Brown on Raymond's development

[dnbman]

http://www.nba.com/bobcats/video/200...159/index.html

About the last two minutes Brown gushes on Felton's game. Brown seems to think that Felton is figuring out the point guard position like Billups did, which isn't to say that Raymond's skill set is or career will be anything like Billups'. The biggest thing Brown mentions is Raymond not playing with so much pressure on him, which is probably true.

[dav7z]

http://www.nba.com/bobcats/video/200...159/index.html

About the last two minutes Brown gushes on Felton's game. Brown seems to think that Felton is figuring out the point guard position like Billups did, which isn't to say that Raymond's skill set is or career will be anything like Billups'. The biggest thing Brown mentions is Raymond not playing with so much pressure on him, which is probably true.

I agree with Brown , Felton seems to have figured it out. He took Billups out of his game last night. He looked quicker stronger and had as much control as Billups had last night . Hes playing with more confidence and less pressure . Being the number three or four option has helped lots. I don't think he had the shot clock WAS on his back but one time last night. Jax has helped lots in that area. Ive noticed Felton can hit the three ball if hes not hurried.

[dnbman]

I agree with Brown , Felton seems to have figured it out. He took Billups out of his game last night. He looked quicker stronger and had as much control as Billups had last night . Hes playing with more confidence and less pressure . Being the number three or four option has helped lots. I don't think he had the shot clock WAS on his back but one time last night. Jax has helped lots in that area. Ive noticed Felton can hit the three ball if hes not hurried.

He vastly improved his shooting over his three years at UNC, probably as a result of being more comfortable in the flow of the offense. I've been waiting for him to do that professionally, believing he would make that improvement last year. Hopefully, he sorts it out this year. If he finishes shooting 43+% fg and close to 40% from 3, I'll be very satisfied.

[playoffs...PLAYOFFS?]

interesting to think that he is not playing with much pressure on him...considering that this is his last year on this contract and he wants to stay here... he's got to have a good year for us to give him a new contract or another team to pick him up

its also interesting that this is the lowest amount of points/gm and assists/gm that he has averaged since his first year.. granted he is also playing about the same amount of mins as his first year

[etothet]

The difference is he is more effective. If less assists and less points mean more wins, then so be it. I think that is what he has figured out. Fg percentage goes up, fewer turnovers, more steals, more wins. Ultimately that is why players compete. They want to win. Raymond is allowing the game to come to him. He is not concerned with assists or how many points he scores. He is just playing solid basketball. I for one am so glad to see Raymond being very efficient. The statistics he is concerned about is the W's.

[etothet]

If he continues to play like he is playing now, the bobcats will offer him a contract. If they won't, there will several teams looking for a point guard who plays solid defense, and can easily give you 12ppg, 6asst, 4 boards, 2 steals and 1 turnover every night. On top of that, a point guard who can adjust his game to be an integral part of his franchise making the playoffs for the first time.

interesting to think that he is not playing with much pressure on him...considering that this is his last year on this contract and he wants to stay here... he's got to have a good year for us to give him a new contract or another team to pick him up

its also interesting that this is the lowest amount of points/gm and assists/gm that he has averaged since his first year.. granted he is also playing about the same amount of mins as his first year

[dnbman]

interesting to think that he is not playing with much pressure on him...considering that this is his last year on this contract and he wants to stay here... he's got to have a good year for us to give him a new contract or another team to pick him up

People feel pressure for different reasons. Raymond is the kind of guy who wants to win and be successful, or as Brown says please people. I'm sure he wants to get paid, but I don't think that's his primary motivation like other players.

its also interesting that this is the lowest amount of points/gm and assists/gm that he has averaged since his first year.. granted he is also playing about the same amount of mins as his first year

Yeah, he's playing five lesson minutes than his last two years. I think you'll see an increase in scoring and assists as he gets more comfortable and learns when he can be more aggressive.

[spectre]

I think originally he was playing with more pressure because of his contract situation...and LB slightly alluded to that in his conference.

Looking around the blogs and at one in particular (so named from our illustrious mascot) I find it highly ironic that last night's game Felton's play was dubbed "mediocre" and that "he also let Tony Parker school him from tip to horn"...yet Parker only scored 9 points (he averages 17) and he commited SEVEN TOs. If Felton had had 7 TOs we'd be ready to crucify him. Parker did have 10 assists, but you can hold down a player of Parker's calibre only so long. Felton took away what Parker does best, which is driving/scoring.

They also remarkably decry Felton for not taking more shots!

Really! So now some want him taking MORE shots?

In my opinion Felton is playing his best ball ever and by a big margin. He's truly falling into that Chauncey Billups mode...letting everyone else get theirs during the game and looking to step up later in the game when the other options are failing. All Bobcats' fans should be THRILLED with this development.

[Walt Cronkite]

In one of the Bobcats live preview shows he was interviewed and said something to the jist of "I stopped worrying about trying to get a certain number of assists and just let the game come to me". I was shocked, because as disappointed as I've been in Felton in the past, I never imagined he'd be one of those players. I wish I would've written about it when it happened. Anyway, I'm glad he's found the light, I've been appreciating his play of late.

[dnbman]

In one of the Bobcats live preview shows he was interviewed and said something to the jist of "I stopped worrying about trying to get a certain number of assists and just let the game come to me". I was shocked, because as disappointed as I've been in Felton in the past, I never imagined he'd be one of those players. I wish I would've written about it when it happened. Anyway, I'm glad he's found the light, I've been appreciating his play of late.

I'm a little confused. By "those" players, do you mean the kind that are worried about assist numbers or the guy that is letting the game to him? When you say shocked, do you mean negatively?