The ultimate Toronto Raptors fan favourite bracket: Round of 8

(1) Jerome Williams vs. (4) T.J. Ford

How we got here:

Williams 62% > Bonner 38%

Jerome Williams entered the tournament as the number one overall seed, so watching him struggle with the likes of Matt Bonner was certainly a surprise. Bonner became a Canadian citizen and has a nation of redheads behind him (Just ask our very own Jordan Skuse), but this matchup was expected to be 70/30 at the very best.

It also makes us wonder if Williams is vulnerable in round two. Maybe the love for the Junk Yard Dog has started to dwindle in his time away from the team. His matchup vs Bonner certainly wasn’t a great sign.

Ford 54% > Garbajosa 46%

Tied for the closest matchup of the first round, T.J. Ford managed to escape with a victory if nothing else.

Garbajosa is a quality matchup, but he was also one of the few options who played fewer games for Toronto than Ford did. Will Ford still be able to keep up against some of the Raptors long-tenured players?

Their matchup:

Williams vs Ford:

A clash of two styles. T.J. Ford brought flair, flash, and excitement every time he stepped on the court. Jerome Williams brought a hard-hat, his lunch pail, and a sledgehammer.

It’s not that Ford didn’t play hard. His injuries indicate he might have been too reckless in his play, and too willing to put his body on the line. There was just a difference in mentality. Ford was there to play a beautiful game of basketball. Williams was there to make sure a beautiful game never broke out.

Williams has Ford beat in terms of time with the team. He also was the player who wanted to be here. Ford, after being moved to the bench, wanted a trade.

Even after the first round, Williams still should be favored, just not by as much as we originally thought.