Tuesday June 24 2008 - 2:50pm Eastern
The NBA Draft is just two days away and the basketball rumour mill is working overtime!
Take a look at any number of basketball websites - ESPN, SI, Hoops Hype, Real GM, and so on - and you’ll get a TON of possible moves and supposedly pending deals.
Here in Toronto, the name that continues to get banged around is TJ Ford.
Ford’s name has been linked to trade talk in Phoenix and most recently in Indiana. According to reports, the deal with the Suns would land the Raptors Boris Diaw, while the Indy trade would see Jermaine O’Neal in the big smoke … with Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, and the 17th pick going to the Pacers.
Whether or not these rumours are legit is anybody’s guess. But it’s probably safe to assume that “where there’s smoke, there’s fire”. If Ford’s name keeps coming up in rumours, is it not safe to assume that Toronto is trying to deal him?
Well, I had a chance to talk to Ford on Monday.
We chatted via back-and-forth text messages for about 10-15 minutes. I had originally contacted him to see if he’d come on the air with me or at least give me a quote or two for this ‘ol blog. But TJ wanted to keep things off the record.
So I’ve got to respect his wishes. I can’t say much at all about what we chatted about. However, I don’t think Ford would mind me sharing this one line that he gave in response to all of the trade talk:
“I guess we will see, but I like Toronto.”
I get the feeling that Ford knows in his heart of hearts that something is likely going to happen but he wants to remain a Raptor. He said that almost two months ago when the players were cleaning out their lockers after the first-round loss to the Magic. Ford had nothing but good things to say about T.O. and his future here. But the only comment that a lot of folks remember - like it or not - was when Ford stated that he wanted to be in Toronto but didn’t see himself coming off the bench (i.e. - backing up Jose Calderon) for 82 games.
Calderon later made a similar comment to the Spanish media overseas.
No matter who is right, wrong, or otherwise … it seems clear (and it’s been clear for a while) that one of the two guards must go before the beginning of next season and all signs - right now - appear to be pointing to Ford being the one on the move.
It should be noted as well, Larry Bird has shot down the Ford and O`Neal rumours on the Pacers website (www.pacers.com)
E. Smith
Rumour has it the deal might be back on Eric. Don’t know how credible the people at Hoopsworld are, but the O’Neal to Toronto talk might not be dead just yet. ;)
Maybe your sources can confirm that.
Keep up the good work. Love the blog. Cheers
- DocI real am sad about all of this. I hope T.J knows that their are still some people that support him in this country and I am one of them and always will be. If you have a chance to talk with T.J in the future please let him know that he will always have a fan in me!!!
- James BorbathTruth be known, I’d rather keep Ford than Calderon, but I think we know where this one is heading.
Where would Ford play if traded to Phoenix? There is some guy named Nash who runs the show there. Would he be flipped immediately to another team? TJ doesn’t shoot the ball well enough to be a 2.
- SteveVERY interested to see how this plays out. I have a feeling a Ford deal will include a team yet to be named. Phoenix has other swirling rumours that may increase or decrease the likelihood of a Ford deal. However, with the current rumours, I am skeptical about Diaw AND O’Neal coming here. Not sure the right fit has been found.
- JonFord
He is an incredibly talented player. I think he has to play a coach that controls him. Rivers harrassed Rondo into his greatness. Ford is an incredibly passer who wants to be a shooter first. If anyone gets him to look for the pass first TJ will be a great player not the pain in the butt self centered kid he was under Sam.
- MilesRasho-is a B story need an A center in a trade
Andrea should have be taught to play a true center right of the bat and we should have developed Andrea and Humphries. Raptors have to upgrade the team. The best opportunity for Andrea and Humphries came and went. We wasted two years of Andrea and Humphries basketball lives. Totally stupid.
- MilesTotally agree with Miles. The only problem is that in TO’s staff there is nobody even remotely good enough to develop these players. If you ask me coaching staff is a complete joke!
- D12I hope we can get rid of Ford. As long as he’s in T.O., Calderon will never fully develop and he was this close to being in the all-star game last year. So if Jose was running the show, he’ll have a legit shot at making it and become one of the best in the league.
- Jason