You have to admit, honesty truly is the best policy. And Knicks point guard Raymond Felton was upfront honest about his recent play.
“I’m definitely my worst critic. I’m just playing like some crap. Got to pick it up. That’s all,” Felton said Monday after the Knicks were bent, stapled and mutilated, 103-80, by the Nets at the Garden for a fourth straight defeat.
Felton, in keeping with team policy Monday, shot 2-of-11 from the floor and committed three (not a ghastly number, true) turnovers as the Knicks offensively looked about as cohesive as a gang of caffeinated preschoolers. Ball movement — especially effective ball movement — was a fantasy. And shooting accuracy was even beyond that as the Knicks sizzled at 33.8 — only because they got hot late.
“There was not enough ball movement. When we’re moving the ball and sharing it, cutting, with pace, we’re a pretty good offensive team,” said Knicks coach Mike Woodson. “When we’re not, we’re a bad team.”
Yup, connect the dots. The Knicks were beyond bad. Felton struggled mightily, but he wasn’t alone. Still, he’s the starting point guard so blame finds him.
“He’s the guy with the ball in his hands,” Carmelo Anthony said. “When he plays well, we play well.”
But Woodson admitted the past two games have not produced “the Raymond Felton basketball we’ve seen” because “he’s had two bad, really, back-to-back games.”
So what’s the big deal? The Knicks have had four consecutive really bad games.
“It’s very frustrating,” said Felton who claimed the Knicks biggest crime against the Nets was simply shooting like blindfolded geeks. “Some way, somehow we still have to find a way. … I feel like we still had a lot of good shots and missed them. We missed a lot of free throws. … Sometimes the ball just doesn’t go in the hole for you and it’s very frustrating. That’s why I’m frustrated right now.”
Against the Clippers Friday, Felton was part of a starting backcourt that produced five points (Felton had all five, if it matters). Monday, Woodson inserted another point guard, Pablo Prigioni, in the starting unit for more movement, a better flow and quickness in a small lineup. Suffice to say the drawing board immediately came out afterward.
Felton, insisting health is not a n issue in a season where he has battled lower back, groin and hamstring ailments, tried to keep a brave face on his struggles.
“The shot’s not going. I can’t figure it out. I don’t have an answer for it, but I’m going to get in the gym tomorrow and try to keep working,” Felton said. “That’s it.”