Not much is usually expected from the 51st pick in the NBA Draft.
In the case of Alton Ford, whom the Phoenix Suns selected with the 51st overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, the expectations may be low -- but the potential is definitely high.
"Alton Ford is a player that went to the Chicago pre-draft camp and raised our eyebrows," said Phoenix President/GM Bryan Colangelo. "He is young, but with a little bit of polishing and with the right work, we think he's going to have an impact with our team."
Ford posted averages of 10.9 points and 5.9 boards as a freshman for the Houston Cougars, establishing himself as one of the country's top frosh performers in the process. But it's his 6-9, 275-pound frame that has turned the most heads.
"He's the kind of guy you look at and sort of go, 'Wow!," Suns Head Coach Scott Skiles said.
Time will tell if his game will elicit the same response, but Ford just may get a chance to show his stuff and gain some minutes on the frontline, if not this season, then some time down the road.
Which is about all you can expect from the 51st pick.
The rookie forward checked in on July 19 to take your questions following the team's morning practice session.
Aman
from
24-56-34-211-cox-phxexpress.com
at 3:58pm ET
With your Size and capabilities do you think you can give phoenix the frontcourt help we so badly need??
Thanks for your time,
Aman
Alton Ford
at 3:59pm ET
No doubt. I'm just trying to go in and throw my weight around, push on guys and do what I'm asked to do.
Brandon A.
from
proxy.aol.com
at 3:59pm ET
Alton welcome to the suns my qestion is how would you describe your game?
Alton Ford
at 3:59pm ET
Tough, physical, more a rebounder than a scorer.
Brandon A.
from
proxy.aol.com
at 3:59pm ET
Do you think you will have an impact on the team this year? If not when?
Alton Ford
at 4:00pm ET
No doubt. I feel I can come in and give some valuable minutes to the team. Just try to make the team better in any way I can.
Brandon A.
from
proxy.aol.com
at 4:00pm ET
What do you think your role will be on the team?
Alton Ford
at 4:00pm ET
To go in and do dirty work. Just set screens, get what I can on the boards and just be a physical defender.
Rob
from
proxy.aol.com
at 4:00pm ET
Hey Alton, How do you feel about playing with guys like Starbury, Penny, and The Matrix?
Alton Ford
at 4:00pm ET
Great guys, truly great players. Hopefully I can just learn from them every day, do what they ask me to do and hopefully I can get better.
dustin
from
stn.bluemarble.net
at 4:01pm ET
What NBA players if any do you most model your game after?
Alton Ford
at 4:01pm ET
It's a blend of a few guys -- Karl Malone, Charles Oakley, Anthony Mason -- the tough physical guys who help their teams win.
Morty, Norway
at 4:01pm ET
How did you get that big, Alton? Loads of weight training or just the right gens?
Alton Ford
at 4:01pm ET
Mixture of both. I could say mostly genes. Everyone on my dad's side is big and thick.
Sam
from
home.net
at 4:02pm ET
What have the coaches been working with you on during rookie camp this week?
Alton Ford
at 4:02pm ET
We really haven't been doing much individual work. Mostly a lot of team stuff and skill work as a team rather than as an individual.
Jimmy B
from
home.net
at 4:02pm ET
Describe draft night for us. Did you have a big draft party? What were you feeling when your name was called?
Alton Ford
at 4:02pm ET
It was a huge relief because the Suns had been calling me all day and said if I was around at 51, they'd take me. It was a great feeling and a relief.
Phx Phan
from
home.net
at 4:03pm ET
What were your impressions of the Suns when you were drafted? Did you have any memories of former Suns players that sprung to mind?
Alton Ford
at 4:03pm ET
First one that came to mind was Charles Barkley, a great power forward. And I figured they're in the playoffs every year and they're a first class organization -- I just wanted to come in and do what I can to help the team win.
BG
from
home.net
at 4:03pm ET
What are your thoughts on this team you're joining? Does this group of Suns have what it takes to have a successful run?
Alton Ford
at 4:04pm ET
No doubt. Great point guard, great two guard, great three man. Hopefully we'll have a healthy Gugliotta. Then we got some young guys at the five. It's a good mix and hopefully we can make a good run.
Slammin Joe
at 4:04pm ET
Who is your favorite NBA player and why???
Alton Ford
at 4:04pm ET
Shaquille O'Neal. It's just no effort for him.
Oliver B
from
ded.swbell.net
at 4:04pm ET
Alton,
How do you like the Phoenix weather?
Do you look forward to playing the Rockets this year?
Alton Ford
at 4:05pm ET
The Phoenix weather is better than Houston -- more of a dry heat -- I think I can learn to like it a lot. Hopefully I can play here for a few years. And I'm definitely looking forward to playing the Rockets. I'm looking forward to playing every team in the NBA.
dmatrix
from
dialup.w3az.net
at 4:05pm ET
what player in the nba r you lookin forward to playin against the most??
thanks
Alton Ford
at 4:05pm ET
Shaquille O'Neal.
Alton Ford
at 4:06pm ET
I just wanted to get my career started early, and I said, "Why not now?" I'm very glad with the decision I made, and it was just my luck to get drafted by a first-class organization.
Erreye, CA
from
sherman-oaks-03-04rs16rt.ca.dial-access.att.net
at 4:06pm ET
If you were to compare your game to someone already in the NBA or someone in the past, who would it be???
Alton Ford
at 4:06pm ET
I'd say Charles Oakley.
Cids
from
proxy.aol.com
at 4:07pm ET
What did it feel like being one of the highest scouted high school players? How did it feel being named the best player coming out of Texas your senior year?
Alton Ford
at 4:07pm ET
It was a great honor. Texas is one of the biggest states and has so many high school players.
narmania
at 4:07pm ET
What are your personal goals going into this season? Do you think you can contribute important minutes on this already talented Suns squad?
Alton Ford
at 4:08pm ET
Just try to work hard every day in practice -- hopefully I'll get some valuable minutes to really show what I can do. I just want to show everyone I can play, that I was worth that draft pick.
inkwell
at 4:08pm ET
what has been the biggest surprise in the rookie/free agent camp so far?
Alton Ford
at 4:08pm ET
The biggest surprise is just playing against guys who are just as big and strong as I am. Just making the adjustment to different guys and learning the fine points to the game.
dmatrix
from
dialup.w3az.net
at 4:08pm ET
alton are u more of a half court player or a fast break player??
Alton Ford
at 4:08pm ET
I could say both. I'll play either or just as well.
Big D
at 4:09pm ET
Would you consider playing in the new developmental basketball league if the Suns asked you to?
Alton Ford
at 4:09pm ET
No doubt. They won't tell me anything wrong -- it would only be to make me a better player.
Cids
from
proxy.aol.com
at 4:09pm ET
Who pushed you to succeed in basketball?
Alton Ford
at 4:10pm ET
What pushed me in basketball was just to make a better living for myself and my family.
Brandon A.
from
proxy.aol.com
at 4:10pm ET
What do you hope to show in the upcoming Rocky Mountain Revenue?
Alton Ford
at 4:10pm ET
Just show my game really. Just show what I can do, and that's about it.
Cids
from
proxy.aol.com
at 4:10pm ET
How are you preparing yourself for the summer league in Salt Lake City? Anyone in particular you are practicing with?
Alton Ford
at 4:10pm ET
Not really. I feel I can play against anyone. I just need to get in shape and be able to play consistently the whole time.
Alton Ford
at 4:11pm ET
I'd like to thank you all for having me on the chat. A shout out to everyone back home and go U of H Cougars!
