Bobcats and Rockets close to deal

Chris Paul also averages 10 minutes a game more than Felton. Paul is better, and they clearly they wanted him, but Bobcats also wanted/neededed a pg. so how can you say Felton was a stupid pick?

FWIMFW hes #5 on NBA rookie Rankings

http://www.nba.com/rookie_rankings/

 

Wasn't there pretty much universal agreement that #5 was way too high for someone like Felton? I understand that the team felt like it needed a PG of the future and Felton was the last of the three available, thus prompting a reach. I also understand that they thought drafting two Carolina products would boost their incredibly disappointing ticket sales. None of that changes the fact that Felton isn't that great a scorer, isn't impressive as an on-the-ball defender, can play out of control with the ball, isn't the best PG in the halfcourt offense, and gets nicked up a lot. I salute him for playing in so many games for the Bobcats, but all Carolina fans remember how Felton inevitably injured himself in every other game. He plays through the pain, which is great, but unfortunately all those bumps and bruises affect his performance.

Clearly Felton at #5 was better than May at #13, but they were both reaches.

 

After Paul, Boget, Deron Williams and Marvin Williams there was no impact players in the draft from what I have read. Not to say that players won't get better and down the road turn out to be solid players. The Bobcats got hosed by the lottery balls. In hind site they would probably say "privately" that they should have made the trade for Paul as they wanted a PG to build around. Felton isn't Paul but he is far from a mediocre PG and his recent play suggest as much. The Bobcats need a slasher at 2 or the 3 and/or a real center that would allow Emeka to play the #4. imo

 

Felton was listed in the top 10 in several mock drafts. some have him going to Charlotte at number 5 so I dont think he was drafted too high.

as of late he has been less out of control, has better shot selection, and most importantly gotten used to the NBA shot clock. as PP said he is far from a mediocore point guard. the point is the hardest position in the NBA to learn, and generally has the longest learning curve. Look at Baron Davis his first year with the Hornets. he was playing street ball until he learned to settle down, and play within the offense. its half way through his first season. I say wait until the end of the year to see if he was a wasted pick or whatever. really should wait until next year to decide.

http://www.cbs.sportsline.com/nba/draft/mock

http://www.nbawire.com/mock_draft.html

http://www.insidehoops.com/nba-mock-draft.shtml

 

Yeah, but those mocks almost always came with the caveat that the team in question would be reaching on Felton because there was a dearth of point guard talent after you got past those top three. Every NBA analyst I bothered to read or listen to agreed that Felton wasn't a top ten talent, and some even suggested that #13 might be a little high for him, but that he'd definitely go by then simply due to need.

He's not even a point guard. He's playing shooting guard.

 

You can read anything into any so called analyst or "expert". Downplay Felton all you like, just more ammo to be used on you later on. Other than Paul who is hotter recently. At worse Felton will be second team All rookie team and will be starting next year averaging 15 points and 9 apg.

 

I'd love to see it, but I don't believe it. The assist numbers are especially inflated.

 

Felton deserved to be drafted at #5 last year and was NOT a reach for that year. In other years you could make that argument, but not last year. You have to balance the pick on need/talent and Felton fit both for what the Bobcats needed. May was a reach for this team at #13 vs. need.

There are usually only 1 or 2 rookies that come in and light it up each year and typically I would expect those to be picked before #5. I would definately give halfway through next season before passing judgement on Felton. If he doesn't show decent improvement on his weaknesses then at that point you could start the speculation.