Raymond Felton respects what Jeremy Lin did playing point guard for the Knicks last season. Felton just thinks he’s the better man for the job.
“I am a competitor. I am a point guard just like he is, so do I think I am better? Of course, I am going to say that,” Felton said in a television interview during the Knicks summer league team’s 94-92 loss to the Raptors yesterday in Las Vegas. “I think I am better than any point guard. That’s the way I am supposed to think.
“But at the same time, it’s nothing personal between me and Jeremy. But people are going to make it about that, [and] I am fine with that.”
Felton signed with the Knicks two summers ago. He averaged 17.1 points and 9.0 assists while running the point for the Knicks before being sent to Denver as part of the Carmelo Anthony trade in February 2011.
He admitted getting traded away from the Knicks, where he developed a chemistry with Amar’e Stoudemire playing under Mike D’Antoni, stuck with him.
“I wasn’t upset with anybody … [but] I was having my best year, and a great time in New York,” Felton said. “I didn’t want to leave.”
Since leaving, Felton hasn’t been the same. After finishing the 2011 season with Denver, he was dealt again before last season to Portland, where he slumped to a career-low 11.4 points to go along with 6.5 assists and admitted showing up to camp out of shape.
“I wasn’t at the weight I normally [am],” Felton said. “I am the first one to say, ‘I wasn’t in shape.’ I don’t make no excuses, I don’t blame anyone else.
“I am hearing from everybody, ‘He wasn’t in shape last year.’ I played in the league seven years, about to be eight, came in out of shape one year and that’s all everybody wants to talk about. … I look forward to this year and shutting up everybody’s mouth.”
One person happy to see Felton return is Stoudemire, who had an MVP-level first half of the 2010-11 season playing alongside Felton before Anthony arrived with Chauncey Billups in the trade.
“Awesome, awesome acquisition of Raymond,” Stoudemire said. “He’s a phenomenal player. … He’s one of those guys that you know is gonna bring his ‘A’ game, play extremely hard on both ends of the court, and he’s ready to win.”
Felton didn’t waste any time setting expectations for his second run with the Knicks, saying they are capable of beating anyone — including the Heat.
“Good enough for the Finals,” Felton said. “This is a contending team without a doubt.”
“The thing I am excited about is I have so many options … [Anthony] at one end, J.R. Smith on the other, Amar’e on the screen-and-roll or on the elbow, Tyson [Chandler] at the rim. There’s so many things you can work with.”
tbontemps@nypost.com