ballocks

i don't mean to take it off-topic but if sam really said that tj and bosh are his only sure things as starters, that could indicate a bit of a problem. or at least a potential problem.

bosh is a given. but that's it. if you're not going to include parker in the discussion, then you shouldn't include tj either. the neverending tj/calderon controversy is only made worse (imo) by trying to act smart and remain in denial. i like tj and i like his game, but to imply that parker should be looking behind him (and at who? kapono? graham? delfino? who?) while tj shouldn't leaves me feeling a bit uneasy.

calderon is a good player, clearly in tj's league. so to try and maintain a division there- even if it's only for the media, since i don't know what it really means to be a 'starter' anyway- suggests a potential problem, in my view, at least down the road. this is not the way to handle this controversy now, imo. the longer you try to deny that these guys are indeed peers in most (if not all) categories, the greater the chance you won't be able to pull yourself out of that denial later. you don't want to force yourself to play tj ford (or jose calderon) in the event that 'things' happen that would otherwise lead you to play the other guy.

i've said it before but i'll say it again: i think tj ford is, on the whole, being largely overrated by the team & media and underrated by the fanbase. i think statements like this by sam (assuming he said it) could be part of the reason why.

peace