The Official Site of TJ Ford

Wed, Nov 12th 2008, 16:17

Ford steps in and makes an immediate difference

By Mike Wells – Indystar

Jamaal who?

T.J. Ford has made Jamaal Tinsley an afterthought in less time than it took the Indiana Pacers to box up and ship Tinsley’s belongings to him this summer.

Ford’s early play has given fans a reason to believe the team has solved its recent instability at point guard. The Pacers are 3-3 heading into tonight’s game at New Jersey. Win, and they climb above .500 for the first time since late last December.

“I don’t want to jump the gun, but this guy has to be one of the top point guards in the East right now at this point,” said Jarrett Jack, Ford’s backup. “I don’t see too many people playing better than him right now. The All-Star thing crept in my mind with him and how nice it would be for him because it’s his third go-around.

“People kind of write you off after your third go-around. He’s been persistent with it and he’s playing good basketball.”

Ford started his career with Milwaukee and was traded from Toronto to the Pacers in the offseason. Injuries were an issue, not skill.

This season, he’s been healthy. He also has beaten opponents with his scoring (17.0 points) and his drive-and-dish ability (6.0 assists per game). He has flirted with a triple-double in each of the past two games.

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