RealGM

As promised, I'm starting a Player of the Day series to tide us over through the long offseason. With weekend skips it should eat at least a little of the time leading up to training camp. Hope you guys enjoy.

SCHEDULE:
Week 1: Starters
Aug 28: Russell Westbrook
Aug 29: Paul George
Aug 30: Steven Adams
Aug 31: Patrick Patterson
Sept 1: Andre Roberson

Week 2: Bench
Sept 4: Enes Kanter
Sept 5: Alejandro Abrines
Sept 6: Raymond Felton
Sept 7: Jerami Grant
Sept 8: Doug McDermott

Week 3: Deep Bench
Sept 11: Terrance Ferguson
Sept 12: Dakari Johnson
Sept 13: Semaj Christon
Sept 14: Josh Huestis
Sept 15: Kyle Singler

Week 4: Odds and Ends
Sept 16: Daniel Hamilton
Sept 17: Billy Donovan
Sept 18: Sam Presti
Sept 19: TBD
Sept 20: TBD



http://www.nba.com/playerfile/raymond_felton/
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/feltora01.html

33 years old
Drafted 2005 out of NC with the 5th pick by the Charlotte Bobcats
6'1"
205lb (if this weight is correct I'll eat my hat)

1x NBA All-Rookie Second Team

Questions for the upcoming season:

1: How much do you think Felton will help the bench?
2: Do you think he'll be in better shape this season?
3: How many times per game do you think he'll dime up Kanter?
4: How often do you expect him to play next to Russ?
5: Will we see him used in 3-guard lineups? Should we?

and any others you want to add

Andre Roberstan wrote:
Questions for the upcoming season:

1: How much do you think Felton will help the bench?
2: Do you think he'll be in better shape this season?
3: How many times per game do you think he'll dime up Kanter?
4: How often do you expect him to play next to Russ?
5: Will we see him used in 3-guard lineups? Should we?

and any others you want to add

1: I don't know how much he'll help as much as he won't be a black hole that causes us to lose a lead every time he enters the game.

2: Tough to say. Depends on if he's serious about winning or just wants to make some money before he retires. It shouldn't be hard to a professional basketball player to not be fat. Especially a pg.

3: no idea

4: more than he should

5: unfortunately yes. Donovan will get bored with what's working a tinker too much. He and Russ shouldn't be on the floor together as long as everyone is healthy and not in foul trouble.

Andre Roberstan wrote:1: How much do you think Felton will help the bench?
2: Do you think he'll be in better shape this season?
3: How many times per game do you think he'll dime up Kanter?
4: How often do you expect him to play next to Russ?
5: Will we see him used in 3-guard lineups? Should we?

and any others you want to add

1. Quite a lot. We're replacing a non scorer with a high IQ backup who's a good floor general and above average finisher at the rim amongst backup PGs.

2. I think he'll be in the same shape this season.

3. Twice? I don't know but he's got some of the best PnR synergy numbers for a backup.

4. Fairly often but certainly not every game. He's not outstanding off the ball but he's pretty damn good spotting up in the corners. He's not bad defensively and can hold his own against a lot of SGs.

5. Yes. Yes. Quickest way for us to effectively had another playmaker/ball handler on the floor without giving up too much. Semaj stinks. Neither Abrines nor Ferguson can effectively make plays on the move. Felton will be a reliable option in those instances.

I've watched this guy play enough that I think he's a perfect backup for Russ. He's a pest defensively and his overall game is just very solid and he won't ever hurt you. He's a much better overall player than Semaj and that's not saying much. Presti did an incredible job getting Paul George and acquiring Felton just really added to it. I'm hoping Ferguson will develop very quickly so as to get him into the rotation also by the middle of the season.

Andre Roberstan wrote:1: How much do you think Felton will help the bench?
2: Do you think he'll be in better shape this season?
3: How many times per game do you think he'll dime up Kanter?
4: How often do you expect him to play next to Russ?
5: Will we see him used in 3-guard lineups? Should we?

1) Not much. A folding chair would be an upgrade to Semaj. Not a single player on the "second unit" has shown to be anything but a low end backup, at best.

2) Older and slower.

3) In the wins it will 2 times or less. In the losses it will be 4+.

4) Enough that it will cost the team a few games.

5) We shouldn't, but I can see a 4 guard lineup from Donovan and no matter how many times it doesn't work he'll keep sending Russ, Felton, Abrines, Roberson and Kanter out there to hold OKC back from home court in the first round of the playoffs.

Andre Roberstan wrote:
Questions for the upcoming season:

1: How much do you think Felton will help the bench?
2: Do you think he'll be in better shape this season?
3: How many times per game do you think he'll dime up Kanter?
4: How often do you expect him to play next to Russ?
5: Will we see him used in 3-guard lineups? Should we?

and any others you want to add

I've decided to become the yin to Kizz's yang.

1. Tons, this bench is loaded with scoring talent in the post and on the perimeter with Abrines improving.

2. For sure, he was solid in LA as a backup and I'd expect that to continue.

3. 4-5 minimum per game. If the bench is clicking he'll be a double double on a given night.

4. Only in emergency situations or if the opponent dictates a needed lineup change.

5. Nah, they won't need to and won't happen.