Raymond Felton could make return on Saturday @ Philly

[29$JerZ]

Marc Berman ‏@NYPost_Berman
Felton was cleared to practice today and says "big chance'' he could return Saturday in Philly. But has fracture in 3 places in pinkie. tbd

We'll see

Felton on return: 'Big chance' for Saturday

January, 22, 2013
Jan 22

4:41

PM ET

By Jared Zwerling | ESPNNewYork.com
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GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Knicks point guard Raymond Felton took another significant step Tuesday in his return from a broken right pinkie suffered on Christmas Day.

With just a wrap on his finger, Felton hoisted jump shots around the arc before participating in conditioning drills.



[+] Enlarge
Brad Penner/USA TODAY SportsRaymond Felton averaged 15.8 points and 6.3 assists in 28 games, while shooting just 40 percent from the field.
"I feel good," he said afterward. "I can practice without putting a brace on my hand. ... Basically I can use my right hand again."

Though he hasn't been cleared for contact yet, Felton hopes to resume play Saturday in Philadelphia.

"Big chance, big chance, but I can't speak on that. That's not my decision to make," he said. "If it's up to me, I'd play in Boston, but they're not going to let me do it because there's a possible chance if I break it again, I'll be out two months, because they're going to have to go in and have surgery on it. So it's tough.

"Everybody looks at it as a little pinkie, all that, he shouldn't be out, but I fractured that pinkie in three places."

Felton will be needed to relieve playmaking pressure off his teammates. J.R. Smith and Carmelo Anthony have been asked to run more pick-and-rolls. Melo, especially, was effective Monday in the loss to the Nets. Out of the nine pick-and-roll plays he facilitated, the Knicks scored nine points, shooting 50 percent.

But Anthony's teammates noticed the extra ballhandling wore him down. He only had two points in the fourth quarter -- off free throws -- and missed a key jumper with 11 seconds remaining that would have given the Knicks an 86-85 lead. In addition, Jason Kidd has been affected by extended minutes in Felton's absence.

"We missed (Felton) a lot," coach Mike Woodson said. "He's a big part of the puzzle. We didn't bring Kidd in to play 30-plus minutes a game. I know Jason's giving us all he can give us, and I'm wearing him down. I've got to get Raymond back eventually, but then, too, I've got to be open-minded about Raymond's finger."

Said Amar'e Stoudemire: "Raymond's going to help us a lot. He helps with the offense and really facilitating the plays. We get into our offensive schemes a lot sooner. He also brings a lot of up-tempo style to the game, where we can have some more fast-break points out there on the court."

Felton said the past month has been a "painful" and "terrifying" time.

"This is the longest I've ever been out for an injury ever in my career," he said, "so it's been tough mentally for me, but I've been fighting through and making sure I'm staying in shape."

[STA_PLAR]

he better not re-injure it and be out for a long time because we will suck again.

[Enzo]

Jonah Ballow@jonahballowabout

@Raymond Felton fractured his pinky in 3 places, 3 bones shattered. Says if he "messes it again" he will be out 2-3 months so caution is key

[D-Leethal]

Jesus. The amount Felton gets his hands jammed I don't have a good feeling about this.

I would seriously consider waiving Pablo for a younger backup capable of giving us 30 mins in relief and actually beating someone, anyone off the dribble. I like Pablo and think hes a great 3rd string guard, but not when second string is 40 yr old Kidd.

[D-Leethal]

Nate Taylor @ByNateTaylor 1 hour ago
Felton on the chance he plays against 76ers: “A big chance, but that’s not my decision to make. If it was up to me I’d play Boston."

[PC]

I don't know the exact timetables he was looking at but I would've preferred if he had surgery. Too late now but I hope he doesn't re-injure it

[TheNumber37]

Just let him heal.
But let's not Let Sumpert play PG again.

[robdesign13]

He'll be fine, once back. Sat or Sunday and we'll be back to our winning ways. I'm more worried about the boston game and cheerio boxes flying from the stands. SMH

[knickerbockerny]

What is the front office doing! Point guard help is needed... now! Will he even be effective when he comes back?

[KingsOfQueens]

I don't know the exact timetables he was looking at but I would've preferred if he had surgery. Too late now but I hope he doesn't re-injure it

This. Surgery would've just taken maximum two weeks longer than it has already taken. Initial reports said had he opted for surgery, it would have held him out 4-6 weeks. I believe he's already been out 4 weeks.

[Giants #1 Fan]

He's stupid. He should of did the surgery

[yankstheknicks]

ughhhhh..........come on felton!!!!!!!! you jam you dam fingers like every other game!!!!!!! this is not smart!!!!!!!!!!
trade cope for a good back up ...or for crist sakes somebody call johnny flynn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[still a fan]

Felton on return: 'Big chance' for Saturday

January, 22, 2013
Jan 22

4:41

PM ET

By Jared Zwerling | ESPNNewYork.com
Recommend14
Tweet49
Comments77
Email
Print

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Knicks point guard Raymond Felton took another significant step Tuesday in his return from a broken right pinkie suffered on Christmas Day.

With just a wrap on his finger, Felton hoisted jump shots around the arc before participating in conditioning drills.



[+] Enlarge
Brad Penner/USA TODAY SportsRaymond Felton averaged 15.8 points and 6.3 assists in 28 games, while shooting just 40 percent from the field.
"I feel good," he said afterward. "I can practice without putting a brace on my hand. ... Basically I can use my right hand again."

Though he hasn't been cleared for contact yet, Felton hopes to resume play Saturday in Philadelphia.

"Big chance, big chance, but I can't speak on that. That's not my decision to make," he said. "If it's up to me, I'd play in Boston, but they're not going to let me do it because there's a possible chance if I break it again, I'll be out two months, because they're going to have to go in and have surgery on it. So it's tough.

"Everybody looks at it as a little pinkie, all that, he shouldn't be out, but I fractured that pinkie in three places."

Felton will be needed to relieve playmaking pressure off his teammates. J.R. Smith and Carmelo Anthony have been asked to run more pick-and-rolls. Melo, especially, was effective Monday in the loss to the Nets. Out of the nine pick-and-roll plays he facilitated, the Knicks scored nine points, shooting 50 percent.

But Anthony's teammates noticed the extra ballhandling wore him down. He only had two points in the fourth quarter -- off free throws -- and missed a key jumper with 11 seconds remaining that would have given the Knicks an 86-85 lead. In addition, Jason Kidd has been affected by extended minutes in Felton's absence.

"We missed (Felton) a lot," coach Mike Woodson said. "He's a big part of the puzzle. We didn't bring Kidd in to play 30-plus minutes a game. I know Jason's giving us all he can give us, and I'm wearing him down. I've got to get Raymond back eventually, but then, too, I've got to be open-minded about Raymond's finger."

Said Amar'e Stoudemire: "Raymond's going to help us a lot. He helps with the offense and really facilitating the plays. We get into our offensive schemes a lot sooner. He also brings a lot of up-tempo style to the game, where we can have some more fast-break points out there on the court."

Felton said the past month has been a "painful" and "terrifying" time.

"This is the longest I've ever been out for an injury ever in my career," he said, "so it's been tough mentally for me, but I've been fighting through and making sure I'm staying in shape."

[VillaMaravilla]

Jesus. The amount Felton gets his hands jammed I don't have a good feeling about this.

I would seriously consider waiving Pablo for a younger backup capable of giving us 30 mins in relief and actually beating someone, anyone off the dribble. I like Pablo and think hes a great 3rd string guard, but not when second string is 40 yr old Kidd.

Been saying this forever, I kmow guys in here dont feel he can play but I would try to get Flynn out of Australia, hes only 23 no reason to give up on him

[VillaMaravilla]

ughhhhh..........come on felton!!!!!!!! you jam you dam fingers like every other game!!!!!!! this is not smart!!!!!!!!!!
trade cope for a good back up ...or for crist sakes somebody call johnny flynn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers to you sir, finally someone on the Flynn wagon