TheStar.com | Sports | Forget Venice, Ford says, I’m just here to work hard
But Mitchell has repeatedly insisted that Ford will be the No.1: “Don’t even go down that road,” he said the other day.

So why no debate? Ford is simply the superior player. But surely the coach understands that the status quo also avoids a firestorm. Calderon plays the happy backup even if he craves more. But Ford would not take well to a demotion.

“I’ve been a starter my whole life. Even if someone told me I wasn’t a starter, I guarantee you, I’ll be the starter,” Ford said yesterday. “It’s no disrespect to Jose or anybody. It’s just the competitive nature I have.”

He’s certainly aware of Calderon’s considerable fan club.

“Everybody doesn’t like T.J. Ford’s game. I’ve been hearing it all my life. He’s too small. He plays too fast. He’s out of control. I’ve heard it all …”