Raymond Felton: Just What The Knicks Needed
Big C) The new season is off to a great start. A few weeks ago the focus was on “What will Carmelo Anthony do with Amar’e Stoudemire being out for 6-8 weeks?” I always had my mind on Raymond Felton as the answer for the Knicks. Felton came off one of his worst seasons since his Bobcat days. Last season Raymond Felton was shooting 40% from the field on the Blazers. On the Blazers he was labeled an out-of-shape, selfish player that was not good for the locker room.
These stereotypes were completely different from Raymond Felton’s days as a Knick in the 2010-11 season. That year, Raymond Felton was playing like an all-star excelling on the offensive end and playing solid defense (1.8 steals). Felton showed that he was the leader the Knicks were looking for at the point guard position.
On offense Felton was able to find the open man as well as run the pick and roll. In fact Felton had a career high as a Knick with 9 assists a game. Felton was also the Knicks second highest scorer with 17 points a game. In other words, Felton was flat out balling.
Now, as the Knicks work their way through the 2012-2013 season, Felton has to be the guy that is the difference maker. Since Felton left the Knicks, the Knicks have not had a full time point guard. Billups did not play a full healthy season with the Knicks. Lin only played 14 games and Toney Douglas was not suited for the point guard role.
This season the pressure will not just be on Carmelo Anthony but also on Raymond Felton who is replacing the fan favorite Jeremy Lin. So far Raymond Felton seems ready for the added pressure. He's in shape for the new season and ready to prove doubters wrong.
Felton's strengths:
1. He can excel in the pick and roll offense. He knows how to score and pass on the pick and roll. With Amar’e being out, expect to see the pick and roll play with Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks’ big men Chandler, Wallace, Camby, and Kurt Thomas.
2. He has the ability to find the open cutter or open man. This is where guys like J.R. Smith and Ronnie Brewer can benefit. With the Knicks not being stacked with scorers they will need ball movement and players cutting to the hole as much as possible. Novak can also benefit with Felton being on the court.
3. He has the ability to hit the open shot and drive to the hole. You often see guards in the NBA who only want to shoot or only want to drive. However, Felton is a player that can drive and draw a foul as well as pull up for the mid-range shot.
4. He is a good one-on-one defender. On the defensive end of the court he along with J.R. Smith and Brewer will cause problems for opponents.
5. He also knows how to push the ball on the break and play well in the half court.
6. He has one of the quickest first steps in the league to get to the hole. He is also a player who can create his own shot and take the big shot when needed.
Felton's weaknesses:
1. At times he makes bad passes and turns the ball over.
2. He also exhibits poor shot selection.