T. J. Ford
1394992
225649998
2008-07-14T19:00:06Z
Tamburello
1426816
{{Infobox NBA Player
| name = T.J. Ford
| image = Tj_ford_sg.jpg
| league = NBA
| number = 5
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=0}}
| weight = {{convert|165|lb|kg st|abbr=on|lk=on}}
| position = [[Point guard]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|3|24}}
| birth_place = [[Houston, Texas]]
| team = [[Indiana Pacers]]
| highschool = [[Willowridge High School (Houston)|Willowridge]]
| college = [[University Of Texas|Texas]]
| nationality = [[USA]]
| draft = 8th overall
| draft_team = [[Milwaukee Bucks]]
| draft_year = 2003
| career_start = 2003
| former_teams = [[Milwaukee Bucks]] (2003–2006) <br> [[Toronto Raptors]] (2006–2008)
| awards = [[Naismith College Player of the Year]] (2003)<br />[[John Wooden Award]] (2003)
| profile = tj_ford
}}
'''Terrance Jerod "T.J." Ford''' (born [[March 24]] [[1983]], in [[Houston, Texas]]) is an [[United States|American]] professional [[basketball]] player in the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) who plays for the [[Indiana Pacers]] as [[point guard]]. Having been awarded numerous top basketball accolades in [[high school]] and [[college]], Ford entered the [[2003 NBA Draft]] and was selected eighth overall by the [[Milwaukee Bucks]]. Ford's recurring back injuries resulted in him missing many games in his three seasons with the Bucks, but in 2005, it was announced that he was fit to play basketball again. Ford was traded to the Raptors prior to the [[2006-07 NBA season]], and established himself as the starting point guard, helping the team win the [[Atlantic Division (NBA)|Atlantic Division]] crown and reach the [[2007 NBA Playoffs]]. Following an injury sustained in the [[2007-08 NBA season]] however, Ford had difficulties reclaiming the starting spot and was listed as a trade possibility. Off the court, Ford set up the TJ Ford [[foundation (charity)|Foundation]] in 2004 to help participants achieve their academic, personal and civil goals.
==Early life==
{{Quote_box|
width=30%
|align=left
|quote=I have vivid childhood memories of playing basketball in my backyard. My father would work with me on the fundamentals and my brother and I would go at it playing one on one.
|source=TJ Ford<ref name=home>[http://www.tjfordlive.com/athlete/bio.php BIO], tjfordlive.com, accessed [[8 September]] [[2007]].</ref>
|}}
Born to Leo and Mary Ford, Terrance Jerod Ford was nicknamed "T.J." at birth by his mother.<ref>[http://www.texassports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=16&url_article_id=4445&change_well_id=2 T.J. Ford (2002-03)], texassports.com, accessed [[5 April]] [[2008]].</ref> From a young age, Ford dreamed of being a basketball player, having also witnessed his home team [[Houston Rockets]] win back-to-back championships in the 1990s.<ref name=home/> Ford first played competitive basketball at [[Willowridge High School (Houston)|Willowridge High School]], and helped Willowridge to a 75–1 win-loss record (including a 62-game winning streak) in his final two seasons, earning a pair of Texas Class 5A state titles in the process.<ref name=bio>[http://www.nba.com/playerfile/tj_ford/bio.html T.J. Ford Info Page - Bio], nba.com, accessed [[29 April]] [[2007]].</ref><ref name=cbc>Jay, Paul, [http://www.cbc.ca/sports/columns/newsmakers/profile-tjford.html "Ford the new engine for high-octane Raptors"], cbc.ca, [[31 October]] [[2006]], accessed [[4 September]] [[2007]].</ref> Subsequently, Ford was diagnosed with [[spinal stenosis]],<ref name=inj>Brady, Erik, [http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/bucks/2005-10-30-ford-cover_x.htm "Ford motors toward NBA return"], usatoday.com, [[30 October]] [[2005]], accessed [[29 April]] [[2007]].</ref> but he went on to play basketball for the [[University of Texas at Austin|Texas Longhorns]] for the 2001–02 and 2002–03 seasons.
In his first season at Texas, Ford not only led the team in [[steal (basketball)|steals]] and minutes per game, he became the first [[freshman]] player in [[NCAA]] history to lead the nation in [[assist (basketball)|assists]] (8.27 per game).<ref name=bio/><ref name=draft>[http://www.nba.com/draft2003/profiles/FordTJ.html Prospect Profile: T.J. Ford], nba.com/draft2003, accessed [[1 September]] [[2007]].</ref> Ford's play ensured that Texas made it to the [[Sweet Sixteen]], while he recorded 15 double-digit assist games, and was named a consensus [[Big 12]] Freshman of the Year.<ref name=draft/> In 2003, the sophomore was third in the nation in assists (7.7 per game), and led the Longhorns in scoring, assists and steals.<ref name=draft/> Ford was also the South Regional [[Most Valuable Player|MVP]] while leading Texas to its first [[Final Four]] since 1947.<ref name=bio/> At the end of the season, the consensus First Team [[All-America]] selection won the prestigious [[Naismith College Player of the Year]] and [[John R. Wooden Award|John Wooden]] awards, and was named Player of the Year by [[Sports Illustrated]], [[The Sporting News]], [[ESPN]].com and [[CBS]] SportsLine.<ref name=bio/><ref name=draft/> To honor Ford, his #11 jersey was retired by his university, making him only the fourth University of Texas athlete in any sport (and the only basketball player) to have such an honor, joining [[Earl Campbell]], [[Ricky Williams]], and [[Roger Clemens]].<ref>Melanie Boehm, [http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2004/02/09/Sports/Ford-Gets.No.11.Jersey.Retired.One.Season.After.Final.Four.Berth-601250.shtml "Ford gets No. 11 jersey retired one season after Final Four berth"], dailytexanonline.com, [[9 February]] [[2004]], accessed [[29 April]] [[2007]].</ref>
==NBA career==
===Rookie season===
Having felt he had nothing more to prove at college level,<ref name=home/> Ford decided to turn professional after his second year of college to enter the [[2003 NBA Draft]], and was heralded by NBA.com as having "the prescient ability to see the play before it happens, like [[Magic Johnson]] and [[Larry Bird]]".<ref name=inj/> Ford was picked eighth in the first round by the [[Milwaukee Bucks]] in a very strong draft class, which featured future [[NBA All-Star]]s [[LeBron James]], [[Dwyane Wade]], [[Chris Bosh]] and [[Carmelo Anthony]].<ref name=draft/> In [[2003-04 NBA season|his first season]], he led the Bucks in assists with 6.5 per game (apg), while tallying 7.1 for [[point (basketball)|points]] per game (ppg).<ref name=stats>[http://www.nba.com/playerfile/tj_ford/career_stats.html T.J. Ford Info Page - Career Stats and Totals], nba.com, accessed [[8 September]] [[2007]].</ref> Ford was also selected to the NBA All-Rookie 2nd Team.<ref name=hoops>[http://www.hoopshype.com/players/tj_ford.htm TJ Ford], hoopshype.com, accessed [[3 September]] [[2007]].</ref> However, he played in only 55 games that season before an injury forced him to miss the final 26 games of the regular season and the [[2004 NBA Playoffs]]. The injury occurred on [[February 24]], [[2004]], during a home game versus the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] where he fell on his [[tail bone]] after being fouled by [[center (basketball)|center]] [[Mark Madsen]]. He suffered a [[contusion]] of the [[spinal cord]], a career-threatening injury.<ref name=inj/>
===Injury woes===
Ford sat out the entire [[2004-05 NBA season|2004–05]] season due to his spinal cord injury.<ref name=inj/> In June 2005, a statement was released by Dr. Robert Watkins of the Los Angeles Spine Surgery Institute that said Ford had made a complete recovery.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/bucks/news/Ford_Cleared_050627.html "Ford Cleared For Full-Contact Basketball"], nba.com/bucks, [[27 June]] [[2005]], accessed [[29 April]] [[2007]].</ref> The point guard had trained intensively for months in his hometown of Houston under the supervision of former NBA player [[John Lucas II|John Lucas]]; together they worked on Ford's shooting, stamina, and strength.<ref name=inj/> Ford rejoined the Bucks when training camp opened, and in his first game back on the court on [[1 November]] [[2005]] he was one [[rebound (basketball)|rebound]] shy of a [[triple double]] (with 16 points, 14 assists and 9 rebounds in 34 minutes of play) in a 117–108 Milwaukee road win over the [[Philadelphia 76ers]].<ref>[http://www.nba.com/games/20051101/MILPHI/boxscore.html Bucks 117 76ers 108], nba.com, [[1 November]] [[2005]], accessed [[4 September]] [[2007]].</ref> As the season progressed Ford showed almost no effects from his injury, playing with the same intensity and hustle as he did in his rookie season. He ended the regular season with 12.2 ppg and 6.6 apg,<ref name=stats/> but found that the Bucks had abandoned a fast-paced style of offense. New coach [[Terry Stotts]] was beginning to rely more on the [[Jump shot (basketball)|jump shooting]] of [[Michael Redd]], the post play of [[Andrew Bogut]] and [[Jamaal Magloire]], and the playmaking of developing point guard [[Mo Williams]], so that Ford became a less important component of the team.<ref name=cbc/>
===Fresh start with the Raptors===
{{Quote_box|
width=25%
|align=right
|quote=In a way, all my lifelong battles with my spinal problems were a blessing in disguise. It made me appreciate the game more, that I'm still given a chance to play it at the highest level. And in every game, that always makes me want to give it everything I've got.
|source=Ford speaking to the Singapore press in September 2007<ref>Luis, Ernest, "NBA Madness... Up Close & Personal", ''The New Paper'', [[2 September]] [[2007]].</ref>
|}}
Following the [[2005-06 NBA season|2005–06 season]], newly appointed [[Toronto Raptors]] [[general manager]] [[Bryan Colangelo]] overhauled Toronto's roster in preparation for the [[2006-07 NBA season|2006–07 season]]. He was looking for a true point guard, and acquired Ford in exchange for promising Raptors [[forward (basketball)|forward]] [[Charlie Villanueva]].<ref>[http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/pressrelease_070106.html "Raptors Acquire T.J. Ford and Cash from Milwaukee in Exchange for Villanueva"], nba.com/raptors, [[30 June]] [[2006]], accessed [[5 May]] [[2007]].</ref> This trade was initially criticised by basketball observers as "lopsided" due to Ford's injury history,<ref name=cbc/> but Ford was installed as the starting point guard for the Raptors, and together with [[Chris Bosh]], the duo formed the centerpiece of the Raptors' offense.<ref>Smalls, Anthony, [http://www.nba.com/aroundtheassociation/raptors_revival.html "The Rebirth of the Raptors"], nba.com, [[12 April]] [[2007]], accessed [[8 September]] [[2007]].</ref><ref>[http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/postup_032107.html Raptors Post Up], nba.com/raptors, [[21 March]] [[2007]], accessed [[8 September]] [[2007]].</ref> Ford also forged a solid partnership with sophomore and fellow point guard [[José Calderón (basketball)|José Calderón]], the latter backing him up when Ford was injured for several games in the middle of the season. Apart from his quick speed (Ford was voted the fastest player in the NBA in a 2007 [[Sports Illustrated]] survey of 271 NBA players),<ref name=cbc/><ref name=hoops/><ref>[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/players/02/20/poll.0220/index.html SI Players Poll], sportsillustrated.cnn.com, [[20 February]] [[2007]], accessed [[29 April]] [[2007]].</ref> Ford's [[clutch (sports)|clutch play]] was instrumental for the Raptors throughout his inaugural season. On [[20 December]] [[2006]] he scored the winning basket against the [[Los Angeles Clippers]]<ref>[http://www.nba.com/games/20061220/TORLAC/playbyplay.html Raptors 98 Clippers 96], nba.com, [[20 December]] [[2006]], accessed [[4 September]] [[2007]].</ref> and two days later, converted almost every shot in [[overtime (sports)|overtime]] and provided the vital assist in the win against the [[Portland Trail Blazers]].<ref>[http://www.nba.com/games/20061222/TORPOR/playbyplay.html Raptors 101 Trailblazers 100], nba.com, [[22 December]] [[2006]], accessed [[4 September]] [[2007]].</ref> Ford's clutch play was again evident in a 120–119 overtime win against the [[Seattle SuperSonics]] on [[11 March]] [[2007]] when he scored almost all of the team's overtime points.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/games/20070311/SEATOR/playbyplay.html Sonics 119 Raptors 120], nba.com, [[11 March]] [[2007]], accessed [[4 September]] [[2007]].</ref> His form continued when he equaled his career-high of 18 assists in a game against the [[New York Knicks]] on [[14 March]] [[2007]] — one short of the Raptors franchise record set by [[Damon Stoudamire]].<ref>[http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/postup_031407.html Raptors Post Up], nba.com/raptors, [[14 March]] [[2007]], accessed [[29 April]] [[2007]].</ref> Ford ended the 2006–07 regular season with 14.0 ppg and 7.9 apg, both career highs,<ref name=stats/> and was also credited with bringing the Raptors to their first playoff berth in five years, as well as helping them clinch their first ever [[Atlantic Division (NBA)|Division]] title.<ref>Smith, Doug, [http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/205229 "Ford has rough ride to playoffs"], thestar.com, [[20 April]] [[2007]], accessed [[29 April]] [[2007]].</ref> In the [[2007 NBA Playoffs]], he averaged 16.0 ppg and 4.0 apg,<ref name=stats/> but Toronto lost four games to two to the [[New Jersey Nets]] in the first round.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/playoffs2007/series/series_e1s3.html Jefferson, Nets Eliminate Raptors], nba.com/playoffs2007, [[5 May]] [[2007]], accessed [[4 September]] [[2007]].</ref>
Prior to the [[2007-08 NBA season|2007–08 season]], Ford focused on improving his turnover-to-assist ratio.<ref>Smith, Doug, [http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/268350 "Being a better leader Ford's focus"], thestar.com, [[19 October]] [[2007]], accessed [[21 October]] [[2007]].</ref> When the season began, coach Sam Mitchell continued to rotate between Ford and Calderón to good effect. On [[11 December]] [[2007]], following a flagrant foul committed by [[Al Horford]], Ford suffered what appeared to be a serious injury in a game against the [[Atlanta Hawks]]. He was conscious but did not appear to move before he was strapped to a stretcher and wheeled off the court.<ref>Odum, Charles, [http://www.nba.com/games/20071211/TORATL/recap.html "Ford Seriously Injured as Raptors Finish Off Hawks"], nba.com, [[11 December]] [[2007]], accessed [[12 December]] [[2007]].</ref> In his absence, Calderón earned rave reviews for his performances and surpassed Ford as the starting point guard for the Raptors. However, after spending several weeks with his old trainer John Lucas in Houston, Ford made his return on [[4 February]] [[2008]] to the bench.<ref>Millson, Larry, [http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080204.wsptraps4/GSStory/GlobeSportsBasketball/home "Raptors romp in Ford's return"], globesports.com, [[5 February]] [[2008]], accessed [[5 February]] [[2008]].</ref> By the end of the season, there was much speculation that the Raptors would try to trade Ford, originally a central piece of the Raptors' long-term plans, and rebuild their team around the more efficient Calderón. In the [[2008 NBA Playoffs]], Toronto was pitted against the [[Orlando Magic]] in the first round and the perception was that Toronto's point guard play could prove to be key. While Ford played poorly in the first two games which the Raptors lost, he was instrumental in the third, bringing the series score to 2–1.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/games/20080424/ORLTOR/recap.html Raptors Cut Magic’s Lead to 2-1], nba.com, [[25 April]] [[2008]], accessed [[1 May]] [[2008]].</ref> The Raptors however were eliminated in five games, and the coaches' decision not to deploy Ford to close out games during the playoffs—coupled with Ford's subsequent alleged refusal to play backup on the team—led to further speculation about his future.<ref>Smith, Doug, [http://www.thestar.com/Sports/NBA/article/419787 "Colangelo: Sam's safe 'for now'"], thestar.com, [[30 April]] [[2008]], acccessed [[1 May]] [[2008]].</ref><ref>Perkins, Dave, [http://www.thestar.com/Sports/NBA/article/419783 "Point guard protocol top Raps issue next season"], thestar.com, [[30 April]] [[2008]], accessed [[1 May]] [[2008]].</ref>
===Moving to Indiana===
On the eve of the [[2008 NBA Draft]], it was reported that the Raptors had traded Ford to the [[Indiana Pacers]] in exchange for [[Jermaine O'Neal]] and the 41st pick in the draft ([[Nathan Jawai]]). The Raptors would send Indiana [[Rasho Nesterovič]], [[Maceo Baston]] and the 17th pick in the draft ([[Roy Hibbert]]). Because Ford's contract makes him a "base-year compensation" player, the trade could not be finalized until [[July 9]] [[2008]].<ref>[http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3461029 Sources: Pacers agree to O'Neal-for-Ford swap with Raptors], sports.espn.go.com, [[25 June]] [[2008]], accessed [[26 June]] [[2008]].</ref>
==NBA career statistics==
{{NBA player statistics legend}}
: ''Correct as of 30 April 2008''<ref name=stats/>
==== Regular season ====
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| align="left" | [[2003–04 NBA season|2003–04]]
| align="left" | [[Milwaukee Bucks|Milwaukee]]
| 55 || 55 || 26.8 || .384 || .238 || .816 || 3.2 || 6.5 || 1.1 || '''.1''' || 7.1
|-
| align="left" | [[2005–06 NBA season|2005–06]]
| align="left" | [[Milwaukee Bucks|Milwaukee]]
| 72 || 70 || '''35.5''' || .416 || '''.337''' || .754 || '''4.3''' || 6.6 || '''1.4''' || '''.1''' || 12.2
|-
| align="left" | [[2006–07 NBA season|2006–07]]
| align="left" | [[Toronto Raptors|Toronto]]
| '''75''' || '''71''' || 29.9 || .436 || .304 || .819 || 3.1 || '''7.9''' || '''1.4''' || '''.1''' || '''14.0'''
|-
| align="left" | [[2007–08 NBA season|2007–08]]
| align="left" | [[Toronto Raptors|Toronto]]
| 51 || 26 || 23.5 || '''.469''' || .294 || '''.880''' || 2.0 || 6.1 || 1.1 || .0 || 12.1
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 253 || 222 || 29.5 || .429 || .310 || .808 || 3.3 || 6.9 || 1.3 || .0 || 11.6
{{end box}}
==== Playoffs ====
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| align="left" | [[2006 NBA Playoffs|2005–06]]
| align="left" | [[Milwaukee Bucks|Milwaukee]]
| 5 || '''5''' || '''32.4''' || '''.490''' || .400 || .917 || 4.0 || 6.4 || .6 || .0 || 12.6
|-
| align="left" | [[2007 NBA Playoffs|2006–07]]
| align="left" | [[Toronto Raptors|Toronto]]
| '''6''' || '''5''' || 22.7 || .487 || '''.500''' || .810 || 1.7 || 4.0 || '''1.2''' || '''.3''' || '''16.0'''
|-
| align="left" | [[2008 NBA Playoffs|2007–08]]
| align="left" | [[Toronto Raptors|Toronto]]
| 5 || '''5''' || 24.8 || .362 || .125 || '''.938''' || '''4.4''' || '''6.6''' || 1.0 || .0 || 11.6
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 16 || 15 || 26.4 || .449 || .348 || .878 || 3.3 || 5.6 || .9 || .1 || 13.6
{{end box}}
==Off the court==
Ford started the T.J. Ford [[Foundation (charity)|Foundation]] in September 2004, an organization that seeks to enhance individuals through programs designed to develop their educational, recreational, physical and social well-being in collaboration with family and community.<ref name=bio/> The Foundation has a presence in Texas and [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]].<ref>[http://www.tjfordfoundation.org/causes.shtml TJ's Causes], tjfordfoundation.org, accessed [[8 September]] [[2007]].</ref>
Elsewhere, Ford is mentioned by [[rapper]] [[Paul Wall]] in the song "Get Aphilliated" in which Wall raps: "I'm like that T.J. Ford, I'm deadly on them threes."
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
==External links==
*[http://www.tjfordlive.com T. J. Ford's official website]
*[http://www.nba.com/playerfile/tj_ford/ NBA.com profile]
{{start box}}
{{s-awards}}
{{Naismith Award Winners Men|
year=2003|
preceded=[[Jay Williams (basketball)|Jay Williams]]|
succeeded=[[Jameer Nelson]]
}}
{{Wooden Award Winners Men|
year=2003|
preceded=Jay Williams|
succeeded=Jameer Nelson
}}
{{end box}}
{{Indiana Pacers current roster}}
{{2003 NBA Draft}}
<!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] -->
{{BD|1983||Ford, T. J.}}
{{Persondata
|NAME=Terrance Jerod "T. J." Ford
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
|SHORT DESCRIPTION=National Basketball Association player.
|DATE OF BIRTH=[[March 24]], [[1983]]
|PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Houston, Texas]]
|DATE OF DEATH=
|PLACE OF DEATH=
}}
[[Category:African American sportspeople]]
[[Category:American basketball players]]
[[Category:Point guards]]
[[Category:Milwaukee Bucks players]]
[[Category:People from Houston, Texas]]
[[Category:Toronto Raptors players]]
[[Category:Texas Longhorns men's basketball players]]
[[de:T. J. Ford]]
[[es:T.J. Ford]]
[[fr:T.J. Ford]]
[[it:T.J. Ford]]
[[ja:T・J・フォード]]