NBA Rookie Jerseys - TJ Ford

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2003 NBA Draft Thoughts

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Does TJ Ford have what it takes to be an NBA point guard?

At this point I am a bit skeptical about TJ Ford and his ability to play point guard in the NBA. He has some great tools and skills but is lacking in a couple areas:

Positives: TJ Ford is one of the best pure point guards to come out of college in a long time. He was the top point guard in college for the past two years and put up some great numbers. He was also able to lead Texas to the Final Four this year. He has great quickness which he will need in the NBA. Like all great pure point guards he also has a pass first mentality which, depending on how Milwaukee uses him, could be a great asset. When called upon to score he can do that as well but he is primarily a passing point guard. He also has great court vision (which is something that can't be taught) and basketball IQ as well. He has more than just physical ability and talent which is something that is needed to play point guard in the NBA.

Negatives: The biggest knock in TJ Ford is his size. At only 5-10, 165 he is one of the smaller point guards in the league. Will he be able to defend the larger point guards like Gary Payton, Jason Kidd, and LeBron James (yes, the Cavs want to use him at point)? Smaller players can succeed in the NBA but that is a rarity. His outside shooting needs to improve as well. With his lack of size he won't be able to play any sort of post game so most of his points will need to come via the outside shot or some circus shots while slashing to the basket like Steve Nash. Also he doesn't have anyone in Milwaukee to pass the ball to so he will have to figure out ways to get points for himself.

Overall I don't think he will be an All-Star point guard. He will be a servicable point guard along the lines of Mike Bibby but I don't think he can get to the upper echelon of Kidd or Payton. If he can put up numbers similar to Bibby I think he will be reaching his potential in the NBA. Sorry TJ but you are just too small. Unless you can develop an Iversonesque game you won't be a great point guard.

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