TJ Ford expected to sign with Spurs for vet minimum
by Josh Guyer (completely deck) on Dec 7, 2011 8:55 PM CST
in Spurs News
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Reported and confirmed via Alex Kennedy (Hoopsword), TJ Ford is expected to sign with the San Antonio Spurs for the veteran minimum on Friday, December 9th. (source)
Born: 1983/03/24 Age: 28
Height: 6-0 Weight: 165
Place of birth: Baytown, TX
Seasons: 7
Drafted by: the Milwaukee Bucks in 2003 (1st round)
T.J. Ford, is a 7-year experienced 6", 165 lbs free agent guard. Ford, previously played with the Indiana Pacers in the 2010-2011 season. His career average is as follows:
| G | GS | MP | FG | FGA | FG% | 3PT | 3PA | 3PT% | FT | FTA | FT% | ORB | DRB | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PTS |
| 415 | 306 | 28.2 | 4.4 | 10.1 | .433 | 0.3 | 1.0 | .290 | 2.4 | 3.0 | .815 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 3.2 | 5.9 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 2.5 | 2.3 | 11.4 |
Link to T.J. Ford's SBNation player page: (here)
| November 21, 2011 | Signed with KK Zagreb (Croatia). |
| April 14, 2010 |
Missed the last 17 games of the regular season (groin). |
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me too. and he’s only 28.
"You know the difference between you and me? I make this look GOOD." - Agent J, Men In Black
Wow. I thought he was much older.
"I've got Tim (Duncan) and you don't. That's the difference." -Gregg Popovich
this is a solid pick up….i like him runnin wit da second team w/ neal at the sg….i heard tayshaun prince resigned w/ the pistons..dat sucks..he would be perfect 4 us….but lets see what happens…
by DUNCANINDAPOST on Dec 9, 2011 12:17 PM CST up reply actions
Another point guard who can’t hit an outside shot. I guess we could have done worse
That is the Spurs’ reason for getting up in the morning.
Metaphorically speaking, they can sleep when they are dead, and they aren’t dead yet.
I keep hearing that he has much better court vision than TP. Then again TP can’t seem to please some people no matter what he does right.
by Chedda(r) on Dec 7, 2011 9:20 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
TJ is a PURE point guard… I love this move!
by In the 666 on Dec 8, 2011 12:25 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I was expecting a much smaller guy
"I'm good at killing fat boys. I like killing fat boys." ~Arya Stark
Haha, like Boykins?
"He's the ultimate zone buster." – Bill Land on Gary Neal
"I like the fact that he’s a man." – Hubie Brown on DeJuan Blair
by Manu ex Machina on Dec 7, 2011 9:37 PM CST up reply actions
Not sure how I feel about this. Got excited at first but it quickly went away.
by Chedda(r) on Dec 7, 2011 9:16 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Because he hasn’t been good for a long time. Even at his peak, he was a liability on defense and teams could sag off of him. But he was well worth it because of his handle, vision, and quickness. He was the classic, disruptive, drive-and-dish point guard and even more dangerous in the open court.
Key word in that paragraph? “Was.”
However, as a backup, signed for the minimum, I’m cool with it. I would’ve preferred Earl Watson, who’s rather vanilla but a good distributor and a good defender. But you can argue that Ford is stylistically similar to Parker, so he’ll fit in without much in the way of adjustments (well, offensive adjustments). But you’re not getting the same T.J. Ford that led UT to the Final Four.
by Tim in Surrey on Dec 9, 2011 3:02 AM CST up reply actions
Is it sad that I look at FT% almost first? 81.5% for the career? And his name isn’t Keith Bogans. At the very least he’s better than Bogans, an probably Mase. See ya Quinn. Atleast this might allow Neal to play a little more shooting guard. Why do I think we’re cluttered with guards now?
I'm not as good as I once was...and that's just the cold, hard truth.
Word on the street, Nets has offered Butler $7M this is getting interesting..
"You learn that one person really doesn’t get anything done. In any business, in any endeavor, the people around you have to be good people and have to be able to work together. That’s where the real joy is – when you’re sharing success with somebody." - Pop
This is a better backup PG than last season, yes? He would take some ball handling work away from Manu and Tony in a season cluttered with games. I just hope he’s a smart, stout defender.
Nov 24: 49ers' 8 game win streak ends. Winning next 8 = Super Bowl champs.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
TJ Ford? A smart, stout defender? That's funny.
by Tim in Surrey on Dec 8, 2011 7:40 AM CST up reply actions
OK, depth chart…
Parker/Ford/Joseph
Ginobili/Neal/Anderson/Green
MLE signing/Leonard/D. Butler
Blair/Bonner
Duncan/Tiago
Obviously, there’s an area that needs to be addressed. Still.
First you must find... another shrubbery! Then, when you have found the shrubbery, you must place it here, beside this shrubbery, only slightly higher so you get a two layer effect with a little path running down the middle. Then, you must cut down the mightiest tree in the forrest... with... a herring!
We need a new ginger
Duke of Bexar
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Dec 7, 2011 11:30 PM CST up reply actions
Kaman for Dice and Blair?
You are only young once, but you can be immature for a lifetime
by the little o on Dec 7, 2011 11:35 PM CST up reply actions
I’d be good with that, but for salaries to match it’d have to be either Tiago(NO!) or Bonner(yes, please) instead of Blair.
First you must find... another shrubbery! Then, when you have found the shrubbery, you must place it here, beside this shrubbery, only slightly higher so you get a two layer effect with a little path running down the middle. Then, you must cut down the mightiest tree in the forrest... with... a herring!
That MLE signing is an overrated player.
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
Its not a bad thing, we previously went into a debate on Manu playing the point. One camp thinks he should play alot of PG, the other agrees he does it very well , but should be limited in his ballhandling duties so as not to wear him out. I am of the second school of thought, and it appears so is grego.
There were some in here who, after Hills departure, basically wanted Manu to inherit all PG duties when Tony is on the bench. I think thats a recipe to wear Manu out, detracting from his offense and defense.
A man gets the eye of a Tiger, but a Tiger gets the eye of a Manu.
I’m of the school of thought that believes Manu was taking care of most of the back-up PG duty even when Hill was here. At least offensively. Most of the time, Manu initiates the offense when he is on the court. He needs the ball in his hands to make things happen. It doesn’t matter who brings the ball up court, a significant amount of the time they will pass the half court line and give it to Manu to create off the PnR.
I would love to see Manu coming off screens a la Ray Allen so as to preserve his body for the playoffs, but I’m not sure that’s where he is most efficient, and most of all I don’t think that’s what Pop wants him to do.
If T.J. Ford can really create efficiently in a pinch, that would give Manu some time to "rest" as a spot-up shooter, but I highly doubt that.
As an aside, I think it is important not to focus exclusively on positions and instead focus on roles. Manu has been the secondary ball handler and PnR threat (after Tony) for a while now, regardless of the roster. If the Spurs want to limit his offensive burden that’s the kind of player they should get. It doesn’t matter if it says PG or a SG on his profile. Considering that, Ford does seem like a better fit than Quinn was, at least to me.
"Deep down we all know that swagger comes hand in hand with insecurity. We strut not to convince competitors of our dominance; we strut to convince ourselves."
Matthew Powell
Maybe your right about Manu being the primary pg even when Hill is playing. But like I said, I dont think he should be playing anymore PG than he already is. The amount hes doing it right now is good.
Manu doesnt have to turn into Ray Allen to be efficient. He can continue doing what hes doing right now.
Manu does not need the ball in his hands to make something happen.
A man gets the eye of a Tiger, but a Tiger gets the eye of a Manu.
I agree that he shouldn’t play more PG. What I’m saying is that regardless of who is playing next to Manu when Tony is out, be it Hill or Ford or Joseph, he will still probably be the primary play maker. Or at least that’s what gives the Spurs the best chance of running a successful offense.
I never said he has to turn into Allen to be efficient. In fact I said the opposite. I implied that I would love it if the Spurs didn’t depend as much on Manu creating offense through the PnR and dribble penetration, but I guess we both agree that’s not a realistic possibility given the roster.
As for Manu needing the ball to make something happen, he absolutely does (on offense). A huge part of Manu’s offensive repertoire (and what separates him from a lot of other talented SGs), is his ability to create for himself and others with the ball in his hands. He is probably the best PnR SG. He get’s fouled a lot. He can score off the dribble. And through dribble penetration he either scores or gets open looks for our 3pt shooters. Without the ball in his hands he is just a streaky shooter. I think that’s part of the reason he came off the bench for so many years: so that he could run the show with the second unit.
"Deep down we all know that swagger comes hand in hand with insecurity. We strut not to convince competitors of our dominance; we strut to convince ourselves."
Matthew Powell
It’s less about Manus abilities and more a about the roster abilities and the play the required by the needs. Manu is the best at making stuff happen. That said having Ford gives them more than. Each to rest both Parker and Manu. That is important for playoff contention.
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
by grego21 on Dec 11, 2011 5:59 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I am fine with him playing point guard, but, not also playing starting 2 guard. The problem is Manu is awesome but he can’t fill in all of the Spurs holes. The nice thing is that Manu can now play it but is not required to due to personal. Spurs improvement in the wings should also allow Pop to lower Manus play time. He played career highs in minutes last season. He is awesome but we want him fresh in the post season.
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
by grego21 on Dec 11, 2011 5:56 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Random question…Are there any possible International free agents that could be signed? Maybe another Gary Neal of a deal is out there somewhere?
"I've got Tim (Duncan) and you don't. That's the difference." -Gregg Popovich
The Spurs were supposed to be interested in Bostjan Nachbar, a 31-year-old combo forward with a great shooting touch, but a bad defender. I haven’t read anything about it for a few days now, so it’s probably not going to happen.
"Deep down we all know that swagger comes hand in hand with insecurity. We strut not to convince competitors of our dominance; we strut to convince ourselves."
Matthew Powell
ESPNSteinLine Marc Stein
Newsy wrinkle in union memo to players w/all deal points: NBA teams will be allowed to pay $500,000 to buy players out of deals in China
I'm not as good as I once was...and that's just the cold, hard truth.
decent
He is more of a scorer but he handles the ball decent. So hopefully he gets better on defense and can knock down outside shots better than he is known to do
One thing i can do...................is FINGER ROLL.
I really like this signing.
Duke of Bexar
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Dec 7, 2011 11:02 PM CST reply actions
Solid
I think it’s a good pick up. He’s able to get to the hole on his own and kick out like the Spurs like to do. Another reason Tony doesn’t get much assists. His passes lead to other passes. This season can turn out very nicely. I think what has been forgotten a little bit is that Tiago Splitter will be getting his 2nd year year in and could be starting from the get go.
C-Tiago Splitter
PF-Timmy
SF-Caron Butler
SG-Ginobili
PG-Tony P
I’m liking this line-up. Then the relief comes in and Pop mixes and matches with:
Anderson – feels like he might have a chip on his shoulder
Da’Sean Butler – might end up a steal + a chip
Leonard – another steal/workhorse
Neal – draining 3’s like layups, wins 3 point competition
Joseph – on the job training after Parker/Ford injury
Blair-new found hunger (not the Whataburger variety-sucks with the A-1 coming back)
"If you run, you'll just go to jail tired!" TJ73
Hey is it just me or can TJ Ford be Forest Whitaker’s doppelganger?
"You and I have unfinished business." - Beatrix Kiddo
Not the Fast Times at Ridgemont High version.
"If you run, you'll just go to jail tired!" TJ73
by TrooperJoe73 on Dec 7, 2011 11:37 PM CST up reply actions
I always thought this guy was a good PG. I think he had some issues a while back, cant remember whether it was injuries, offcourt issues or both, I just remember it was unfortunate and not really his fault.
A man gets the eye of a Tiger, but a Tiger gets the eye of a Manu.
Wasn’t it a neck injury?
"If you run, you'll just go to jail tired!" TJ73
by TrooperJoe73 on Dec 8, 2011 12:09 AM CST up reply actions
Butler is still going to meet with the Nets.
A man gets the eye of a Tiger, but a Tiger gets the eye of a Manu.
what shall we nickname him?
Yo, I’m 6-11, but I just want to dribble through my legs and shoot jumpshots like a guard. - Marc Blucas on Tim Duncan
Built Ford tough? Ford F150? Ford Explorer? Ford escape? Maybe he parts defenses like a Fjord parts a coast?
I am also Steelbeard, Megatron's personal bodyguard. I'm a '70 Chevy Stingray in vehicle mode. In robot mode, my windshield and windows transform into my beard. Made from special alloy, it reflects lasers and bullets. It can also fold into a sword with the same reflective properties.
Haven't any of you guys ever watched TJ Ford play?
He did lead UT to the Final Four after all. Anyway, the best nickname for him if you’re thinking of defense is the Ford Matador.
by Tim in Surrey on Dec 8, 2011 7:44 AM CST up reply actions
Quite an accomplishment for a dude only 6" tall.
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest." --Willy Wonka
by SleepCrack on Dec 8, 2011 9:22 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
NICE!
I like it.
Unbelievable Time distortion space is the place Mean Gene Okerlund go down that lonesome highway but don't be hypnotized no- reincarnation doesn't have to be you can concentrate and you can-mental telepathy YEAH! But the beat goes on.
by SpursfanSteve on Dec 8, 2011 11:26 PM CST up reply actions
Any veteran PG that signs for the minimum is fine with me. With the compressed season he might actually get to play more than Quinn did last season. I’m still holding out hope that Cory Joseph (remember him?) can push this guy out of the rotation.
"Deep down we all know that swagger comes hand in hand with insecurity. We strut not to convince competitors of our dominance; we strut to convince ourselves."
Matthew Powell
he looked semi decent but not special at the fiba americas
"Kevin Garnett once described defending Tim Duncan as "trying to guard a tree"
Whenever I saw him, he looked downright bad. But maybe lightning strikes twice and he turns into a reasonable facsimile of rookie-year George Hill. The Spurs must have seen something in him that made them reach for him in the first round.
"Deep down we all know that swagger comes hand in hand with insecurity. We strut not to convince competitors of our dominance; we strut to convince ourselves."
Matthew Powell
nope, he’ll never be half as good as george hill. Never.
"Kevin Garnett once described defending Tim Duncan as "trying to guard a tree"
Relax
I liked Hill. Everyone did. However, I will say that he was never as good as people thought he was. Defensively, he played hard and his attitude was great. He just could not play the 1 spot.
"If you run, you'll just go to jail tired!" TJ73
I agree, hes still very raw. He is at least a couple of years away to be ready
"He was just a young skinny guy who looked like a winner. We didn’t know he was going to be as good as he is."
—Popovich on Manu Ginobili
by spursfan87 on Dec 8, 2011 8:21 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Lets hope hes not Beno Udrih part deux. I will never understand why Pop had such a mancrush on Beno. He was bad, and the Spurs kept him way too long…
A man gets the eye of a Tiger, but a Tiger gets the eye of a Manu.
And then traded him right before he started kicking ass.
Unbelievable Time distortion space is the place Mean Gene Okerlund go down that lonesome highway but don't be hypnotized no- reincarnation doesn't have to be you can concentrate and you can-mental telepathy YEAH! But the beat goes on.
by SpursfanSteve on Dec 8, 2011 1:04 PM CST up reply actions
If that wasn’t sarcasm directed at the people who overrate Hill, then way to dismiss a player that has never played a game of professional basketball. I’m not counting on him being a good player right off the bat and I’m not counting on him being a better player than Hill. I did say "reasonable facsimile", after all. I just want him to hit his open shots and play solid D.
If that was sarcasm, then ignore everything I said.
"Deep down we all know that swagger comes hand in hand with insecurity. We strut not to convince competitors of our dominance; we strut to convince ourselves."
Matthew Powell
George Hill is a solid rotation player on a good team in the league. I dont know if Cory Joseph wille ever reach that. He looks…..so damn mediocre. He doesnt have HIll’s atlheticism, shot or defense. A better passer though.
"Kevin Garnett once described defending Tim Duncan as "trying to guard a tree"
Oh OK. I get what you meant now. Your previous comment confused me because you stated so categorically that he was never going to be half as good as Hill.
Yeah, it’s a long shot for a late first rounder to become a productive player. I just want to see what the kid can do before writing him off.
"Deep down we all know that swagger comes hand in hand with insecurity. We strut not to convince competitors of our dominance; we strut to convince ourselves."
Matthew Powell
meh
"got him at 42……Chad Ford can’t keep up with RC ‘Bargin Basement’ Buford."
Spurs Yoda on Draft Night 2011
meh too!
"If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert"
- DBG
by LasEspuelas on Dec 8, 2011 8:46 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
A decent experienced backup PG on the cheap is exactly what we need. Good job, FO, now go fetch us a big already and we’ll be set.
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest." --Willy Wonka
by SleepCrack on Dec 8, 2011 9:20 AM CST via mobile reply actions
Marcus Douthit
The Spurs could take a look at this guy Marcus Douthit… he’s a very good and smart player… he’s probably relatively old at 31, but he played major minutes during the FIBA Asia tournament and was arguably one of the best players… here’s a link to his stats in that tournament.
It's better to be silent and be thought of as a fool... than open your mouth and remove all doubts.
He’s a naturalized player and played under coach Radjko Toroman, a Serbian coach who’s well respected in the international basketball scene… He has a decent mid range jumper and very disciplined on defense. Somehow, I liken him to a poor man’s Tim Duncan, if you know what I’m saying… His 6’10 height is his actual height without the shoes. NBA players are usually measured with their shoes on so he’s essentially a seven footer…
It's better to be silent and be thought of as a fool... than open your mouth and remove all doubts.
worth an invite to training camp
"got him at 42……Chad Ford can’t keep up with RC ‘Bargin Basement’ Buford."
Spurs Yoda on Draft Night 2011
Just this year when the Philippine team played against Kobe, Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Mcgee, Derrick Williams, Tyreke Evans and some other players I might have left out, he was the only big guy who matched up well against Mgee (the slam dunking Wizards center)…
It's better to be silent and be thought of as a fool... than open your mouth and remove all doubts.
he’ll be the first filipino to play in the nba! or second if when mvp forces mcgee to be naturalized……
"Yes, it's important that I have good numbers, and I'm well-respected as a player. But I think it's more important that I'm respected as a man." - Some Tall Guy Who Wore #50
to be the first filipino to play in the nba
my childhood dream. :(
"I'm good at killing fat boys. I like killing fat boys." ~Arya Stark
spoelstra makes you proud, yes?
"Yes, it's important that I have good numbers, and I'm well-respected as a player. But I think it's more important that I'm respected as a man." - Some Tall Guy Who Wore #50
by theonlyromeo on Dec 9, 2011 11:52 PM CST up reply actions
TJ lead the nation in assists his frosh year at UT & then lead the Horns to a final four… His only major setback was that horrible spine (I believe) injury, other than that he’s been pretty darn solid. With him, it’s a question of effort & work ethic (I don’t think Pop’ll let him slide on either)… Plus CuJo (I know, I know) gets to play alongside TP & TJ, at least for one year, and I like that! But, why the love affair with Horns all of a sudden, does this mean Alexi’s gonna walk on next year? (I don’t like the way that kid plays, but Pop can work wonders)
by In the 666 on Dec 8, 2011 1:36 PM CST via mobile reply actions
I’m a huge Ford fan.
Cool story bro: I once went with my college roomate who went to UT to play at their rec center. Early (00’s) I just wanted to play some ball against some engineering students, maybe make myself look good. But Royal Ivey and TJ were there picking up teams. Royal picked me up and TJ was on the other squad.
During one play TJ was on a breakaway layup, and he thought he was all alone and just went slow and steady, but I snuck up and swatted his shot from behind. It’s the only cool thing I’ve ever done in my life.
Then the next play he came down, crossed someone over and with me in the paint, bounced the ball off the glass and dunked on me. It was awesome.
He’s a good kid. Super kind. Don’t test him.
by Cedarpark on Dec 8, 2011 3:06 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Worth reading – has a happy ending
"got him at 42……Chad Ford can’t keep up with RC ‘Bargin Basement’ Buford."
Spurs Yoda on Draft Night 2011
by Joe deLarios on Dec 8, 2011 4:00 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I never thought I'd use this meme seriously:
But that really was a cool story.
Unbelievable Time distortion space is the place Mean Gene Okerlund go down that lonesome highway but don't be hypnotized no- reincarnation doesn't have to be you can concentrate and you can-mental telepathy YEAH! But the beat goes on.
by SpursfanSteve on Dec 8, 2011 4:04 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
That is a great story right there.
All these GIFs are breaking my browser.
by quincyscott on Dec 11, 2011 3:18 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
I’m very pleased with this. Great head on his shoulders and leadership qualities… I remember this kid when Lee HS was going around beating up all the area high schools.
and as far as nicknames go – anything but Ford Probe.
but, hey, we got rid of the RAGE and got… TAGE?
can't forget Matty, if you did you'd feel gyped
like your sandwich ain't a sandwich without Miracle Whip
WAIT. WAIT. WAIT.
He’s a Lee HS alum?
I’M a Lee HS alum!
"Sometimes I think I lost something really important to me, and it turns out I already ate it."
by DrumsInTheDeep on Dec 10, 2011 9:29 PM CST up reply actions
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