The big question for the Raptors right now is when T.J. Ford will return to the lineup.
The question on everyone's mind is, "When will T.J. Ford suit up again?" Ford has missed 10 games since being carried off on a stretcher December 11th in Atlanta after Al Horford's flagrant foul sent him to the ground.
Thankfully for the Raptors, Jose Calderon has stepped in as a more than capable back up. And now, he could accomplish something that Ford set as one of his goals at the beginning of the season by being selected to the all-star team. Before you think I'm just full of red Raptor Kool-Aid, I ask who are the best point guards in the East? Surely Calderon has to be right behind Chauncey Billups and Jason Kidd, which makes a trip to New Orleans in February a distinct possibility. And yes Raptor fans, this is why you need two solid point guards.
But even with Calderon playing well, scoring seems to be more of a challenge than ever in Raptorland.
"As well as Jose is playing , and Jose has been unbelievable," said head coach Sam Mitchell. "The combination of Jose and T.J. was giving us about 30 points and 12 -15 assists."
The exact numbers are 24.9 PPG, 15.7 AST, and 5.3 REB, but you get the head coach's point. Offensive production is missing from the line up.
All that said, one of the reasons that Toronto's offence struggled in San Antonio and Houston, before being aided by the implementation of a motion type offence leading to the win over New Orleans, is the absence of Ford.
Just ask shooters like Parker and Kapono who are at the tail end of ball movement started by Ford's capacity to beat his man and force opposing defenses to help. His ability to create, break down defences and get into the lane happens with more regularity than when Calderon is on the floor. Calderon does a great job of running the team but is more apt to stick with the call of a set play a bit longer before trying to generate a scoring situation on his own accord.
"The thing about T.J. is he could still finish over guys," commented Mitchell. "That's what used to shock guys, a guy that small getting into the paint well, and if you didn't come aggressive and challenge his shot, T.J. could rise above you and score. Or he'd get to the free throw line, or he'd suck the defence in and he'd make a pass.
But Ford has more pressing issues to deal with now than scoring in the lane over bigger players. Just getting back on the court is his next step.
"I think I'm fine" said Ford before Toronto's win last week in San Antonio. "I'm almost back to normal and we just (need) to continue to be patient and make the right decision as far as when I return."
While the word "retirement" has popped up, it sounds like the same attitude that enabled a player listed at 6'0 (probably closer to 5'10") and 165 pounds to be fearless will still be prevalent in his return to the court. The sight of Ford lying motionless on the floor at Philips Arena had basketball people fearing for the worst but leaving the game he loves seems to be only a fleeting thought right now for Ford. It sounds like when he's ready, Ford will be back.
"Realistically, any person that is in that situation I was in as far as being taken off on a stretcher, that the first thing that crosses your mind is that your career is over," said Ford. "I think once you settle down, calm down, and take the tests and exams and the doctors clear you and say that you're fine, everything goes back to normal."
"You live once and you've got to live with the decisions you make and whatever decisions I make, I'll live with them, regardless of what happens."
When asked about altering the way he plays the game, Ford talked about an evolving process but acknowledged he still has to encompass a certain amount of aggressiveness to be effective.
"You know I think I kind of changed my style already," said a smiling Ford. "I don't think I go in there as wild as I did when I came in as a rookie."
"I'm just a warrior man. I don't really worry about it. When I get back and I play, there's only one way for me to be able to play and if I can't play at that level and do the things I'm capable of doing and being T.J. Ford, the player that everybody enjoys watching, I'll reconsider."
Bottom line sounds like Ford will be back. When? Nobody knows for sure. His numerous visits to doctors and specialists serve only to gather information and make sure that he and the medical staff do everything possible to make sure he has a long career. Ford understands that there is a risk and whether it's big or small it's still a risk. In spite of it all, the diminutive Texan is prepared to live with the consequences of his decision and trust a higher power.
"Nothing has changed or else we would have a set in stone answer," said Ford. "There is only one person in this world that can dictate how my life is going to turn out. I'm willing to do the things I normally do and things that I love to do until he calls me to do something else because either way it goes if it's meant for something to happen, it's going to happen no matter what you're doing."
