When New Jersey guard Jason Kidd was a rookie with Dallas, Mavericks coach Dick Motta cracked wise about his poor jump shot by saying people in the league called him "Ason" because he had no 'J.'

Nine years later, Kidd is regarded by many as the best point guard in the league, is a career 40 percent shooter and he has the Nets in the NBA Finals for the second consecutive year.

Texas guard T.J. Ford, who shot 40.1 percent last season as a sophomore, hopes a similar fate will follow.

The poor shooting, his size (5-10, 165) and youth (he's 20) cast doubt on Ford being the right man for the Heat's No. 5 pick in the June 26 draft.

That combination is exactly what coach Pat Riley has said he doesn't want at point guard.

But Ford could be too tempting for the Heat to resist.