Perhaps you forget the lightening bolt known as T.J. Ford who won the Naismith Player of Year award at Texas and played 10 seasons in the NBA before a surgically repaired spine left him teetering on the brink of paralysis every time he suited up; he was forced to retire in 2012 due to the nature of his neck injury. During the NBA’s lockout in 2011, though, Ford signed with KK Zagreb of Croatia and offered one last glimpse of his dazzling ability to get in the lane and find open teammates.
In his debut, Ford recorded 10 assists in just 13:03 minutes of action. While it’s true a smattering of Ford’s 10 dimes came on Josh Heytveld jumpers from deep — Heytveld hit 6 successive three-pointers in the second half, Ford got the ball to him and found time to dish to other teammates while completely controlling the court on the offensive end.
Ford had one of the brightest careers in basketball history before it was beset by an injury, but even after the terrible fall that sidetracked the rest of his career, he still showed onlookers his blistering speed and sixth sense for open teammates in Croatia.
Now Ford focuses on his basketball camp, helping other players train and reminding all of us what bravery really looks like.
Favorite T.J. Ford memory?
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