Raymond Felton initially came to New York looking for an opportunity.
As he is set to begin his second stint with the Knicks, Felton seeks redemption.
Two years ago, served a major role in transforming the New York franchise from a laughing stock, into a playoff caliber team.
After being trapped in Charlotte’s half court, slow tempo offense over the first five years of his NBA career, Felton thrived in the fast paced, pick-and-role style of offense employed by the Knicks.
For the first time in his career, Felton was playing alongside a dominant low post threat and the results were tremendous.
Madison Square Garden once again featured electric crowds, Amar’e Stoudemire was playing MVP caliber basketball and Felton was making a case for an All-Star bid.
In 54 games with the Knicks, Felton averaged 17.1 points, 9.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game. New York hadn’t reached the playoffs in ten consecutive seasons, but with Felton as the floor general, its record was 28-26.
In five seasons with Charlotte, Felton posted 53 double-doubles, but logged 24 double-doubles, including his first career triple-double in just over half a season with the Knicks.
Raymond Felton recorded double-digit assist totals in 27 of 54 career games with the Knicks.
Only he wouldn’t get a full season with New York.
Carmelo Anthony announced he would only sign an extension with one team and Denver wanted to trade away its star instead of just losing him in free agency.
As part of the deal, Anthony inked a three-year $65 million extension and Felton was shipped to the Nuggets.
Once in Denver, his minutes were immediately slashed as he became the backup to Ty Lawson and his productivity plummeted.
Felton averaged 11.5 points, 6.5 assists in 21 games before he was traded to Portland.
The lockout shortened season of 2011-12 was one Felton certainly would like to forget.
Once the two month lockout ended, Felton arrived in Portland overweight and admitted to not being in shape.
The scoring prowess was gone, as was his ability to set up teammates. In 60 games, Felton dished out 10 or more assists just eight times, a feat he accomplished on 27 occasions while in New York.
By February, Felton had worn out his welcome, after bickering with coach Nate McMillan and leading Portland to a 28-38 record.
The Trail Blazers sent Felton to New York as the team was trying to decide if resigning Jeremy Lin was a viable option.
Lin became a sensation in New York, becoming a fan favorite even faster than Felton, leading the Knicks to seven consecutive wins and rescuing their season after 11 losses in 13 games nearly eliminated the team from playoff contention.
In 25 starts, Lin averaged 18.7 points and 7.7 assists, giving New York an offensive catalyst as Stoudemire and Anthony battled through injuries.
Following the acquisition of Felton, the Knicks declined to match the three-year $25 million offer Lin received from the Rockets.
Raymond Felton averaged 11.4 points and 6.5 assists per game last season in Portland.
New York continued to overhaul its back court, bringing in 39-year-old Jason Kidd and 35-year-old rookie Pablo Prigioni to serve as Felton’s backups.
New York is in desperate need of stability at the point guard position.
Aside from Felton, the opening day starters at point guard for New York have been Chris Duhon and Toney Douglas over the past four years.
No point guard has started more than 55 games in a year since Stephon Marbury in 2006-07.
A year ago, Lin was the final alternative, as Iman Shumpert, Mike Bibby, Baron Davis and Douglas all saw time as the Knicks staring point guard.
While Felton is five years older than Lin and won’t bring the same national attention, he also thrived when calling Madison Square Garden home.
New York is trying to re-acclimate Felton into its lineup, allowing him 33 minutes of playing time in Friday’s loss to Toronto.
Through three pre-season games, his 6.3 assists ties him with Deron Williams for seventh most in the league.
A casualty of the Anthony trade, Felton is back in New York determined to prove he is capable of leading a team into the post season.
He arrived at training camp 20 pounds lighter than what he weighed in Portland and wants to reestablish himself as not just one of the best point guards in the league, but the point guard for the Knicks.
