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Dallas Mavericks: The Resurgence Of Raymond Felton

By Cole Mentzel

Dec 12, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Raymond Felton (2) dribbles the ball up court against the Washington Wizards during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Raymond Felton (2) dribbles the ball up court against the Washington Wizards during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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After a couple of down years, Raymond Felton has emerged as a reliable option for the Dallas Mavericks and his play is strengthening the team.

Raymond Felton was traded to the Dallas Mavericks as a part of a deal involving Tyson Chandler, Jose Calderon, Samuel Dalembert, Shane Larkin, Wayne Ellington and a couple of draft picks.

The trade came after a tough season with the Knicks involving a legal issue where Felton pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a firearm. As his time with the Knicks had ended, Felton looked to get back on his feet in Dallas.

However, it did not start off the way he wanted it to start. First, he was given a four-game suspension by the NBA for his charges and second, he suffered a sprained right ankle in the preseason that caused him to miss a total of 31 games.

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Once he got back to being healthy, he never returned to his normal self, averaging only 3.7 points per game as well as 0.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists. He managed to register three double-digit scoring games late in the season and even got some minutes in the playoffs, but it was obvious that his game was just not where it was supposed to be at.

During the summer of 2015, a couple of important things happened that impacted Felton’s future. He exercised his $3.9 million player option for the 2015-16 season and he worked a little harder in the offseason, which ultimately paid off when he showed up at training camp looking slimmer.

Before the 2015-16 season got underway, it was apparent that his role was going to be much larger. With newly-signed guard Wesley Matthews on deck in Dallas, there would be more minutes available because of Matthews’ ongoing recovery from a torn Achilles. Also, forward Chandler Parsons was going to be out through the first part of the regular season after undergoing knee surgery in the offseason.

Roughly a month and a half into the season, Felton has started in 14 of the Mavs’ games. He has been inserted into the shooting guard slot and shares a backcourt with Deron Williams while usually playing point guard minutes later on in games.

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    • With that being said, it is obvious that the role he has been filling this season is one that fits his style. He is averaging 9.7 PPG, 3.6 RPG and 3.4 APG. Though his statistical numbers aren’t as flashy as some of his best years in New York and Charlotte, he has improved on a few things.

    His rebounding average of 3.6 per game is the second-highest total of his career and he is averaging the most defensive rebounds (3.2) since his 2010-11 run with the Denver Nuggets (also 3.2).

    One major upgrade is the amount of turnovers Felton commits per game. At 1.7, he is averaging the least amount of turnovers in his career, not counting last season when he only played about 10 minutes per game. That has translated into more quality possessions and helps the Mavs’ offense flow better. Lastly, his free-throw percentage is up to 82 percent, which is second only to his 87 percent in 2010-11.

    Felton’s production on the court has given him more opportunities to show his worth. In November, he played 24.8 minutes per game while in December, he is playing 35.0 minutes per game and his numbers are up across the board.

    His best game of the season came on Dec. 12 in a loss to the Wizards where Felton logged a triple-double (10 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists) — the first time a Mavericks player had done it since Jason Kidd in 2011.

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    It remains to be seen as to whether Felton can keep his high level of play up throughout the season, but as it has progressed, it has gotten better and he is getting quality minutes over other guards on the team like Devin Harris and J.J. Barea.

    Raymond Felton may have had struggles in the past, but he has revived his game with a coach that makes that possible in Rick Carlisle.

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