Raymond Felton could be bidding for an All-Star spot.
Though the Knicks have played 19 games, Felton is off to a brilliant start, and only a couple of point guards in the Eastern Conference are performing at a higher level.
“I don’t think about that, man. If it happens, it happens,” said Felton, who has never been an All-Star. “I’d be crazy to say that it wouldn’t be nice to be in that game. But at the same time, I don’t sit there and be like, ‘That’s what I’m trying to do.’ I’m trying to win games.”
Felton has been a key reason the Knicks have won seven of their past eight games. In Tuesday’s 111-100 triumph over the Nets, Felton poured in 21 points, dished out 10 assists, grabbed seven rebounds and notched three steals. Felton also shot 7-for-10 from the field, hitting on jumpers, driving layups and floaters. Perhaps more importantly, he helped his teammates get easy hooping, finding Amar’e Stoudemire and Wilson Chandler for multiple pick-and-roll dunks.
Felton’s averaging 18.2 points, 8.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.0 steals this season — all of which would be career-bests if he continues on this pace. Felton, 26, also has racked up seven double-doubles, and the Knicks are 6-1 in those games.
“He’s just a tough kid. Figures out how to win,” coach Mike D’Antoni said. “He’s playing with a lot of confidence and rhythm.”
He also has been on a scoring run. In the Knicks’ last 12 games, Felton’s averaging 20.1 points.
“I think he’s playing great,” Chandler said. “I always knew he could play like this. He had to get used to the system and get used to the players. It’s a tough transition sometimes.”
Last year, there were five guards named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team — Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo, Dwyane Wade, Joe Johnson and Allen Iverson. The West, which has most of the sport’s elite point guards, had seven guards, including Steve Nash, Deron Williams, Chris Paul and Chauncey Billups.
But looking at this year’s Eastern guard crop, just Rose, Rondo and Wade figure to be locks to make the team. Beyond that, if Felton and the Knicks continue to play well, he could be in the next group of top guards with Devin Harris, Johnson, Brandon Jennings, Jameer Nelson, John Wall, Stephen Jackson and Ray Allen.
Felton, a former lottery pick out of North Carolina, is in his sixth NBA season but first with the Knicks. His familiarity with D’Antoni’s offense has jumped dramatically since the start of the year.
“[I’m] much more comfortable,” he said. “It’s more games, more repetitions, more screen and rolls. Just getting used to everybody. That’s been big.”
His play has been even bigger.