For the last few years Felton has played in Larry Brown’s controlled system. In Larry Brown’s system the players have to run down the shot clock which is not always a good option for a point guard with Raymond Felton’s skills. On the Knicks Felton will be in a better situation.

On the Knicks he has the green light to run the offense and a coach that will give him the flexibility to make decisions on his own. With the Knicks he will be in a system where his talent can be used to its maximum ability. Currently Felton has one of the best handles and first steps in the game.

He also has the ability to switch up speeds when he is in the halfcourt set or pushing the ball. With D’Antoni coaching there will times when Felton has a mismatch that he will be allowed to score on his man. Mike D’Antoni’s pick and roll and run and gun system is tailor made for Felton. This season Raymond Felton will be the key player that will be helpful to coach D’Antoni, Amar’e Stoudemire, and the development of Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari and second year guard Toney Douglas.

Here is what Felton brings to table that Knicks have been missing.

Mike D’Antoni

For Mike D’Antoni he is looking for a player that has a voice in the huddle, on the court, and in the locker room. Felton fits that bill. On the Bobcats Raymond Felton was their vocal leader. He knew how to talk to his teammates to get his point across. No matter how upset he got with his teammates he never called them out. With so much division in the past, Felton has the right personality to help the Knicks stay together as a unit.

Not only that, but Mike D’Antoni is finally getting the point guard he needs to run on the break. Many times for the last two seasons we have seen Chris Duhon slow up the pace of the game when Mike D’Antoni was waving for Duhon to push the ball. With Felton, there will be no need to force him to run because he is master of execution on the open court.

Danilo and Chandler

With Danilo and Chandler both returning and looking to elevate their games they could not ask for a better point guard to lead them. Wilson Chandler will now have a point should remember that many of Gerald Wallace dunks were passes from Raymond Felton. On the open court I expect Raymond Felton and Chandler to control the open court like Felton and Wallace did. Chandler’s athleticism will really pay off this year.

Danilo Gallinari will also benefit from Felton because he will have a point guard that will actually look to pass him the ball when he is open or setup in the post area. This will be big for Gallo because now he knows if he cuts to the hole Felton will find him. If not Felton is a master at eye and hand communication to get player where they need to be if they are in the wrong position.

Amar’e Stodemire

He may not have Steve Nash, but then again Stoudemire may not need him. Amar’e Stoudemire’s number #1 play to score is the pick and roll. This just happens to be Raymond Felton’s specialty. So not only will we see this benefit Amar’e this year but he can possibly pick up where he left off last season with Nash. Besides the pick and roll game Felton is gifted at getting to the hole to setup this teammates. This would allow for countless no look passes, bounce passes, or easy oops. You can bet if Amar’e’s man leaves Amar’e, Felton will find him all day. If Felton can hook up Okafor in the past, imagine what he could do with Amar’e Stoudemire who is a beast around the rim.

Toney Douglas

Raymond Felton can be a mentor for the Knicks point guard Toney Douglas. Felton’s and Toney’s games are very similar. They both like to play the passing lanes and drive to the hole. Toney Douglas’ main weakness is setting up the pick and roll. This is an area that Ramon Felton can help Douglas learn and how to apply it correctly.

These are Ramon Felton’s characteristics and strengths. At the end of the day, Raymond Felton will be more than just the Knicks point guard this season. He might be the glue or like I like call him, “the Reason” the Knicks make it to the playoffs.