A numbers game with Jose Calderon forced T.J. Ford to cut short his time in Toronto.
T.J. Ford is anticipating Wednesday's game against his old team. He is looking forward to being back in Toronto and about the only thing he is unsure of is the kind of reception he will get when he is introduced to the crowd.
"I'm really not sure," answered the diminutive guard when asked what he thinks the welcome will be like. "I'm pretty sure I'll get some boos the way things ended there."
"I don't know what to expect. It's like a wait and see for me," said Ford in a telephone interview.
So does he think he'll be serenaded with a cacophony of boos the way Damon Stoudamire, Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter were on their return trips to Toronto?
"I enjoyed my time there in Toronto. I made a lot of friends but I don't know (about the fans' response). You know how they treat Vince Carter," said Ford laughing at the other end of the phone line. "I don't know what to expect."
But unlike the aforementioned triumvirate, Ford did not want to leave. He was part of an Atlantic Division Championship team and you could argue he helped turn the fortunes of the team in December of 2006 when he led them to a win over the LA Clippers with a buzzer beater. The Raptors were in the midst of a 7-14 start to the season and playing without an injured Chris Bosh during that month and Ford stepped forward. He led the team in scoring six times over the course of December as Toronto posted a 6-6 record without Bosh to stay afloat amidst the toughest part of the schedule.
But things changed the following season. Ford may have been the team's best player at the start of the last campaign before he was injured by Al Horford's flagrant foul in Atlanta. It was seemingly all down hill from that point. During the interim, with Ford injured, Jose Calderon stepped into the starting role and played superbly. In fact, Calderon's play started questions about what to do with Ford, not only when he came back from injury but what the plan should be long term.
Those discussions became more robust, particularly amongst the fan base when Calderon continued his stellar play and Ford struggled upon his return, coming off the bench, a role he had never played in his career. Things became even more polarized when Ford stood in front of all the reporters with pads, pens, cameras and microphones and said he wanted to be a starter and didn't see himself as a back up. The sword has two edges as it was his competitive side speaking, the same feisty attitude that propels a 5'10" guard into the NBA.
Personally, I like that kind of aggressive attitude and spirited energy. Mind you it has to be channeled properly but it takes all different kinds of personalities to make a successful team. But Ford's statements were ill timed as he was struggling as a reserve which seemed to have people look at the other side of the sword and cast him in the role a selfish player thinking about himself more than the team. Bottom line was that Ford wanted to win, but his play, where he tried to win games single-handedly at times and his public statements had him depicted as the villain.
According to Ford, some of the fans negative perceptions really didn't bother him.
"It comes with the territory and its part of the business," stated Ford matter of factly. "You can't worry about it and people are going to form their opinion and you really can't worry too much about what other people think."
When asked if the fans misread him after his utterances, Ford simply said he wanted to win and was trying to do it the only way he knows how to and that is with all out effort.
"I don't think I said anything that the next guy wouldn't say," said Ford reflecting back.
"You never know the perception that some people have of me with some of the things that were said and some of the things that were going on," exclaimed Ford. "Either way it goes, I enjoyed my time and I'm looking forward to just coming back and playing."
In typical Ford fashion he is looking ready for the challenge and is not afraid to state publicly, the game holds special significance.
"Of course I want to beat 'em," responded Ford when asked about a game that both teams need to win. "But I don't have anything personal where I want to bash or say anything about anybody. You always mark those days on your calendar when you play a team that traded you."
Ford is still in contact with some of his old teammates like Kris Humphries, Joey Graham, and Jamario Moon and still speaks with members of the staff.
Truth be told, Ford said there was never a problem with Jose.
"We never had any problems, arguments, no disagreements. We supported one another but we got caught in a situation where they couldn't figure out how to use both of us at the same time."
The Raptors are struggling on the break and have been hovering near the bottom of the NBA in fastbreak points this season. So wouldn't T.J. look good in a Toronto uniform now? But the trade to acquire O'Neal is still a step in the right direction and Ford refuses to exude an 'I told you so attitude'.
"I'm a fan of basketball and the NBA and I pay attention to what's going around the league," said Ford. "Perhaps I could have helped but they just have to try to find chemistry, the same way we have to."
So what kind of reception should Ford illicit? With what he helped the team accomplish, there should be more cheers than boos at the start of the game. After that, if you're a Raptor fan go ahead and do what you like as long as it doesn't get personal.
Ford will play all out, that's what he does and like the spectrum of fan emotions that follow him, either scenario is possible. He could have a great game and take some satisfaction in taking down his old team, or he might in his own gung ho way have a tough night at the office in a loss for his current squad. Regardless of the result, it won't be for a lack of effort and don't be surprised either way.
