Hollinger: Felton "Really Needs To Get That Potbelly Under Control"

[SlyPokerDog]

John Hollinger of ESPN.com (Insider) analyzes the trade that sent Portland Trail Blazers guard Andre Miller to the Denver Nuggets for Raymond Felton...
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The Felton-Miller trade is a rarity: It's almost entirely about basketball. The two have virtually identically contracts that both expire after this season. Portland gets eight years younger at the point guard spot, although Felton looked very heavy by the end of last season and really needs to get that potbelly under control if he's going to continue playing at his current level.

The two were roughly equal as players a year ago, but each fits better in the other team's system -- Miller's lack of shooting was a real problem in Portland but shouldn't be an issue on an up-tempo Denver team that has a lot of bombers, while Felton bristled as a backup in Denver but will be a full-time starter with the Blazers.

The Blazers lose Fernandez in the swap, which leaves a dent, but with Greg Oden potentially returning at the center spot and LaMarcus Aldridge on the other block, Portland needs a point guard who can make a jump shot. Felton isn't the best in this category, but compared to Miller, he looks like Steve Kerr. He's a better defender than Miller, too.

http://www.blazersedge.com/2011/6/2...ally-needs-to-get-that-potbelly-under-control

 

[Chuck Taylor]

Well, it's a contract year. I expect him to be slim & trim, perform well, and then fatten up again after we pay him.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Well, it's a contract year. I expect him to be slim & trim, perform well, and then fatten up again after we pay him.

Sounds like pretty much every other dough-boy who got a payday in the league.

 

[jlprk]

Knicks fans say that each season, he has to play himself into shape. But what Hollinger's saying is that in recent seasons he's losing less and less fat before stopping the weight loss.

 

[KingSpeed]

Knicks fans say that each season, he has to play himself into shape. But what Hollinger's saying is that in recent seasons he's losing less and less fat before stopping the weight loss.

What do Knicks fans know about "each season"? He played a half season for them. Were they following his game in Charlotte?

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Contract. year.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Holly Mackenzie tweets:

Raymond Felton looks like he's been eating well during the offseason, hey? Eeeks.

Wasn't it in the last lockout that Shawn Kemp really blimped out?

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

 

[Natebishop3]

Holly Mackenzie tweets:



Wasn't it in the last lockout that Shawn Kemp really blimped out?

Yup.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

The cupcake is a nice touch. Subtle.

 

[Natebishop3]

He looks so happy.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

He looks so happy.

Carb coma... he probably stopped by the Old Spaghetti Factory on the way in and had the Mizithra Cheese spaghetti.

 

[DaRizzle]

wow...look at that fatty...he's just a fat fatty isnt he....that fatty

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Wasn't it in the last lockout that Shawn Kemp really blimped out?

Kemp was a freak. The only person I've ever heard of getting fat doing piles of cocaine.

 

[PapaG]

Kemp was a freak. The only person I've ever heard of getting fat doing piles of cocaine.

Haha!

Of course, Shawn reportedly reeked of booze when he sweated, as well. More coke, less booze, and Kemp is an All-Star in Portland?

 

[SlyPokerDog]

The cupcake is a nice touch. Subtle.

The cupcake is real, given to Felton for his birthday!

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

I think Felton is the new Rod Strickland. holla.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I think Felton is the new Rod Strickland. holla.

Hide your kids, hide your wife, hide your 16yr old girls at Utah malls!

 

[MickZagger]

I dont get the whole potbelly thing. Felton has had a thicker look as long as I can remember him playing. He's still fast. I almost gaurantee he has no potbelly.

 

[RoyToy]

He admitted on 1080 that he got to Denver and didn't really want to be there because he was coming off the bench and lost track of his diet a little bit. He said his ideal playing weight is 205 and said that he was about 208-210 in Denver.

Overall he sounded glad to be here and I expect that he'll give the Blazers his best. Sounds like that wasn't the case in Denver.

 

[B-Roy]

He admitted on 1080 that he got to Denver and didn't really want to be there because he was coming off the bench and lost track of his diet a little bit. He said his ideal playing weight is 205 and said that he was about 208-210 in Denver.

Wow, that's not a red flag.

 

[illmatic99]

Pretty cool interview with Casey. He said if there is a lockout, he will get the team together to run pickup in NC. Thinks that will be a good way of earning the teammates' trust and become a leader.

 

[Natebishop3]

Wow, that's not a red flag.

Well he better get ready because he'll be coming off the bench behind Patty

 

[RoyToy]

Wow, that's not a red flag.

Andre Miller did the same thing when he got to Portland and McMillan made him the backup.

 

[Natebishop3]

Andre Miller did the same thing when he got to Portland and McMillan made him the backup.

Miller still tried to play well. He voiced his displeasure but he didn't sand bag it.

 

[RoyToy]

Miller still tried to play well. He voiced his displeasure but he didn't sand bag it.

He stuck to his game and didn't try hard to adapt at all at first imo.

Felton still played fine in Denver, despite his usg% being the lowest of his career.

 

[Natebishop3]

He stuck to his game and didn't try hard to adapt at all at first imo.

Felton still played fine in Denver, despite his usg% being the lowest of his career.

Why would a guy adapt his game at his age if it's still working for him? The Blazers knew who he was when they signed him. It's bullshit to sign a guy like that and ask him to change. If you don't like his game, don't' sign him.

 

[RoyToy]

Why would a guy adapt his game at his age if it's still working for him? The Blazers knew who he was when they signed him. It's bullshit to sign a guy like that and ask him to change. If you don't like his game, don't' sign him.

McMillan said from day 1 he always envisioned Miller coming off the bench and leading the 2nd unit. According to him he never made any promises about who would start.

Miller had it all wrong from day 1, thinking he should be given the spot, when the team just won 54 games w/o him. Roy saw this early and pointed out, although he ended up being a villain for being right.

 

[Natebishop3]

McMillan said from day 1 he always envisioned Miller coming off the bench and leading the 2nd unit. According to him he never made any promises about who would start.

Miller had it all wrong from day 1, thinking he should be given the spot, when the team just won 54 games w/o him. Roy saw this early and pointed out, although he ended up being a villain for being right.

PapaG? Is that you? How many accounts do you have?

 

[RoyToy]

PapaG? Is that you? How many accounts do you have?

My other name is SKempFan