The Definitive Raymond Felton Thread

[ziggy]

Lately a lot of our threads wind up being discussions about Ray and his ability/inability to be an effective PG for the Cats. So, instead of having all of the Ray talk scattered we can just gripe/defend/discuss it all in this thread.

First, here are my issues with Ray
* This is Ray's 4th season in the league, 3 of those 4 seasons he has shot under 40% from the field. To put it in perspective, DJ is shooting better from three point range than Ray is overall
* 3 different coaches (I'm not really sure if you can call a coach ) have seen something in his game that makes them decide to play him at SG rather than what everyone perceived as his natural position PG.

* If you play him at SG he is too small and can't shoot!!

* This is the issue that gives me an ulcer... Despite having the worst FG% on the court (38.8% as of today) he insists on taking the bulk of the end of game shots. With that FG% he should be the LAST option.



On the positive side he has heart and is a hard worker, but I think we've seen enough to realize that the Ray as Charlotte Bobcats starting PG for the next 10 years simply isn't going to happen.

I've had enough, he needs to be benched or traded.

Have a nice day

[spectre]

And it absolutely drives me up a wall when Ray just has to be the one to shoot the damn thing at the most crucial times. He just dribbles some clock off and then tries to be like MJ - and he cant. I do like Ray as a spot up shooter in the open. Many times you see him be the man who gets the kick out and he drains a shot. That is where he is at his best in shooting. But he suxs as a creator of his own shot, cause he cannot create his own shot.

From the game thread.

My question is why Larry Brown lets him do that. We can blame Felton for trying to take over, but at the end of the day it's LB who is the one allowing him to do it.

He could flat out bench him. He could tell him he'll get pulled after every stupid shot. He could get pulled when he doesn't make the pass.

LB is one of the best coaches out there. Why does he allow this to continually happen?

[spectre]

From the Observer:

Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown loves his point guard's intentions, toughness and accountability.
Raymond Felton's judgment, now that's something Brown needs to fine-tune.
“Raymond tries to do the right thing, but he tries to do too much,” Brown said after the Bobcats wasted a 17-point comeback in a 93-89 loss to the New York Knicks on Tuesday. “When you're driving to the goal, and not getting the call, you've got to be smarter than that.”
Brown was referring to Felton's awkward attempt at a layup with 48 seconds left and the Bobcats down two. That shot came eight seconds into the possession, never had a chance to go in, and led them right off the path to a victory.
Felton, 5-of-17 from the field, admitted that wasn't his best moment.
“I know there have been some situations where I get up in the air and other guys are open,” he said. “Maybe next time” he won't commit to shooting so soon.

From the offiical site:

(On Raymond Felton)
"I thought he played great. Raymond is trying to do the right thing but I think he’s trying to do too much."

[bing!]

Tenaciousness and willingness does not equate immediate result, and that, right now, is what the team, players and your run of the mill fans want. In his four seasons in the league he's proven he could be a more than adequate back-up PG on a very solid team, where he could chip in as an ocassional SG, but his future stint in Charlotte is under a big '?'

If trading him (and Matty or Nazr maybe) could yield a solid SG/SF and a tough biggy, I'm all game.

[ohara831]

Those were two great posts Spectre. The two quotes show how something can be said and translated differently or even having parts of the quote cut out. Also a very good point about LB allowing Ray to take over. I dont understand the time out call late, only to have Ray drive for a layup? They did not need a TO to call that play, did they? The man has great heart, and plays thru injuries, but his judgment hurts us awful bad at times. It is just so frustrating. Great game, bad game, bad game, avg game, bad game, great game, avg game, bad game, bad game, etc... It just goes on and on, and there seem to be as many bad games as the great and avg combined. Or maybe his bad ones just stick out more. Crap, I dont know. I just want to win guys. I just want this team to be a Playoff caliber team. Dont have to be a 60 win team every year. Just be a team that at least isn't a perennial Lottery team.

[spectre]

That's exactly it.

I know LB wants him out there for his defense, and he's also doing all the little things (higher rebounding, steals, etc.) that LB loves. For most of the game he played solid last night except the entire team playing bad defensively in the 1st...think I read somewhere he was 2 of 6 (?) after 3 quarters...then shot like 10 times in the 4th.

As hard as LB is on him...and I've seen him on TV chewing his ass out...why does this seem to continually happen?

[coordinator0]

I think we should trade him if he hasn't shown any interest in re-signing next year. In fact I wouldn't mind trading him for a first round pick if that's our best offer and it's near the deadline, I just want to get something for him. This all changes if he has shown interest in staying here, at a reasonable price of course. This next draft might not be star-laden but I think it's going to be deep, and we could use the extra pick we get (or maybe it would be the only first round pick we have, depending on how the rest of the season goes) to get a true SG. Unless it's a multiple team deal, I don't see us getting good value in terms of a player for Felton and I would rather get a draft pick than trade him for expirings/keep him and let him walk.

[dav7z]

Im all for making a smart trade for Felton but damn? A lot act as if hes a bust or just trash , no respect for him at all. The kid has value more than most think on hear . After you guys finish blaming Felton for a ever thing . Whos next??
First it was hang nail Rush that made us loose, then Boggans, on to Premo, To JAKE , to May , and Morrison and now its Felton on the SHIT LIST,Whos next Bell DJ , Diaw , Mek Crash . Some times this list changes from game to game at Bobcatsplanet.
As for me i prefer to let L Brown make those desisions for a couple years and let him decide who should play. I truely think thats our best chances to get to the playoffs.
If he wants to beanch Felton now ill go along with it . But i don't think hes going to start DJ til Brown thinks DJ is ready . Clearly Brown thinks Felton is the better choice right now ,or he would have all ready made the switch.

[LB4President]

I would think that we are going to hold onto him until the deadline, unless there is a no brainer type deal that pops up. Once teams get a sense of urgency they will be willing to give up more for Felton. Portland for example may be willing to part with one of their swingmen if they view Felton as the final piece to there title run puzzle, but for now I think we are stuck with him. I would be willing to give him up for a slightly less talented two guard if we got a reasonable pick out of the deal.

[TattoodCats4life]

I would think that we are going to hold onto him until the deadline, unless there is a no brainer type deal that pops up. Once teams get a sense of urgency they will be willing to give up more for Felton. Portland for example may be willing to part with one of their swingmen if they view Felton as the final piece to there title run puzzle, but for now I think we are stuck with him. I would be willing to give him up for a slightly less talented two guard if we got a reasonable pick out of the deal.

Felton for McCants and a non lottery first rounder. I'm not sur what other fodder would need to be added to make it work salary wise.