Here's the latest on T.J.

Okay, just got done filing for the paper -- that's the No. 1 priority, as my bosses like to point out -- but now it's time for a T.J. update for you web readers.

Talked to ace Media Relations guy Jim LaBumbard a few minutes ago and T.J. has feeling and movement in his arms and legs but will stay in Piedmont Hospital here at least overnight to be assessed again in the morning.

AP, first Raptor on the scene, said he thought Ford was as much scared as anything, although the presumption is he was knocked unconscious for at least a little while.

Consensus in the Raptor locker room was that Al Horford wasn't trying to do any intentional harm but as AP put it, why did he have to swipe so hard at Ford's head on a play with the game pretty much decided. That's a good point.

That's about all we've got here right now, will update tomorrow when, or if, we hear anythign new.

Comments

[bonitis]

After the game, Horford said Ford's under-the-rim move fooled him. He thought he was going up with the ball in his right hand and made an errant block attempt.

I'm glad to hear Ford has movement and feeling, and I hope he recovers swiftly without many setbacks to his general health or his career. He was having his way with the hawks tonight, and i bet hes bummed that hell get sidelined now. hopefully, it'll be much shorter than in years past.

--concerned in hawskville

p.s. great blog. if only more reporters were as thorough and insightful as you and your AJC counterpart sekou smith!

[James Borbath]

I am thankful for the news. Thanks for thinking of us fans Doug. I pray for the best out come for a speedy recovery for T.J. The bitter irony was that game showed fans all the reasons that T.J Ford is and hopefully will be again soon a very talented player in the NBA. T.J plays with heart and desire and is one of my favorite guys in the NBA.

[Web]

I definitely believe that Al Horford had no intentions of hurting TJ but I disagree with yours and Anthony Parkers assessment of the game being over. 90 seconds and down 8 points is hardly a decided game.

Get well wishes to TJ and hope he gets well soon.

P.s the update was appreciated.

[ET]

Horford’s foul was simply stupid and reckless. If you are going to foul someone hard, then you should never go for the head. Lot can go wrong. He may miss a game for that hard foul, but raptors can lose their starting pointguard for a lengthy period. Not fair at all. I really hope TJ can recover soon.

[Kevin]

I understand where AP is coming from, but that game was far from decided when Horford made his mistake. The Raps were only up 8 with a minute and a half to go (at least according to Horford's recollection. We all know, or should know, that an 8 point lead is not safe with the Raps and a minute and a half on the road.

The fact of the matter is that Horford is a high energy, hard playing guy and there is no way he would have let Ford run by without trying to block his shot, or, failing that, make him earn the points at the foul line. Horford's a classy kid and I don't think he ever meant to hit Ford in the head, never mind hit him so hard.

I'll be honest, every time there's a one on one breakaway situation like that I get nervous. To these eyes that's when most injuries occur, people jumping at high speeds while one tries to hit the other hard enough to prevent them from sinking a shot is a recipe for disaster.

[Kevin]

Oh yeah, me again, all of what I said above (or is it below?) being said, I really hope TJ's all right. I can't imagine how scared he must have been, for the fall in it's own right but especially considering his history.

Get better TJ, then destroy them on the court again.