T.J. Ford is quick on his feet and quick with a smile, and this season he's driving the Bucks with his shooting, slashing, passing and leadership. It's a welcome role for a 22-year-old guy who's really in is first true NBA season.

At the point for the Milwaukee Bucks, Ford is back from his spinal cord injury and playing better than ever. He's averaging 36 minutes per game, nearly 13 points, four boards and 7.2 assists per game. He's the team's general, and early in the season, he's more than held his own with some of the best players in the league.

After a Wednesday practice and big Tuesday (Nov. 29, 2005) night victory over the Dallas Mavericks, the Bucks' starting point guard sat down for a quick Milwaukee Talks with OnMilwaukee.com.

OMC: Tell us about the big overtime win against the Mavericks.

T.J.: Big win. Especially because we had lost two in a row. You know, you want to protect your home court. And, we dropped one the other night against Detroit, so it was just important not to lose three in a row ... we must win every night, you know, until we establish that respect.

OMC: What's the biggest difference playing without Michael Redd (who was out with an injury for the Dallas game)?

T.J.: It gave everyone added opportunity to play and play freely off each other. Last night we did and had to do a good job. We played like we played the first three games; everybody moved the ball and everybody got their shot attempts.

OMC: What's with the headband? Sometimes it's white, other nights it's black. Some games, you don't wear it. Is there a rhyme or reason?

T.J.: No, man. I just keep it on as long as I can. Sometimes I get frustrated and take it off, but it's just part of the style now.

OMC: Seems like you got a lot of tick-tack fouls called on you when you guarded Allen Iverson.

T.J.: Definitely, I hear you. He didn't even give me the opportunity to play him. I think he came out really aggressive, and once I got one foul he just kept coming. So, he didn't really give me a chance to really defend him and be aggressive on him. That's how it goes some nights. He's a superstar in this league, so some nights calls go his way.