IC Cold Links: T.J. Ford Ready To Play, Pistons Arrive In Good Shape
by Tom Lewis on Feb 5, 2010 6:34 AM EST
in Indiana Pacers News
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PrintEarl Watson's absence opens up a spot in the playing rotation for T.J. Ford, the Pacers high-priced point guard who has struggled to find his way in Jim O'Brien's offense. Ford hasn't played in the past 18 games, since JOB decided to give rookie, A.J. Price some consistent minutes to see how he can play.
To his credit, Ford has put on a positive public face during the demotion, usually leading the team out when they take the court and doing his part from the bench to motivate teammates. Obviously, Ford would loved to be moved by the trade deadline but has refrained from any type of demands.
The Pacers would like to move Ford, as well, but his $8.5 million player option along with his struggles this year make it tough to find any takers. I do think Ford can help a team with a different system where he's not in a lead role. While he's been inconsistent for the Pacers, he had his moments with the Pacers where he's taken over parts of games and provided a spark to secure a win.
Maybe his play this weekend will spark some late interest, although NBA teams know players and just because Ford has been on the bench lately doesn't mean other teams that may have a need don't know his game and how he might fit with their team. Still, sometimes you're only as good as your last game and right now, for Ford that's a distant memory. Tonight he'll try to shake off a little rust and remind people that he can still play.
After the jump, a few links of interest including a special Super Crate episode with Dan Klores.
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Watson's absence puts Ford back in rotation
Mike Wells reports on T.J. Ford prepping for some burn tonight after 18-straight DNPs. -
PACERS: Scouting Report: Pacers vs. Pistons
Bruno's Scouting Report focuses on the consistent production from Brandon Rush over the past month. -
Pistons expect to be at full strength in Friday's road game against Pacers
Detroit has suffered through injury woes just as the Pacers have this season, but it appears they will be close to full strength tonight at the Fieldhouse. -
Watson's absence puts Ford back in rotation
Mike Wells reports on T.J. Ford prepping for some burn tonight after 18-straight DNPs. -
Dunleavy out as Clipper coach, stays in as front-office boss
KD digs into Mike Dunleavy, Sr. leaving the sidelines for the Clippers but sticking around upstairs to manage the talent.
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Yeah I was thinking about that
It would be nice if Ford had a couple big games that garner national attention, helping his trade value…
"If you don't [draft me], I promise you I'll come back and kick your ass for the next 15 years."
i would like him to have a few good games just so he's at least worth some of the money we're paying him
If Youre not First, Youre Last
Winning Time.
So I went to a small screening of Winning Time last night in NYC, and like Cornrows said it was excellent. And exceptionally funny. I’m sure a number of people who are reading this already saw it, and the rest will see it in due time, but you surely will not be dissappointed. It really really really makes me miss competitive, rivalry type basketball. And I think that the way the game is now, it’s nearly impossible to duplicate what we had back then. Just the hand-checking, physical body on body games just dont fly now. Lot of cool behind the scenes stuff I never knew of, which I wont bother going into.
I am 27 and I have said before, that is what made me a Pacer fan. 94 95 coming up just learning about basketball, hating the Knicks, and loving Reggie and the Davis’s. Not only did this get me into basketball, it got me into reading the newspaper, a habit I still cannot kick even though I am on the internet everyday, i have to go get those physical papers in the morning. Either way, just really brought back alot of good memories, in a funny yet serious type way, and makes you realize how special those teams were. Not even only the 94 95, but all through HS (97-2000) just how much fun those teams were, those rivalries, the Eastern Conference in general. Shit, I miss those Knicks teams.
Donnie Walsh, Klores, and Brandon Tierney (ESPN NY talk show host) were at the screening and fielded questions afterwards. They asked about LJ’s 4 point play. (Klores said he tried to more or less focus on those 4 moments, and not expand too much). But after ,Donnie said everytime he walks out of his office now, there is a huge pic of the 4 point play. He said that his Indy friends/fans tell him he has to take it down, but he cant cause its such a big part of Knick history. Than someone went on to tell Donnie they love him but James Dolan is the worst boss ever, and it got real awkward and everything kind of ended. The biggest surprise of the whole thing was Ewing though, he was EXCELLENT throughout the whole thing. Klores said that Ewing opened up so much, and was pretty much the opposite of what he was always painted as.
-Captian
That's funny, Walsh must've mastered averting his eyes as he leaves his office
The physical play was incredible and just a completely different game. It was real interesting seeing some of those critical plays slowed down from a bunch of different angles.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts from the screening, cap!
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