move him to a number 2 position. The guy is practicing himself to get better and skip this city in a couple of years.
<div class="quote_poster">intrepid1983 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">If its such an incompetent system then how come we have so many wins? Why do they all stand around with TJ when they're all scoring equally when Jose is playing? How come the offence looks so amazing and is so effective when Jose's out? Why would you blame all the other raptors for their offensive sets when you see TJ looking for himself only for most of the game? Why do you think they tend to stand around when TJ has the ball? They just cant be bothered to move around if TJ doesnt look for them. Don't blame Sam Mitchell for TJ. Sam Mitchell doesn't tell Jose to keep taking shots and Jose is even a better shooter than TJ.</div> When Jose goes in, the lineup on the floor is different. You can visibly see how much better the floor is spaced. When T.J. is people are just waiting for him to his move. When people are ACTUALLY cutting, T.J. has made some spectacular paces. He's an excellent passer, it's just the guys need to learn how to play off of him. You're serious stretching the truth with your "Jose = a fluid offense". Yes, Jose does run the system a lot better. Let's not forget he has had 2 years under Smitch. He wasn't doing nearly as much as he's doing now this time last year. Lets also not forget that Jose is a full 2 years older than T.J., keeping in mind that T.J. missed a full year of basketball with the Bucks. As far as Jose is a better shooter, you're right. But if you actually were watching the Raptors last year, his shot was atrocious. And he's not looking for himself. He's looking for people all the time, but mostly he's forced to pass it off to Bosh 15 feet out, or a man on the perimeter. It's simply a matter of people not playing basketball right. He's had a lot to deal with you. How can you bag on him so hard, like he's destined to be a 2nd or 3rd stringer. You're pretty much the only person ever to defend Smitch's offensive schemes, so all I can do is laugh. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Doesnt even matter, Jose will come back, the Raps will play good again, then everyone will have to find a way to pick up the slack for TJ again like an endless cycle. Then TJ will get much of the credit while Jose gets none as usual. And some will defend TJ since people hate strong opinions cast out by others. Incompetent system? I fail to see how the division leading raps have an incompetent system.. perhaps an incompetent player yes, but don't blame the system.</div>
<div class="quote_poster">rafy Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">When Jose goes in, the lineup on the floor is different. You can visibly see how much better the floor is spaced. When T.J. is people are just waiting for him to his move. When people are ACTUALLY cutting, T.J. has made some spectacular paces. He's an excellent passer, it's just the guys need to learn how to play off of him. You're pretty much the only person ever to defend Smitch's offensive schemes, so all I can do is laugh. </div> I think if I was playing with TJ as point guard i'd stand around and watch as well since he's so damn selfish with the ball. I wouldn't even bother moving around since once he gets a shot, he tends to start shooting only for himself without noticing anyone else on the court. When people are cutting T.J makes some nice passes. It only seems nice to you cuz he rarely ever does it. It's like you rarely ever see a greedy person give something for free, so it has a greater effect on you rather than a person who's always selfless.
Dude, you really need to pay closer attention to the players who don't have the ball tonight. Watch how our offense unfolds and how Ford's teammates position themselves on the floor. If he didn't move like you said, the Raps would be swinging the ball around the perimeter, passing it to a double-teamed Bosh, and then swinging out again for the entire game. There wouldn't be open shots. You may not want to admit it, but without TJ penetrating we would struggle to score 80 points a game. And as much as you bag on TJ for dominating the ball and dribbling a lot, you should realize that Jose Calderon does the exact same thing (and so does Nash for people who keep making that comparison). The difference is that his experience and higher B-ball IQ allow him to make less mistakes. It's essentially a case of Jose making more of a crappy situation. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting intrepid1983:</div><div class="quote_post">It only seems nice to you cuz he rarely ever does it. It's like you rarely ever see a greedy person give something for free, so it has a greater effect on you rather than a person who's always selfless.</div> How can you blame TJ Ford for the fact that his teammates don't cut to the basket or move off the ball?
<div class="quote_poster">intrepid1983 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think if I was playing with TJ as point guard i'd stand around and watch as well since he's so damn selfish with the ball. I wouldn't even bother moving around since once he gets a shot, he tends to start shooting only for himself without noticing anyone else on the court. When people are cutting T.J makes some nice passes. It only seems nice to you cuz he rarely ever does it. It's like you rarely ever see a greedy person give something for free, so it has a greater effect on you rather than a person who's always selfless.</div> I guess we should agree to disagree. Because it's clear we must be watching two different players.
Well for those of you who say TJ and Bosh have no chemistry, take tonights game against the Magic as an example. Today they complimented eachother perfectly. TJ gave Bosh the ball a LOT, and he often broke down the defense and dished it last second to Bosh for an easy 2.
Think of how silly people would have looked if they made their mind up about Steve Nash the way you have about Ford. This is really just TJ's 2nd year in the league...pretty impressive for a guy who's still improving. Have some patience
I don't know how ppl can call TJ selfish after tonights game against the Magic. He was making some brilliant passes and kept feeding Bosh the ball in the post. But I'm sure the haters will just focus on his questionable shots instead and forget about everything else.
<div class="quote_poster">Iggy Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Well for those of you who say TJ and Bosh have no chemistry, take tonights game against the Magic as an example. Today they complimented eachother perfectly. TJ gave Bosh the ball a LOT, and he often broke down the defense and dished it last second to Bosh for an easy 2.</div> <div class="quote_poster">norespect Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I'm 100% sure that I won't be regretting my remarks anytime soon. TJ and bosh have chemistry???? Are you nuts? They are buddies, but TJ does not compliment bosh as a player at all..</div> I just hope my faith in T.J. continues to payoff like it did last night. The little guy made me proud.
<div class="quote_poster">norespect Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">If you noticed when I posted this tread, it was right after his 18 pts (?) and 18 assist night against the knicks. I was at the game and I thought he played terrible basketball and the boxscore didn't show that. How can I be making him the scapegoat after a win? I've hated him all year, when they win or lose. TJ SUCKS.</div> That's an opinion...and a debatable one at that. TJ has been the guy running our offense primarily, and has single handedly won games for us. Judging his numbers, and our record, how can you say "he sucks"? You may not like his game...and it's evident that you don't...but the numbers dont lie...and they show that TJ has done a decent job for us this season. Has he made some bad descisions, and forced things at times? Sure...name me a player in the league that plays perfect every night. If TJ continues to improve the same way he has been, we're in for a special point guard.
<div class="quote_poster">Premium Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">That's an opinion...and a debatable one at that. TJ has been the guy running our offense primarily, and has single handedly won games for us. Judging his numbers, and our record, how can you say "he sucks"? You may not like his game...and it's evident that you don't...but the numbers dont lie...and they show that TJ has done a decent job for us this season. Has he made some bad descisions, and forced things at times? Sure...name me a player in the league that plays perfect every night. If TJ continues to improve the same way he has been, we're in for a special point guard.</div> When the Raps were on a roll right before the ASG, and even at the begining of the season, it can be argued that Calderone was the better PG. He was giving us a major lift, and most of the Raptors big runs would come when he was on the floor, and we would get a little stagnent when TJ ran the floor. Decent and Special are very different, and if you wanna call TJ decent, I can live with that opinion, but him becomeing special is a big uncertainty. Most of what I don't like you guys attribute to Sam, so i guess i'll never know for sure unless we get a new coach.
TJ Ford is showing why some people were calling him one of the top 5 point guards in the league a couple of years back.
