I know its only been 5 games, but I am really impressed with Felton. He's a bigger improvement over Andre then I thought he'd be. He pushes the tempo, plays tough D, and already has more of a bond with his teammates than Andre did after 2 seasons. Props to Chad Buchanon, Larry Miller, and Nate on the trade.
Easy now. I'm certainly warming to him, and he's undoubtedly more of a fun guy to be around than Dre, but Dre will almost certainly remain the better player. Hell, Dre can play uptempo AND he's got a three point shot now. But yes, after last game, Felton is becoming one of my favorites. You know, like Alvin Williams, Robert Pack and Viktor Khryapa!
I am quickly realizing that Felton is a love/hate. At times Im like, "Fuck what the hell was that???" and then other times its like, "Holy shit, that was awesome!" He doesnt seem to be one of those players that just disappears on the floor. Good and bad.
I think its so nice not to have Rudy out there missing threes, playing terrible defense, and making awful choices! So many were upset we traded him. Its nice having a PG who can make a 3.
Yeah he always seems like he is about to get the ball poked away when he is driving to the basket. But for the most part he controls it. Needless to say when he keeps his turn overs down we play well since he is always attacking.
He is like that super talented 7th grade PG who looks awesome but always looks slightly out of control and could turn it over at any moment. Ok, that may be a little harsh and extreme but that is the first thing comes to mind when he is dribbling in the lane.
I don't see a big improvement, myself. Miller could post guys up, which Felton cannot, and Miller also played tough D. I like Felton, but I just don't see him as a huge upgrade over Miller. Also, can Felton throw a better lob pass than Miller? I don't think so.
The biggest difference to me is Ray's ability to collapse a defense with his dribble penetration. Miller, while maybe able to do it, was reluctant. He wanted to turn his back and post his defender up, where as Felton is constantly getting his defender back on his feet. First rule of a succesful offense is to collapse the defense and put the pressure on them. ...Now, Felton must work on the turnovers. Taking care of the ball was what Miller did better then anyone.
With Portland having only one player you must double team to contain (Aldridge) - Felton's outside shot is a big upgrade - it is much harder to cheat off him than it was off Miller. You need multiple guys that require a double team to afford a PG that does not stretch the defense (as Boston had with Rondo when the big 3 were a bit younger).
We are playing uptempo now. A PG who always wants to post up or back down his defender kills the tempo.
LA compares the two: http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/35027/lamarcus-aldridge-problem-solver
He did? When did that happen? Russell Westbrook used to run circles around 'Dre. It was refreshing seeing Westbrook get caught up trying to beat Felton one-on-one instead of just abusing poor 'Dre.
Felton has played kind of crappy IMO. He is shooting 19% 3PT! I'm hopeful he improves and I overall love the way the team is playing but PG looks like our biggest weakness right now. Felton needs to stop eating those damn cupcakes. Seriously to be an active NBA player and carry around 20lbs of FAT he must be pigging out at Taco Bell with XXL chalupas after every game and twice on off days or something.
Felton has done a lot of good things but I'd be happier if he could learn to dribble the ball less than 5 ft off the floor, which is why he is losing it in traffic.
Two very different point guards. As we have seen Felton can collapse the D which makes for a lot more open shots while Miller had trouble collapsing D's but could take a player into the post and post him up, have yet to really see Felton do anything like that. Felton makes teams pay for doubling LMA more then Miller could because of the 3 point shot. Felton is faster and while not as crafty on D he is able to handle faster point guards were Miller would have problems if he couldn't pick there pocket on there way up. Miller is a better passer especially with the lob but we never played fast with him so the open looks a point guard can create off a fast break weren't there for Miller while they are there for Felton. Miller turned the ball over less, Felton can and will turn the ball over a lot because of what he tries to do with his speed. Just a few comparisons i'v drawn over the first 5 games.
The biggest differences I like most is Felton's shot from the perimeter and his ability to guard quick PGs. He isn't stellar at either one, but better than Miller, IMO. I loved Miller on the Blazers just like I will love Felton too. Different animals on the court.
Maybe. But I actually doubt it. Three point shot is one of the few things that older guards can improve dramatically - see Kidd, Jason.
