Raymond Felton in Hero Mode: Fact or Fiction

[ziggy]

Cast you vote:

Fact: Yes, Ray has some sort of hero complex that overwhelms at the end of the games. This complex forces him to put the fate of the team on the hands of his 40% shooting and ignore higher percentage shooters that are in better position to get a basket.

Fiction: At the end of games his teamates simply are not getting open and are not putting themselves in a position to get an open shot. Maybe some of the other guys just don't have the stones to step up and take the shot with the game on the line. Therefore with no other options Ray is just stepping up and doing what he needs to do

I need a hero (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_zXvg3binA)

Cast your vote and let me know your thoughts.... and yes, I know that this thread will start a huge fight :biggrin:

[teej]

A little of both. But more Ray hero mode. I've seen Boris hit 3's very late in games, and Crash drive in. So I think it's Ray not calling the right plays in the half court set.

[BRNC]

Guys I'd like to point this out...LB has pulled guys out and sat them for the remainder of games for "not playing the right way"...and I've yet to see a game when he has not drawn the plays up on the side lines at the end...if you don't like the plays I think you need to start calling out the guy (LB) calling the plays 'cause if Ray were in "hero mode" his a** would be benched and DJ starting...think about it...

[rsxnova]

I dont think he is in "Hero" mode like most people describe. He is the last guy to take shots because no one else will(other than Flip:rolleyes:). I could see this changing when we bring in a go to scorer.

[Ghost Kat]

FACT......Period

[spectre]

Guys I'd like to point this out...LB has pulled guys out and sat them for the remainder of games for "not playing the right way"...and I've yet to see a game when he has not drawn the plays up on the side lines at the end...if you don't like the plays I think you need to start calling out the guy (LB) calling the plays 'cause if Ray were in "hero mode" his a** would be benched and DJ starting...think about it...

He's pulled Hendo for taking a quick shot and he pulled Flip vs. Chicago for taking an ill advised shot.

But don't look at the man behind the curtain...nothing to see there.

[Toocool]

I believe its a bit of half-half. Ray does have a somewhat hero complex, but in a way his teammates don't wanna go open to take the clutch shot.

[Dcarnys]

He does but it's only because he's the only one willing to throw up the clutch shot.

[ohara831]

He does but it's only because he's the only one willing to throw up the clutch shot.


I just cant believe that is the case. I have to beleive Crash or Raja are more than willing to take the last shot. I just think Ray calls for a clear out so he can take the shot and the others dont want to rock the boat. Maybe no one has spoken with him in the locker room. If that is so, then it is everyone to blame - teamates, coaches, everyone. But the boat needs to be rocked.

[spectre]

I just cant believe that is the case. I have to beleive Crash or Raja are more than willing to take the last shot. I just think Ray calls for a clear out so he can take the shot and the others dont want to rock the boat. Maybe no one has spoken with him in the locker room. If that is so, then it is everyone to blame - teamates, coaches, everyone. But the boat needs to be rocked.

Then why don't they take it, iso their player and call for a clear out? It's not like Felton doesn't pass it to anyone during those stretches.

Raja does not create shots for himself. Ever. He's either spot up or shoots off screens.

Crash...teams have figured him out. Over the last few games he's been taking a lot of perimeter shots (hence the low FG%) because his defender is sagging off wanting him to take the outside shot. Since the only way Crash can create is off the drive then he's pretty much ineffective.

Boris should be the guy...but the couple of times he has taken the last shot it's usually from the perimeter. We need to spread the floor and iso him on the block. IMO that's the best solution we have right now.

Flip was brought on to alleviate it somewhat, but you have negatives as well as positives with him. If he's in there we're going to see 1 vs 1 play...he won't pass it.

Felton (until Flip) is the ONLY guy we have who can create his own shot. You can get mad at him for not delivering...but to put the blame on him for doing it is pretty shortsigted.

[KT#20]

Like I noted in the other thread, Wallace is an awful player in the clutch. His scoring prowess disappears completely during those situations. I only see four guys on this team who can have the ball in their hands during those situations and deliver; that's Felton, Diaw, Murray, and Augustin. Augustin didn't do it last season, but he has potential. Felton and Murray are our best options at the moment.

[ohara831]

Crash is not who I want taking ajump shot at the end. But I'd much prefer him take the ball and drive to the hoop like he does so often during the rest of the game. Just take the ball to the hoop. Odds are good he at least gets fouled if not make the shot.

[Keetch]

Of course Felton has a hero mode; isn't that obvious? At times, it pays off very dramatically, but at other times its a fail.

If Felton can get a good shot off, fine; but often he can't. Often Diaw and Bell are left standing with an open shot as he does that. The defenses have figured out that Felton isn't going to kick out and collapse on him. Wouldn't it be wonderful to see a kickout to Diaw, Bell, Augustin, Murray or even god forbid, Radmanovic (he's at least got to be good for that)? I don't believe that any of those guys is unwilling to take a game winner. No way.

I don't trust Murray under pressure yet. Against the Bulls, at the end he was rushing his shots, i.e. chucking that sucker.

I think to say on one hand that we don't have anyone either 1)capable of creating a last shot or 2)doesn't want to; is a huge condemnation of the team. If that's the case, how on earth do we compete for a playoff spot? Not to say I don't agree :P

[spectre]

Crash is not who I want taking ajump shot at the end. But I'd much prefer him take the ball and drive to the hoop like he does so often during the rest of the game. Just take the ball to the hoop. Odds are good he at least gets fouled if not make the shot.


Crash...teams have figured him out. Over the last few games he's been taking a lot of perimeter shots (hence the low FG%) because his defender is sagging off wanting him to take the outside shot. Since the only way Crash can create is off the drive then he's pretty much ineffective.

It's not like he wants to take those perimeter shots that he's resorted to the last few games.

Other teams have him figured out.

[ohara831]

It's not like he wants to take those perimeter shots that he's resorted to the last few games.

Other teams have him figured out.

Even tho they sag off him, he can still take it to the hoop. I mean, I trust him and that to be more effective than Ray trying to do something. That just seems to fail over and over again. Once in a while it works, but so seldom it still makes it not worth it. But I do understand what you are saying about the defense and Crash. But it doesn't stop him from taking it to the hoop during the rest of the game. It should not stop him at the end either. I'm sure I am not the only one who feels that way, and I know there are many who feel Ray is the safest bet to take the shot. Just different strokes for different folks.

[dav7z]

I just cant believe that is the case. I have to beleive Crash or Raja are more than willing to take the last shot. I just think Ray calls for a clear out so he can take the shot and the others dont want to rock the boat. Maybe no one has spoken with him in the locker room. If that is so, then it is everyone to blame - teamates, coaches, everyone. But the boat needs to be rocked.



Its no way Brown lets Felton do what he wants ....Or DJ would be starting . Its no doubt in my mind Brown is in control. So if Felton is shooting at the end of the games its because Brown tlod him to.

[spectre]

Even tho they sag off him, he can still take it to the hoop. I mean, I trust him and that to be more effective than Ray trying to do something. That just seems to fail over and over again. Once in a while it works, but so seldom it still makes it not worth it. But I do understand what you are saying about the defense and Crash. But it doesn't stop him from taking it to the hoop during the rest of the game. It should not stop him at the end either. I'm sure I am not the only one who feels that way, and I know there are many who feel Ray is the safest bet to take the shot. Just different strokes for different folks.

See the last few games...it hasn't been working at all for him. Right now Crash is shooting 32% from the field, and it'd be worse if not for his .500 game vs. NJ. That's the lowest of his career. Not only are they sagging off him they also collapse into the paint...remember that HE doesn't pass when he drives either. He didn't even have an assist til the last game or so.

I don't think Felton's necesarily the safest bet to take it at all, but I can see why LB would go that way. No one else can create for himself off the dribble like he can.

I'd like to try to feed Boris on the block a few times. In one scenario we could pair with him Bell, Rad & DJ on the perimeter and whoever's rebounding best between Crash & TC.

The supporting cast can fluctuate, but the primary would be Boris.

[Scottley Crue]

I don't know if he's got a hero complex, but I do know he's allergic to being a good jumpshooter. I now cringe everytime he shoots something other than a layup. Now, I know he's got the shot clock on his back sometimes, but I've gotten to the point that I'd almost rather take the violation and let the defense set up that have him chuck it up again.

It'd be one thing if he was a good shooter trying to shoot out of a slump. However, if he's proven anything in his time in the league, it's that he can't shoot a jumper. Yet he continues to jack them up. For me, Raymond is aggrivating to no end...he can be good sometimes, but his decision making (same mistakes over and over) prevents him from being consistently good. Which he could be.

[ohara831]

See the last few games...it hasn't been working at all for him. Right now Crash is shooting 32% from the field, and it'd be worse if not for his .500 game vs. NJ. That's the lowest of his career. Not only are they sagging off him they also collapse into the paint...remember that HE doesn't pass when he drives either. He didn't even have an assist til the last game or so.

I don't think Felton's necesarily the safest bet to take it at all, but I can see why LB would go that way. No one else can create for himself off the dribble like he can.

I'd like to try to feed Boris on the block a few times. In one scenario we could pair with him Bell, Rad & DJ on the perimeter and whoever's rebounding best between Crash & TC.

The supporting cast can fluctuate, but the primary would be Boris.

I can buy Boris being the man to try a few of them at crunch time. I'd buy that.

[docend24]

Wait a minute that poll is a serious question? No way. It's clear.

[Ghost Kat]

I think we are missing the main thing about this Hero question. It's not just those last secound shots. It's those times in when the score is close and Felton pulls up for a horrible jumper and misses badly as usual. I'll give credit that the other players do seem scared to shoot. But from the starting five, Wallace is a slasher, Not a shooter. Diaw for what reason thinks he has to pass first. Raja can shoot, but can't create his own shot. Tyson....Yeah right.

So Felton is the one forced to shoot it, But he takes bad shots and the good shots dont go in because he's a bad shooter. Felton will have a couple big games just like last year. Everyone will jump on his dick and start saying "I told You" while holding his nutt sack. Then as usual Felton goes back to being Clark Kent five games in a row.

Felton tries to take the offense over, especially in crunch time. He a bad shooter and this year seems to be a bad play maker. So that one year contract is looking better and better.