Raymond Felton: 2013-14 Season Review and Analysis

Best Moment of The Season:

You know what? I don’t even think there was a best moment of the season for him. Maybe the title should be changed to “Anticlimactic Moment of The Season.” With that being said, here’s Felton yawning in the huddle against the Kings, which, by the way, the Knicks lost.

Worst Moment of The Season:

Of course, this is a very easy one to guess. Facing multiple felony gun charges in New York City, a place with some of the most strictest gun laws in the country, while being in the midst of a nasty divorce is certainly not good, one would think. Getting mocked by a heckler over these charges is not the best thing, either. Same with getting dissed on a Fabolous track. But in all seriousness, what half-witted person would bring multiple unlicensed guns, yet, a gun into New York City, along with an 18 round armor-piercing bullet clip inserted in one of them? This guy *Raymond Felton smiling while candidly pointing at himself*

Shortly after Felton got arrested, Deron Williams provided the best quote to sum up the situation:

"“I got my license to carry in like 26 states, but I’m not bringing my gun to New York City…I know better than that.”"

It makes me sad, because, despite the feeble-minded decision to hold somebody at gunpoint, Ray probably does know better. As if the season wasn’t bad enough, his arrest made the season even darker, probably the darkest season ever since the 2007-08 season, the last Isiah Thomas-ran team.

Future: 

Ultimately, it all comes down to the legal system. Felton is scheduled to go back to court on June 2nd, in which grand jury action may take place. The mantra “innocent until proven guilty” speaks to itself for a reason.

However, from a basketball standpoint, why would anyone hold onto someone that may end up incarcerated? Felton is due $3.7M next season and has a player option for 2015-16. If convicted on charges, then his contract should be bought out, regardless, even if that brings down the 2015 cap space just an itsy bit. If he ends up not getting convicted on gun charges, then hopefully a new coach (perhaps Steve Kerr?) can turn him into an operative backup point guard, because nobody can take another minute of Felton getting major minutes. Also, Phil Jackson can try and bait a team into suiting for him as a trade piece. I mean, Masai Ujiri only did that twice to the Knicks front office. Maybe Phil can seduce someone. Don’t leave that out of the picture.

Overall Grade: F

A big fat F for Felton. I’m not just doing that for the sake of handing out an F; he had the worst season of his career and he may never replicate that again, unless he doesn’t go to jail. As Blazer fans said, the “Feltdown” was imminent. Such callous numbers and possible jail time happening in the same season is a big disgrace.

Averaging single digit points as a starter getting 30+ a night, as well as only topping rookies that were passengers of their team tank mobiles in certain statistical categories, is just inexcusable. Felton, who turns 30 in June, should be in his prime right now. After this season, he’s nowhere near close to his prime; he’s making a name for himself in Knicks point guard purgatory.