Report: TJ Ford leaning toward signing with Spurs

[DesignatedT]

Monroe_SA Mike Monroe
@tj_ford can't wait to get to Spurs camp; "I understand my role now. I accept it, look forward to getting started. bit.ly/sfzdEz
7 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[xtremesteven33]

Word of the Year for TJ: Defense

[jiggy_55]

Quote from the E-N:

“This is a great opportunity for me to continue to play,” said Ford, who led the Longhorns to the NCAA Final Four in 2003. “I understand my role in the NBA now. I accept it and look forward to getting started on Friday. I want to help these guys pick up where they left off in the regular season and I believe I can be a positive factor for them off the bench.”

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursna...ack-up-parker/

[GSH]

Ford's problem is durability, not ability. When he's healthy, he's a better backup PG than the Spurs have has in... a decade? More? Calling him a below-average player is just ignorant. He averaged something like 9.5 assists /36 in his last two seasons with Toronto. Then he went to the Pacers, and immediately dropped to about 6 ast/36. That was less about him that it was about the team. (He was still the second leading scorer on the team, behind Danny Granger.) That's only been three seasons ago.

And as for him being able to play 15 minutes per game? Last season was the worst of Ford's career. He and O'Brien didn't get along, plus the Pacers got Collison, who they love. And even with that, Ford still averaged about 19 minutes per game. That's the least he's ever played.

The real questions are how he fits here, and if he can stay healthy. I thought Phoenix was crazy for signing a broken-down Grant Hill four years ago. And he played in more games in those 4 seasons than he did his first 4 seasons in the league. If Ford can stay healthy (huge IF) he will be a great addition as a backup point. He can distribute the ball well, and his AST/TO ratio is always well above 2/1.

BTW - how many of you remember that he was voted fastest player in the NBA just a few years ago? And he's still young. The key is his health, folks. If we really get him for the vet min, and he manages to stay on the court, he will be another of the Spurs' bargain acquisitions.

[slick'81]

Ford's problem is durability, not ability. When he's healthy, he's a better backup PG than the Spurs have has in... a decade? More? Calling him a below-average player is just ignorant. He averaged something like 9.5 assists /36 in his last two seasons with Toronto. Then he went to the Pacers, and immediately dropped to about 6 ast/36. That was less about him that it was about the team. (He was still the second leading scorer on the team, behind Danny Granger.) That's only been three seasons ago.

And as for him being able to play 15 minutes per game? Last season was the worst of Ford's career. He and O'Brien didn't get along, plus the Pacers got Collison, who they love. And even with that, Ford still averaged about 19 minutes per game. That's the least he's ever played.

The real questions are how he fits here, and if he can stay healthy. I thought Phoenix was crazy for signing a broken-down Grant Hill four years ago. And he played in more games in those 4 seasons than he did his first 4 seasons in the league. If Ford can stay healthy (huge IF) he will be a great addition as a backup point. He can distribute the ball well, and his AST/TO ratio is always well above 2/1.

BTW - how many of you remember that he was voted fastest player in the NBA just a few years ago? And he's still young. The key is his health, folks. If we really get him for the vet min, and he manages to stay on the court, he will be another of the Spurs' bargain acquisitions.

i think he still has game and for a backup that can dish and has exp it is the best the spurs could do

[GSH]

i think he still has game and for a backup that can dish and has exp it is the best the spurs could do

He's got enough game to help the Spurs as a backup point. Honestly - I don't think he can stay healthy. But I was wrong about Grant Hill, so I can hope.

[johnnyblues]

Monroe_SA Mike Monroe
@tj_ford can't wait to get to Spurs camp; "I understand my role now. I accept it, look forward to getting started. bit.ly/sfzdEz
7 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[timtonymanu]

I'm still hoping that the Spurs have a bigman in mind that they plan to get.

[ElNono]

Monroe_SA Mike Monroe
@tj_ford can't wait to get to Spurs camp; "I understand my role now. I accept it, look forward to getting started. bit.ly/sfzdEz
7 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

"Good, the mop is over there"

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Some people talking here made it sound like hes a chucker.

A simple glance shows that he regressed mightily in Indiana. There is a potential for upside. Hes been gimp and bad the last two years.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Do not like. Manu will end up running the point with the 2nd unit in important games anyway, so I guess it doesn't really matter, but still, there were much better options for the vet min IMO.

[ElNono]

Do not like. Manu will end up running the point with the 2nd unit in important games anyway, so I guess it doesn't really matter, but still, there were much better options for the vet min IMO.

Like who? Earl Watson and?

[objective]

I don't dispute that Ford used to be a productive player. He used to be one of the fastest guys who could get his own shot and distribute. But then he broke physically.

Reaching back to his stats 3 and 4+ years ago isn't that good a pro-Ford argument.

His team last year did a lot better after his minutes were cut from 19 to 0 right after O'Brien was fired. He wasn't the only difference under Vogel, but I don't imagine it to be a coincidence that with Ford at 19 minutes a game the Pacers were a bad team, and with Ford at 0 minutes a game they became a better team that crawled into the playoffs.

I'm not protesting against Ford; he's making the minimum. No big deal financially.

All I'm saying is that I won't be surprised when he doesn't play like this amazing back-up.

[ElNono]

^ It can not work. For the vet min though, and seeing what's out there, no big deal IMO

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I don't dispute that Ford used to be a productive player. He used to be one of the fastest guys who could get his own shot and distribute. But then he broke physically.

Reaching back to his stats 3 and 4+ years ago isn't that good a pro-Ford argument.

His team last year did a lot better after his minutes were cut from 19 to 0 right after O'Brien was fired. He wasn't the only difference under Vogel, but I don't imagine it to be a coincidence that with Ford at 19 minutes a game the Pacers were a bad team, and with Ford at 0 minutes a game they became a better team that crawled into the playoffs.

I'm not protesting against Ford; he's making the minimum. No big deal financially.

All I'm saying is that I won't be surprised when he doesn't play like this amazing back-up.

I only give the notion credence because hes 28 and not a few years older. The Pacers were a bad team. I get that too. I will not just write him off before I have even see his approach here in San Antonio.

And its just for the minimum.

[ChumpDumper]

Are you guys projecting to be the primary backup?

[MaNu4Tres]

Are you guys projecting to be the primary backup?

Not me. Unless he completely out performs Anderson or Leonard from a production/efficiency stand-point.

I see Neal/Manu running the back up PG for 10-15 MPG to open up time for Anderson at the 2 spot, which would then open up time for Leonard at the 3 spot.

[The_Worlds_finest]

Pretty much a done deal TJ FORD via twitter

tj_ford TJ Ford
SA SA SA SA

[guillermo78228]

Don Harris from woai tweeted:

Just got off the phone w @tj_ford . Confirmed to me that he will join the Spurs.

[ChumpDumper]

Thanks, Scoop.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Are you guys projecting to be the primary backup?

I'm not projecting anything. With Jefferson and Hill gone theres going to be a a ton of flux in lineups. i just see him as an option and want to see how he plays now that hes here and then reevaluate. i am uneasy about him or Neal in the role or Manu having to take on more roles in a shortened season.

The over/under has to be about 10 mins I am thinking.

[ElNono]

Are you guys projecting to be the primary backup?

During the regular season, I think so.

[Robz4000]

Honestly, I think this will work out. Ford will provide a decent backup (if he doesn't ball hog). This may also be the jumpstart his career needs. Since he left Texas he's been crap; maybe being near his old stomping grounds will give him something to play for.

[mathbzh]

His he really a ball hogger? I must admit I did not really pay attention to his career. But career stat of 11 pts 6 assists in 30 mpg does not exactly scream "ball hog".

[blkroadrunners]

I am baffled at the reaction to TJ Ford. So people are saying a minimum level player and backup pg/5th guard on the depth chart will have maybe a few good moments, but more often than not will make you pull your hair out?! What a shocker.

There is nothing in the FA PG pool that the Spurs could have done any better with. They aren't missing out on anything by signing TJ. This is a position that unless the guy exceeds expectations, won't be playing much. From a talent perspective, he's a pretty clear upgrade over most of the back up's the Spurs have had. He, at least in theory, compared to who is avaiable, has some upside for this type of role. It's more likely he is declining and you get nothing from him, but isn't that the case with all the FA PG's available and most every minimum player in this type of situation?

If he's a problem, cut his ass and bring one of the other scrubs that currently is/will be available. There are always trades that can happen.

Even PG's who people would gush over because you've seen them have some great games (Goran Dragic) puts up a ton of stinkers. You've seen TJ have some explosive games before and that's good enough for me. Let's see if this new defined role on a playoff team and stable environment does him some good. If not, it's really no big deal and he's not going to derail anything or goals.

I concur

Now let's get our PF/C.