<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Toronto Raptors coach Sam Mitchell said he will not hesitate to put T.J. Ford on the bench, behind Jose Calderon, if he feels it is the right move for the team. "If I come to that conclusion and I sit down with T.J., I think T.J. will understand," Mitchell said at practice Tuesday. "You got to have stability with that group. And the thing is getting continuity. "I will not screw up one group to try to get somebody going, and then you got two groups screwed up. At least keep the constant that you got, and then you try to work on the other group and get them going as you go." -- National Post</div>
I'm fine with Ford off the bench. What we lack right now, is a solid bench point guard. That guy used to be Jose Calderon, but with him starting, we lost that. With Ford coming off the bench, he will be able to get guys like Kapono, Bargnani and Delfino going. We shouldn't forget that Ford can start in this league, so having him off the bench is a huge advantage.
Wow... progress. I never thought Sam would concede this. Even in his weekly interview on the FAN's morning show, he absolutely refused to discuss Jose Calderon in comparison to TJ Ford. But it looks like he's finally understanding that both players should be legitimately competing for time. The funny thing is that this.... <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>"I will not screw up one group to try to get somebody going, and then you got two groups screwed up. At least keep the constant that you got, and then you try to work on the other group and get them going as you go."</div> ... kind of runs counter to how the Raps are handling the Bargnani situation. I don't have any problems with it, because they need to develop Andrea in the starting lineup, but its interesting nonetheless.
TJ is still a while away from game action so Sam doesn't need to make this top priority right now - at least he shouldn't.
Why not bring him off the bench, Kapono stated he works better with Ford and since Delfino and Kapono work pretty well together, bring him off the bench. Jose already has chemistry in the starting lineup now, with Bosh, Moon and Parker. Plus Ford can score, bringing him off the bench can scare teams alot as well.
I mean, how is this even a question? Jose is playing better now than TJ ever has. It's not just stats, but they tell a compelling story. Quick, name another guard shooting 50/40/90 with over 8 assists and less than two turnovers!
I was hoping they would do this once TJ Ford comes back, have him play off of the bench first. Maybe being the 6th man can be Ford's staple, it could possibly give Ford a little bit more freedom on offense by not having to always look to get to ball to Bosh. Anyways does anyone have a set date for Ford's possible return? The sooner the better because I cant watch Martin or Dixon control the point, Dixon is effective only when he doesnt have to handle the ball he is definitley a SG and Martin is just garbage.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (speeds @ Jan 23 2008, 04:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I mean, how is this even a question? Jose is playing better now than TJ ever has. It's not just stats, but they tell a compelling story. Quick, name another guard shooting 50/40/90 with over 8 assists and less than two turnovers!</div> Well, you probably wouldn't be able to find one ever in the league's history, if you change the requirements to 50/40/90 with an assist/turnover ratio of 5.6, averaging at least 5 apg, you probably won't find any in league history. Edit: surprizing side note: The player leading the league in assist/TO ratio is a Raptor, but its not Jose Calderon. Derrick Martin with 18 assists and 1 TO for the season. Just for info, Jose has 346 assists and 62 TO.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Lavalamp @ Jan 23 2008, 07:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (speeds @ Jan 23 2008, 04:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I mean, how is this even a question? Jose is playing better now than TJ ever has. It's not just stats, but they tell a compelling story. Quick, name another guard shooting 50/40/90 with over 8 assists and less than two turnovers!</div> Well, you probably wouldn't be able to find one ever in the league's history, if you change the requirements to 50/40/90 with an assist/turnover ratio of 5.6, averaging at least 5 apg, you probably won't find any in league history. Edit: surprizing side note: The player leading the league in assist/TO ratio is a Raptor, but its not Jose Calderon. Derrick Martin with 18 assists and 1 TO for the season. Just for info, Jose has 346 assists and 62 TO. </div> IMO whenever Derrick Martin is jacking up a shot he is turning the ball over.
