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IC Cold Links: Ford Remains On The Chopping Block As Trading Deadline Approaches

T.J. Ford needs a new home.

After not-so-quietly being sent to the trading block when he was benched back on Dec. 30, the Pacers haven't made it too public that they are heavily shopping the point guard before the trading deadline on Feb. 18. But it was easy for fans to assume that team president Larry Bird would attempt to send the guard on his way as soon as possible after going from the starting unit to becoming the third-string back-up.

Coach Jim O'Brien said Friday that Ford doesn't feature into any of the future plans with the team and the coach assumes that Ford will land on another team within the next month. He also did Bird's job by sending out some great PR about how lucky a team would be to have Ford on their roster. Does O'Brien sell used cars during his off-days?

Here's what O'Brien told the Indianapolis Star before Friday's win in Detroit.

"I don't think there's any doubt (that a trade is possible)," O'Brien said. "He's a quality point guard. He could really help another franchise. It's not my decision to say what Larry decides, but certainly, I think we'd be open-minded.

"He's the third point guard in our rotation. We like what Earl is giving us at the starting position, and we're trying to grow a rookie. We think we have a guy in A.J. Price that is going to be a very solid long-term point guard for us, and we wanted to make sure we knew exactly where he was."

I expect Bird's phone is just ringing off the hook this weekend with GM's clamoring over the thought of acquiring a point guard that is behind on the depth chart to Travis Diener. Now, in an attempt to conduct my own PR push, there are teams that might suit Ford's style of play obviously, and exponentially, better than how Ford plays in JOB's offensive and defensive schemes. I wouldn't find it difficult to believe that someone can buy into the theory that Ford's psyche and playing abilities have been squashed under O'Brien's reign of terror coaching in Indiana. But sometimes that ploy only goes so far. Do we really know at this point if Ford will ever succeed under a system that allows him to freely play the way he wants to? Will he magically be gifted with the drive, determination and leadership to take a team to new heights. Eh, probably not. But, hey, calling all GM's out there: T.J. Ford is great! And don't forget about our power forward named Troy Murphy!

Ford, who makes $8.5 million this year and has a player option for $8.5 million next season, is averaging 9.9 points and 3.6 assists this season. More links after the jump.

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To Larry: Sales 101

Sales 101: You advertise the product and make the product look appealing for someone to buy. In the Ford situation, Bird’s trade philosophy is to bury him on the bench. Ford does have a history of injuries. Why would anyone be interested in him if the Pacers arent even playing him. Is it because of the injuries? Probably not, just Larry Bird and JOB being hard headed and not wanting him to play, but what are the other teams suppose to believe. I have never seen any other franchse in sports history which when they are done with a player they just sit him and pay him. WOW, thats really teaching the players a lesson, paying them and not playing them for long periods of time. I wish my boss would do that at work. Most teams will play them until a team is interested. I feel we are re-living the Tinsley deal all over again.

by Slick4President on Jan 23, 2010 10:32 AM EST reply actions  

I have been quietly hoping watson or price spains their ankle, ford is forced to play, goes bananas (or just decent) for a couple weeks so we can unload him.

The jamal tinsley treatment doesn’t increase trade value…

by dbcb on Jan 23, 2010 11:14 AM EST reply actions  

If Watson sprains his ankle(AJ Price needs more minutes to develop)...

…wouldn’t that mean we get to see more of one Travis Deiner?

by Gary D on Jan 24, 2010 3:24 PM EST up reply actions  

No Trade Partners.......

Let’s be honest here. A team would have to be crazy to take a chance on Ford. He is a complete cancer and brings no value to a team. The only reason a team would take a player like Ford is if he had an expiring contract, which he does not.

We will definitely have to toss in some additional guys to unload Ford. The problem is that we do not have anything anyone wants, besides the obvious.. Granger, Hibbert, etc……
The ideal situation would be a trade involving a couple scrubs (to make up the salary) and a first round draft pick. I still believe our only chance to get back to being a legitimate NBA team will be through the draft process.

by davis3217 on Jan 23, 2010 2:12 PM EST reply actions  

Old Yeller

Bird operates his team under the “Old Yeller” theory which is to take your troubled, non-performing players out back and shoot them. Unfortunately, when you shoot a player’s career, you get nothing in return. There’s no way we can get anything for him. Maybe a 2nd-round pick? Maybe? When you bench a player like that, then you lose all your leverage. I say give him another chance for the next few weeks. Hey, we might lose some games, but at least we can get something out of him then. But then again, I’d say the damage is already done. Bird is getting on my nerves!

by smits4ever on Jan 23, 2010 4:54 PM EST reply actions  

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