How 'bout them changes?

There's perception and there's reality.

The perception is that T.J. is being rewarded for not playing well by getting starting job back tonight.

The reality is things weren't working and it's better to salvage this situation and deal with the ramifications in the summer.

But, first, I do have to say this move says more about Jose Calderon than it does about any of the other principles involved. I know the dude talks about only wanting what's best for the team and how winning is all that matters, if this doesn't show it, I don't know what else does.

Now, on to the moves.

Ford's obviously been bad as a backup and was good as a starter. He is more likely now to get other people involved in the offence -- if he doesn't Bosh might smack him if Sam doesn't -- and play what we remember as his "regular" game.

The Rasho-Bargnani move? Makes entire sense, Rasho's been playing out of his mind the last month or so -- he's got to be in the top half of post defenders in the NBA -- and we've seen Bargnani struggle if he doesn't make his first couple of shots.

Maybe playing backups, and getting more touches, will allow him to feel more comfortable more often. I still say they need a three-man bigs rotation of Bosh, Bargnani and Rasho in the post-season, guess it really doesn't matter who plays when because most nights, Bosh and Rasho are going to finish games because they provide the most balance offensively and defensively.

But this does not -- I repeat DOES NOT -- mean that I think Bargnani's a bum and they should ship him out in the summer. The kid's still got sublime, diverse skills, they just have to be seen more often. And I think they will. I'm not making a pronouncement on his suitability until at least the halfway point of next season.

Now, how about Jose-T.J. in the summer? Does this move have any impact on that?

I still now Colangelo is going to re-sign Calderon and because Calderon is really okay with this move, I don't see how he'd feel it a slight that would drive him away.

And, maybe -- MAYBE -- this will enhance T.J.'s value on the trade market if Colangelo's thinking about packaging him and someone else for the wing they so desperately need.

I still think, if he comes back with the right frame of mind in October, that Ford would be an excellent backup, able to change the tempo of the game. He hasn't shown it in the last few weeks, though, which is why this change  had to be made now.

I presume I'll be spending a good chunk of my afternoon posting comments. It'll keep me off the streets, I guess.

Comments

[Dave]

I agree with Jonathan, Raptor fans have the shortest memories and turn on their players so quickly. Wasn't it Ford who led us to the playoffs last year, Wasn't it Ford who was averaging 16 points and 7 assists before being injured. The way people are treating ford it's like he's milt palacio. But it's ok im sure Ford will shine in a blazers, lakers, clipeprs etc. (any team that is athletic where a player of ford skillset will shine, not a jump shooting team that stands on the perimter).
It's not like calderon is tearing it up lately but that's TJ's fault right?

[jk]

If TJ has 17 and 7 for the Clippers, GREAT! That's what is supposed to happen if we want to get Maggette, who we need MUCH more than we need TJ...you think anyone is going to trade him for the kind of wing we need if he COULDN'T put up decent numbers??
Why are people here so dense? Calderon fits the RAPTORS better...and we need a WING....TJ has developed into a problem and if the Clippers or anyone else can be convinced that he is over his "condition" the way WE were when we signed him to that albatross of a contract, then GREAT...let him score til the cows come home for some team in the Western conference.

[Ellie]

I (heart) Jose and his lack o' ego. That is all.

[Raoul]

About half way through the season, I suggested to those that seek my comments on such things, that I thought Bargnani's "baptism by fire" might cost us a few wins. Its hard to blame him for any one loss, but we gave up alot of the experience and knowledge that Rasho brings. Like you, I've always been in the "more minutes for Rasho camp". I'm glad that with 12 games left we've gone back to what has usually worked well. The team just plays better defense when he is on the floor and grabs more boards if not boards by Rasho himself. TJ has been responsible for creating a "point guard controversy" on this team and not entirely on his own. He agreed to a big contract extension last year, which could only have led him to believe that he was a lock as the starter on this team. I believe it was apparent around this time last year that Jose may be the better of the two options to build around. I have long thought that giving TJ that extension could be a mistake. Moving TJ and locking Calderon up long term has, in my opinion, become the key to this off-season.

[Mark]

Reward TJ for poor play and a cancerous, sulky attitude. Great!!

Bargs Starter, Bargs Bench Player, Bargs Starter, Bargs Bench Player. Way to screw around with a young 2nd year player Sam. And you wonder why he's incosistent.

Mitchell needs to be fired. And I know how sad that would make you Doug, because you love the dude.

[Casey]

My fellow commenter’s,

I can appreciate I am no literary genius, but please, can we use a little punctuation and a couple of carriage returns and line feeds?

I'm really curious to know what has Zaddups so inspired to write that much, but I can't bring myself to read it in its current form, Doug, is it worth the trouble?

Blogger's note: What? You think I read it? (Kidding, just kidding)
Um, I really decline comment on that.

[Sean Smith]

@ Jonathan S.:

It's wonderful that TJ came back from a career-threatening injury, but nobody ever questioned the guy's toughness, we questioned his selfishness and poor decision making ability with the ball. Jose, if you recall, was also carried off the floor on a stretcher wearing a neck brace a few years back; yet his toughness seems to be questioned by comparison in your post. If you're trying to say that TJ has the onions to take the big shot, then I'll reply that he's also just as likely to alienate the other four players on the floor and doesn't know which is which.

Don't claim ignorance on the part of Toronto fans and then throw your straw man argument at us ... it's kind of ignorant.

[AK (Richmond Hill)]

A couple of thoughts:

(a) TJ playing his "regular game", frankly, provides me with little comfort. His regular game is the same nonsense he's pulled in the last few weeks but on a smaller scale.

(b) What does it say about a guy who is not exactly going to be a HOF candidate that his team has to appease his ego and insert him back in the starting line-up and sacrifice a team leader in doing so.

(c) I hope Bargs takes this demotion with a grain of salt. Hopefully him going to the second unit with Jose will mitigate any shot to his confidence.

(d) Raise #8 to the rafters -- what a total class act.

[Rudi]

If this is what it takes to move TJ to some other team in the off season, it is ok. TJ will look much better now as his deficiencies will be hidden by the play of the starters (better players). The second unit will produce now more points as the floor is run by Jose (a better PG than Ford). I would rather prefer Jose as a starter and Delfino as back-up PG than the present situation. But lets wait and see what happens tonight, shall we?

[Jonny F]

Doug, what has changed your mind about T.J. starting?

I remember you said, and I quote "No, letting TJ start would be an admission that his play of late is being rewarded and that's ridiculous."

That was your response to my query last Friday! Not even a week has past, and you've flip-flopped.

Maybe you should think about getting into politics.

(I keed, I keed).

Blogger's note: I did think it was ridiculous, and if it hadn't been something suggested for the good of the team by the guy he's replacing, I'm wondering if it ever would have happened. I'll have more on this in the morning after I get to talk to some players privately here in half an hour or so.

[sonny]

Hey Jason Biggs. Well put man. This team has definitely regressed. I wish we would all just admit it.

[Moe]

Nice move on both parts. Good for Bargnani to come off the bench and into the flow of the game, rather than try to dictate play from the start. Rasho's an old vet who simply knows how to play smart and get it done.

While TJ getting hurt might have been predicted, nobody could predict his strange, selfish and scattered play upon his return. Good for Jose to put the team ahead of himself.

Doug - if this new arrangement doesn't work out, do you think Sam will be hesitant to put TJ back on the bench & have Jose start? Or will he "see it through" & hope that TJ gets his form back?

Thanks. Peace.

[eric s]

come on all of you guys. we know tj has great potential and can also pass, give him sometime.

[Tim Hommel]

Two comments:

First:
"Blogger's note: This is a short-term thing, I have no idea what might happen in the summer. I presume they'll try to move T.J. after they know they'll have Jose locked up long-term."

This is NOT a criticism of you - I am sure there are many people just like you.

But, I am sure that you will agree that this was NOT your opinion when the TJ-Jose PG situation arrived in Toronto. When did you change your mind, and why?

Second:

"Blogger's note: Dude, chill. It was 16 minutes between the two times you sent the post. In a shocking development, I have other stuff to take care of besides watching this every second of the day.
I think I get to them pretty promptly as it is."

I disagree - I think you get to them AMAZINGLY promptly, considering the fact that you are not hard-wired to your computer!

Keep up the great work - I love the blog! (Never knew what a blog was until you started yours - and, officially, I STILL don't know what one is, but I love yours!)

Blogger's note: Don't tell anyone, but I'm not sure what it is, either. And I'll get into TJ-Jose more tomorrow morning.

[shawn]

Hey Doug, I sent you a pretty good question last night but by the look of this post I've picked a bad time to talk about Kapono. I must say im impressed with the traffic you've got here, it looks like a Lakers rumor on the Yahoo Sports page. I'm sure you're looking forward to tomorrow, good luck.

[Louis]

Are you serious? Have I missed something? That has got to be a mistake. Did someone earnestly suggest that Graham, yes, Joey Graham start at the SF position for the Raptors? What I find amazing is that so many people judge Andrea's career as a failure waiting to happen and call him out after only 1 3/4 seasons, (during which he has shown several glimpses at the excellence that he is going to become), when we have a first round pick on our bench that has totally shown no hope for future value and in no way contributes to our team, who is obviously a bust. Doug, Why do you think that Bargs catches all this heat and Joey does not?

Blogger's note: A question to which there is no logical answer so I will not try to provide one right now.

[Kevin]

Oh no, I've become addicted to this blog. I find it funny that only one team wins the championship each year, yet Toronto fans think it is just a few one sided trades away.
The ups and downs of a young team are going to happen. I'm wondering how many people are just waiting for mistakes to happen so they can be right. I'm hoping this change works out even if Jose initiated it.
Doug, do you keep track of how many times this year someone has suggested trades/firings/etc.?

Blogger's note: I did, but once I got to 10 figures, I gave up.

[Marlon]

WTG Jose. You are the PG for this team. Hope you stay next season.

Doug, with all your time spent replying to posts, do you still have time to watch Dancing With The Stars? And who's your favorite? :-D

Blogger's note: I haven't seen enough to really form an opinion yet these days. I'm a big Marlee Matlin fan, though.

[TJ4LIFE]

The Raps should waive T.J. Ford immediately. That would send a clear message to him, to the team and to the NBA that players that are selfish and want more PT have no place whatsoever in Toronto.

[GM]

This move generates almost as many posts as the Great Pizza Debate of '08!

I don't think Sam should be blamed in this. If it were his idea, people would be up in arms -- and rightfully so, since he'd be demoting the classy team-first Calderon and promoting the poor play and attitude of Ford. But since Calderon apparently suggested it, it's the right thing to do.

"trade Tj to the clippers and watch him average 17 and 7": And watch the Clippers continue to lose.

"My fellow commenter’s,
I can appreciate I am no literary genius, but please, can we use a little punctuation and a couple of carriage returns and line feeds?": Or a little less punctuation. Like, for instance, no apostrophes where none are needed.

"Raptor fans have the shortest memories and turn on their players so quickly. Wasn't it Ford who led us to the playoffs last year, Wasn't it Ford who was averaging 16 points and 7 assists before being injured. The way people are treating ford it's like he's milt palacio.": Uh, some of us have been saying the same thing about Ford since his first month with the team. This isn't new. I don't care what he averaged, he's not a player who will make a *team* better. You're right, though, he's no Milt Palacio. But I would rather have Uncle Miltie.

[Thane]

Well this whole deal proves two things.

i) Jose is an excellent inspiration, team player, and athelete.

ii) He'd make a terrible coach.

Also going to wing you a question for the mailbox about this... I know, it'll be my second this week, whoops.

[jk]

Chris Bosh and TJ Ford...two of the most overrated players in the league....god help any tema that relies on THOSE two as the best players.

[Thane]

Sorry for the double post, Doug. But will this last stretch of games coming off the bench qualify Jose for the Sixth-Man award?

Blogger's note: Nope, sorry, he's already started too many this season

[Carolyn]

Wow I read all this stuff you people wrote and my eyes are sore. But it was fun.

[Louis]

Well, just watched the first half and I must say that things are playing out as I expected/feared. Bargs is having a hard time getting into his groove, and TJ still has the ego to try to shoot a well defended three... he nothing but air. Lets give it a couple of games before we get going with the "strap-on-your-skates-we-hate-basketball" rants though, ok folks? This is going to be the best for the team in the long run, and at this point the long run isn't all that long away.