Jason Kidd vs. Raymond Felton: Who will be the Knicks starter?

The New York Knicks have upgraded their point guard depth significantly this offseason compared to last season. The postseason had a duo of a beat up Baron Davis and washed up Mike Bibby. Adding to this depth was Toney Douglas and of course Jeremy Lin. None of these players are on the Knicks roster for this year.

The Knicks added veteran Jason Kidd and brought back Raymond Felton. One man will start, but who will it be?

The Kidd signing came after the Knicks failed to acquire Steve Nash, who will now run the show in Laker Land.  Kidd is one of the best point guards ever and has proven at his age and the later part of his career he can lead a team to a championship ring. He is respected and is an unquestioned leader. He isn’t going to give you the 16 points and 10 assists like he did in his Jersey days, but he will get the ball to his superstar teammates, hit his shots when he’s open, and won’t turn the ball over.

Kidd will be a liability on defense especially against the Eastern Conference stud point guards in Deron Williams, Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo and Kyrie Irving. He isn’t going to give you major starter minutes but will most likely be in there at the end of the game. Kidd helped a veteran Dallas team beat Miami and win a championship; can he do the same thing with the Knicks two years later?

Felton is also back in a Knicks uniform for the second time in three years. He by far had his best year of his career in New York, but those were the Mike D’Antoni run and gun days. In a more half-court offense, the same that coach Mike Woodson runs, Felton averaged 11 points and 6 assists last season.

I feel like he will be more inspired and happier in New York playing with Carmelo Anthony and pick and roll buddy Amar’e Stoudemire. The one knock on Felton is that he can fall out of shape, but I don’t expect him to come to camp or start the season like that. He has to realize the Knicks are in a win-now mode and I don’t think the likes of Tyson Chandler, Marcus Camby and Kidd will allow their point guard to be chubby.

So who gets the edge?

I believe the Knicks should start Felton this upcoming season. Kidd has already expressed that he wouldn’t mind coming off the bench as long as he is on the court for clutch time. Even though Kidd said this when we all thought Jeremy Lin was going to return, he still has that mindset that he is ready to come off the bench, so you know he won’t complain.

I think Felton can keep up with more starters in the league and will fit well with Melo and STAT. Also Kidd should have the advantage over almost all backup point guards in the league.

Felton, JR Smith (Iman Shumpert when he comes back), Carmelo, Stoudemire, and Chandler is a sold starting five. A bench of Kidd, Camby, Steve Novak and Kurt Thomas is a very savvy bench. As long as Felton starts and Kidd finishes, the Knicks point guard spot is looking great for this upcoming season.