The reason I'm not to happy about this. Was looking forward to having one of the most athletic pg's in the league come off the bench. Any team that had bad pg would take a punishment for 48min.
T.J. Ford will replace Chris Quinn role this year. I still expect Neal to replace Parker when they sub, but with Ginobili being the point when Parker gets benched, and James Anderson and Tony Parker starting. Only see T.J. Ford during blowouts, or injurys to the backcourt.
If other PG's in free agency return to form, you still have below average players. If TJ returns to form, you get a damn steal for the min. That's what it boils down to IMO especially because no matter who you sign, they won't get significant playing time unless the above happens.
TJ Ford is going to play. I see Anderson getting limited minutes but more minutes than a normal season because of the schedule.
Who was number 42?ball hog
I hadn't thought about that. Now I'm worried.
If Ford was a great player like Parker, is, it wouldn't be a big deal. Being both a bad to average player and being a bad fit is a recipe for failure.
Well, I don't think you worry about fit so much with the 5th guard/minimum player, I think you worry about overall talent/upside IMO. Gino has shown he can play with guys who aren't great 3 PT shooters, I agree on the defense but you normally don't get that from your 5th guard. TJ at least once had a level that was considered above average in a starters role and at least has some shot at making it back there and is relatively young.
he only 28...its not like his skill set is in total decline....he's a serviceable pg..cant be any worse then JV or SHANE HEAL...good pickup...he'll get 10-15 minutes per game behind TP.only the vet min to get him..good pickup!
I don't think anyone should expect TJ Ford to be great. I think it's based on a feeling that they need another PG(Potentially not trusting Joseph to be fully up to speed), and some level of familiarity from training over summer. I would guess TD etc got on with him OK(If they didn't, I have no doubt that the would've signed someone else) and that the familiarity would help with only a few weeks to go before the season. Getting someone who's somewhat of a personal fit with the Spurs core, and ensuring they have someone decent is valuable.
He's not a great player, and I would say there'll be a few times throughout the season where we get angry at him for not passing. However, we should be able to run the same sets with both Tony and TJ, as they can attack and play in similar fashions(though with varying levels of skill) Which might make it easier(No need to change sets when Jacque Vaughan is in)
Speedy Claxton couldn't hit the 3, Jacque Vaughn couldn't hit the 3.
Ford surely would be fine as the 5th guard but Spurs need a backup PG that is to say someone who will play 15mpg.
The neck injury was pretty horrific and is a legit concern when it comes to a contributing factor to any physical decline.
However, I think his physical decline isn't quite as bad as it appears and he will look better in a better situation IF he commits to being a back up (which here he has no choice and I'm sure the Spurs told him that.)
In Pop we trust.
But I still think Neal as backup PG has some merit.
1. He's good in pick and roll.
2. He's not a pretender like RMJ and won't melt.
3. He deserves minutes and only playing SG limits that.
4. Playing some band aid like TJ takes away minutes from Neal, Anderson and possibly Leonard.
5. If we make the playoffs Neal will probably play backup PG anyway so might as well play the best players from the beginning.
I think he will be fine in that role and even if he is the primary back up, he's the 5th guard on the depth chart (Parker/Gino/Neal/Anderson/TJ) and there are a few others like Gino/Neal that are capable in spots to play the role.
There are legit concerns, but like you said, out of who was available, there really isn't anyone better and that's all they can do at this point.
I just think he's a better reclamation project than anyone else available (with the exception of Pargo).
Good call....the Spurs system might actually do TJ some good..he'll still be able to push the ball in the open court..I'm sure the FO likes the fact he is shifty and can get into the lane...cant ask more from a backup.
When we have 4 games in 5 nights, and there will be a lot of those, Tony and Manu alone won't be able to man the position. I don't expect TJ to see much play time at all during the playoffs.
And I personally would take TJ over Chris Quinn... like other people and Bruno said, there wasn't a whole lot to choose from for the vet min.
Um, yeah, I used to watch the Raptors all the time about 4 years ago and although T.J. has his moments of brilliance... he can get to be a really y ball-hog who doesn't know his place.
Although, he is a cheap and serviceable player at a position of need. Maybe Pop can whip his mind into shape.
I like it overall... I'm not jumping up and down. I'm just glad the spurs did what they could do with who was available. I still see NEAL as the backup pg though. Looking forward to tomorrows news.
This. Timvp doesnt endorse the signing and the thread goes from people being ecstatic to people considering it a horrible signing.
Regarding him being a ballhog and over dribbling often, you cant compare San Antonio to Indi/Toronto. Im pretty sure players know that if you come to SA your going to play team ball. TJ knows Pop wont put up with that BS, and that his best bet for minutes is to utilize his speed and decent vision to set up players. Ten times better than Quinn, Hart, Vaughn, or Temple tbh. Solid signing especially for the vet minimum
I'm not going to scroll through 7 pages so I'll leave this here.
@DonHarris4 Don Harris
Just got off the phone w @tj_ford . Confirmed to me that he will join the Spurs.
I don't know much about TJ Ford, but I remember most games the Spurs played against his team he hit important shots to keep his team in the game. I agree that for a minimum vet contract this a solid pick up ...
Hopefully Pop wants a team player. But he often sets up players like this to fail by wanting them to be gunners and be "instant offense" despite them being washed up. We've seen this for years.
so we signin ex texas alu players
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