by Sweetbob

Created on: March 02, 2007   Last Updated: May 10, 2007

Unlike another article's argument that Earl Boykins is the league's most underrated player, I think it is T.J. Ford. Ford was traded in the offseason from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Toronto Raptors for Charlie Villanueva. The Raptors are off to a great start and are currently leading their division.

Like Jason Kidd, Ford makes other players around him play much better. He isn't going to score 30 points, but he'll dish the ball to players when they are open. His ability to give his teammates the ball when they should shoot the ball makes him an asset. The Raptors have already surpassed last year's win total and they are on track to double their 2005-2006 win total.

Chris Bosh and Anthony Parker are having very good seasons, possibly due to Ford's guard play. Bosh will always get 20 points and at least 8 rebounds a game, but this year he's averaging 22.9 pts. And 10.7 rebounds per game. Bosh made his first All-Star game appearance this year.

Ford has seen his points per game go up in 06-07 and have seen his turnovers go down in the same respect. Ford will end up being a Steve Nash type of player, since the Raptors want to run a faster offense like the Suns. Ford will not score as much acclaim, since he's in Canada as Nash, but if he starts to incorporate Andrea Bargnani in more, he could become an All-Star. The only weak spot in Ford's game is his jump-shot, it's a little weak, but with time, he'll make more. Ford's defensive skills will help the Raptors keep their opponents below 100, with them having aspirations of averaging at least 105 points per game. He could become the next "Glove," like Gary Paton in his early days with Seattle.

T.J. Ford is a player to watch, his migration from the Bucks to the Raptors was a blessing. Ford's ability to play at a high-level while playing in a up-tempo offense will leave the Raptors with a top-seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. I don't see Boykins play helping the Bucks out that much, he's a liability on defense, the Bucks have let their opponents score 100 points in nearly ever game.

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