Comments on: Raymond Felton is really the man who can revive New York basketball

By: knightstrafe

knightstrafe — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 17:36:43 +0000

If Felton can settle in, go on a diet and get his game on par with last season, I’m tempted to say the knicks would be better off without Carmelo. Felton and Douglas would do until the Knicks could make a push for CP3 and the money could be better spent on a sharpshooter or a lockdown D SF in the mold of Artest who can limit other teams scoring while the Knicks pick and roll goes to work.

By: nbadork

nbadork — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 21:50:54 +0000

Solid point about Amare in his earlier years and I couldn’t agree with you more about the defensive toughness that Felton brings. Douglas and Felton will be getting a lot of run together and the pressure they bring is going to create a ton of fast break points. I’m excited for it all. Knick fans have an odd feel this season. Deep down we know that the current team right now will not be among the top 5 in the east and we will more than likley be fighting for the 8 spot. It’s a new feel and a new vibe. It’s like the guy who hasn’t had sex in forever, and then all of a sudden he gets a girl friend and he thinks its the greatest thing of all time because hes finally having sex. It may not be the greatest and the girl might not have a rack and maybe webbed toes, but it’s all good to him.

By: richmondboy

richmondboy — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 20:35:55 +0000

Although i share your thoughts about felton’s poor offensive play lately, calling him a “savior” is a bit of a stretch. Yes Amar’e had Steve Nash for the majority of his successful seasons, but lets not forget he won rookie of the year with Stephon Marbury and the following year (once Steph was traded to NYK) Amar’e produced very well with Leandro Barbosa as his point. So lets not overstate the value of having an All-time great point guard available for Amar’e to be successful.

Now back to Raymond, sure his offensive numbers leave much to be desired. However, the one area many in the media, including you, fail to point out is Felton’s stellar defense. Its a running joke whenever someone mentions defense in the same sentence with either the Knicks or Mike Dantoni. but its clear this season there is at least a real effort to play it. Not to mention the athleticism and players skilled enough to do so. Duhon was TERRIBLE on the defensive front last season, Felton not so much. In fact if you look he ranks in the top 10 among defensive point guards last season. Combine that with the continued progress of DWTDD (as you mentioned above) we now have a very aggressive and competent defensive backcourt. One Knicks fans haven’t seen since the years of Ward & Starks. Amar’e savior sure, Melo? hopefully, hell even Danilo could get that moniker without too much criticism. But Felton? C’mon Son