OKC Thunder Season Review: Ready and steady back-up point guard Raymond Felton

As OKC Thunder guard Raymond Felton approaches the final years of his successful career, the little general has found a home in Oklahoma City. TI’s season review offers a look back at Felton’s 2018-19 campaign.

When the OKC Thunder added Raymond Felton in the summer of 2017, it was unclear what to expect from the once starting point guard, turned journeyman. Felton recently completed his second season with the Thunder and the two words that would sum up his Thunder tenure would be steady and ready.

During the 2017-18 campaign, Felton played a vital role off the bench as the lead back up to starting guard, Russell Westbrook. With the addition of Dennis Schroder, Felton was bumped to the third-string group.

Much like teammate Patrick Patterson, Felton handled his role demotion well, although the two situations were quite different, the result was the same, limited playing time. Felton would go for extended periods where he did not see any court time, at one point Uncle Ray received 20 consecutive DNP-CD’s.

Still Got Game

One interesting stat regarding Felton is he can still provide elite defense when needed. Among 365 qualified player’s Felton ranked first in opponent 3-Point defense, allowing a limited 28.1 percent accuracy. Perhaps, the low percentage can be credited to Felton’s high basketball IQ.

During the Thunder’s 2019 first-round series with the Portland Trailblazers, Felton’s defense did not suffer much slippage. The number increased to 30 percent even. Which still placed 24th among 144 players in the NBA Quarter Finals, not too shabby for a 13-year NBA vet.