Even NBA backup point guards recognized great backcourts and floor generals, especially if you have the chance to compete with them.
Speaking with talented guards like Russell Westbrook and Kyrie Irving, former Knicks guard Raymond Felton detailed how different they are, especially their edge over many point guards.
With Westbrook announcing his official retirement a week ago, Felton has lauded his career after 18 seasons and his dominant prime, when he posted triple-doubles almost every game.
“Think about this, the year he won mvp think about all the chatter. KD leaving, all the negativity that came from that. The man came out and took his team to the playoffs, won mvp – averaged a triple double that year. Showed that he’s a #1. He was the scoring champ that year too. Scoring champ, triple double average, and won MVP all in one season. And 1st team all NBA. Who else has done anything close to that? MJ?” Felton said, per ToTheBaha podcast.
The 2016 MVP became the first player to average over an entire regular season, which Felton mentioned that if there is someone close to that is Michael Jordan.
Aside from the former Thunder guard, Felton expressed how skillful Irving is in finishes, handles, and mentality on the court.
“I don’t think we ever see anybody like Kyrie again. Not like that, not the way he can finish, mid-range, the moves he got, just handles, you feel me? The man shot a left-handed floater for a game-winner from the free-throw line,” he added.
Westbrook was drafted in 2008, while Irving was drafted in 2011, with only three years gap, and now the new era of point guards is slowly taking over the league.
