Monday, February 20th, 2012

Raymond Felton: Head Coach “doesn’t believe in me”

Published on February 19, 2012 by Scott Shirley   ·   No Comments

Portland Trail Blazers guard Raymond Felton is having a down season and after a recent loss he called out the Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan.

In the game Felton was awful and that is being kind. Felton played a season low 24 minutes while shooting 0 for 7 from the field. Felton also committed 5 turnovers. For the game Portland only scored 71 points and lost to the Clippers by three.

Felton has had a disappointing season and after the lost to the Clippers Felton let all the frustration out.

Felton told CNSNW.com the following after the game.

“I know I’m struggling, but it’s hard to perform the way you know how when you know they don’t have confidence in you,” Felton said. “Never in my days playing basketball, have I felt like a coach wasn’t confident in my abilities. It’s hard to play knowing that. Coming in and out of games is throwing my rhythm off, but it’s something that I’ll get through.”

“Tonight was one of those nights where it was hard to get into the game knowing every mistake I made would be magnified,” Felton said. “It’s to the point where the only person I could turn to was my mom.”

This is not good when the point guard and head coach are not on the same page. This is also not the first time Felton has questioned McMillan. Earlier this week Felton compared McMillan offensive system to Knicks head coach Mike D’Antoni. Felton played some with the Knicks last season.

Here is what he told the Portland Tribune.

“Look at Jeremy Lin,” Felton said. “Some people’s systems are for players. D’Antoni is one of those coaches where people excel in his offense. He’s a great offensive coach.

“But I’m not going to sit here and knock anything Coach Nate has done. We’re all fighting together, trying to figure this thing out. Being his point guard, I’m with him.”

I could see where Felton is coming from last season with the Knicks in 54 games Felton averaged a career high 17.1 points per game. Compared to this season where he is averaging a career low 10.1 assists.

With the Knicks Felton also averaged 9.1 assists per game compared to this season where he is only averaging 6.4 assists. Felton is also averaging about 6 minutes less per game with Portland.

Felton is  shooting a career low 36 % from the field this season. He is also shooting a career low from three 20 %.

Felton played his best basketball with the Knicks no question. He is best fitted for that style the Knicks play run and gun. He is not fitted for a slower style offense like Portland plays.

Portland has lost 6 out of their last 10 so something has to change. I think McMillan should let Felton have more freedom within the offense. If your point guard isn’t producing you are not going to win many games in the NBA . The Trail Blazers have to change something up and maybe playing a faster pace offense might work.

The All Star break can’t get here soon enough for Felton and the Trail Blazers.

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