Raymond Felton roster

Jay Johnson

(Editor’s Note: Questions may be edited for grammar, brevity or clarity.)

NEW YORK – Clippers head coach Doc Rivers recently called Raymond Felton a “godsend” and an “absolutely wonderful” addition for the Clippers this year both on and off the floor.

While in New York as the Clippers took on the Knicks, one of Felton’s former teams, Felton took some time to answer questions from fans, submitted to Clippers.com using “#LACmailbag” on Facebook and Twitter. Fans can submit questions about anything. Here’s what he had to say.

Kelli Pomodoro Erickson – What’s the transition been like from Dallas to LA with the Clippers? #LACmailbag

RF: “It’s pretty much the same thing. The NBA’s all about screen-and-rolls, learning how to play within somebody’s system off the ball and learning how to be a pick-and-roll guy. That’s what I am. I think it’s just the same thing, and also just the familiarity, getting used to the organization, playing with guys I already know, a new coach. You be somewhere for two years, you get used to something, and you come to a new team, it’s different at first. But after a while, being in the league 12 years, it’s one of those things you jump on it real quick.”

Du Foo – What was your reaction when you found out that you were going to play with your formal college rival Chris Paul? #LACmailbag

RF: “It’s cool. There’s two of them, actually. I got him and J.J. (Redick) on this team, two big college rivals I played against my whole college career. It was just one of those things that it was exciting. I know what those guys bring to the game. To be beside them and play, it’s like, ‘OK, let’s go get ‘em.’”

Jessica Lingenfelter (@jessicatiara7) – Question from my 9-year-old basketball obsessed son: What is your best shooting advice? #LACmailbag

RF: “It’s all about repetition. It’s all about shooting. A lot of people say your mechanics have to be a certain way, this and that. I think if you shoot enough and you work on the way you shoot and you work on your mechanics, I think that’ll make you a better shooter than people just telling you, ‘You need to shoot with a certain form, shoot this way, shoot that way.’ Some people, like Reggie Miller has an awkward shot, he don’t have a great mechanic shot like a guy like J.J. Redick, but Reggie Miller’s one of the best guys to shoot in this game. It’s all about getting in the gym and working on your shot.”

Sam (@whodatclippers) – Do you have a favorite buzzer beater or clutch shot that you’ve hit? #LACmailbag

RF: Man. There was a few. When I was in Charlotte, I hit a game-winner versus the Wizards. I don’t know…I’ve had a couple game-winners.”

E1 (@E1zPagan) – Felt, you excited to play at the Garden? #LACmailbag

RF: “Of course, it’s always fun to play at the Garden. It’s probably one of the best places to play, just to have fun and enjoy the atmosphere.”

(Aside question) Speaking of the Knicks, how much did it help you here to play for assistant coach Mike Woodson, who was your former coach in New York?

RF: “I know pretty much the whole coaching staff and have a relationship with just about all of them. But definitely having a guy you played for, for two years, and understanding him and knowing him, that helps. We definitely have a relationship.”

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Mailbag 02/09: Raymond Felton

Robyn Dixon

LOS ANGELES – Raymond Felton boarded a cross-country flight Monday back to Los Angeles, the day of the Clippers’ matchup against the Trail Blazers after an emotional weekend.

In head coach Doc Rivers’ mind, Felton’s presence turned out to be the difference in the game.

“His ball pressure, even before the ball got across half court, was absolutely wonderful for us,” Rivers said. “It’s why we won.”

Blake Griffin returned from a one-game absence with a sore right knee and added a team-high 26 points and 12 rebounds and six assists, while Felton returned from his hometown South Carolina after a two-game absence following a death in the family, then hounded the Portland backcourt every chance he got.

“I worked out every day I could while I was there in the morning before I went to go be with my family,” Felton said. “I was winded, but it was good to be out there, get my mind off things a little bit.”

There was no easing in for Felton, who played at least 24 minutes for just the third time this season. Rivers knew they’d need Felton for this matchup against Portland’s versatile guards, particularly with Austin Rivers (concussion) out.

And Felton delivered, staying in the air space of any Trail Blazers player who had the ball the second that player touched it.

“I love to play defense, and with this team, that’s what I have to do every night,” Felton said. “I don’t need to worry about trying to come in and score. We’ve got scorers from all angles.”

Beyond his 4-for-8 shooting, it was his work on the defensive end that allowed him to stay on the court in the final minutes. That was much appreciated by Chris Paul, who called Felton’s performance “amazing.”

The two point guards played off each other, and Felton’s work defensively allowed Paul to save some of his energy while the two were on the floor together in the final crucial minutes.

“Doc was trying to figure out who to go back with, and I was like, ‘Stay with Ray,’” Paul said. “Ray creates shots for everybody, and defensively it gave me an opportunity to stay on (Maurice) Harkless and not do as much running around, so I appreciate Ray like crazy.”

If not for Felton’s defense on the Portland backcourt with 20 seconds left and the Clippers nursing a three-point lead, maybe Damian Lillard hits the go-ahead shot. Instead, Lillard drove.

And if not for Felton’s defense, maybe Paul doesn’t have the energy to soar over everyone to grab the rebound off that miss and head to the line to hold off Portland. 

“I was yelling at Ray to stay up, don’t let (Lillard) shoot the 3,” Paul said. “Then when he drove, Ray played great defense. I saw he missed and was like, ‘Might as well get the rebound.’”

The Clippers had to fight for everything to hold off Portland, sometimes literally. In the fourth quarter alone, Evan Turner and DeAndre Jordan were ejected in the final seconds, Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts and center Mason Plumlee were handed technicals, Paul was given a flagrant and both DeAndre Jordan and Evan Turner were ejected.

Griffin’s face after the game, with stitches in his upper lip and a cut under his right eye, said it all.

 “It was pretty physical,” Griffin said. “We were trying to attack, trying to be physical. Not a lot of fouls (called) either way, really. I thought we did a good job early of being the aggressor, being the instigator, then somewhere we lost it. But down the stretch, guys made big plays.”

It helped having Felton and Griffin, who was able to return from his knee pain. 

“When it’s ever the knee areas or the ankle areas, you’re always more cautious,” Doc Rivers said.

Felton said his job is made easier late in games when he gets to play with Paul, because he can focus on making things as difficult as possible for his opponent while leaving the heavy lifting to the Clippers’ stars.

He may need to do that again on this upcoming trip if Austin Rivers can’t play.

“He’s doing better,” Doc said of Austin. “He will go on the trip, he passed two tests today that will at least allow him to travel. As far as playing, we don’t know yet. He still has several tests. Once you get put in the protocol, you have a lot of steps to take. So, he has more steps to take.”

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Felton, Griffin Return To Action To Help Clippers Edge Blazers

Joseph Ibarra

DALLAS – Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle made it a point Wednesday afternoon to acknowledge just how much he appreciated guard Raymond Felton and how he highly he thinks of him after coaching him the past two seasons.

He’s so fond of Felton, who later that night returned to American Airlines Center for the first time since going to the Clippers in free agency, he wishes the veteran guard was still wearing a Mavericks jersey.

“Felton played great for us, and I wish we would have brought him back,” Carlisle said. “He was a big difference-maker for us last year and was probably one of the big reasons we got to the playoffs, when you look at the whole year and everything that happened from start to finish.”

Much like he’s doing now, fitting in seamlessly with a new group and helping mold the Clippers’ second unit into one of the best benches in the NBA, Felton provided for the Mavericks whatever was needed on a nightly basis.

He started the first two games of the season for the Mavericks last year – including an 18-point, six-assist opener – then came off the bench for two games. He started again, then came off the bench again. It was a common theme throughout the year, largely – as Carlisle noted – to help ease Chandler Parsons back into the lineup.

“Ray was filling in and starting in games when (Parsons) didn’t play and starting in the second half of games when Parsons didn’t play in the second half,” Carlisle said. “We were winning a lot of those games because of what he was giving us.”

In addition to being, as Blake Griffin likes to say, a “bulldog” on defense hounding opposing ball-handlers, Felton’s also provided an offensive punch for the Clippers, shooting 46.8 percent from the floor and 54.5 percent from long distance. He’s picking up right where he left off last year, when he showed how he can put up starter numbers when thrust into that role, or take advantage of his minutes when coming off the bench.

Felton averaged 9.5 points and 3.6 assists per game last season, starting 31 of his 80 games with the Mavericks and seamlessly handling a different role on a nightly basis. In late April, he played 18 minutes one game, then 36 the next.

“I just think it’s very important to acknowledge how important he was to our season last year,” Carlisle said. “I have real strong feelings just about him as a person and a player and a guy who’s persevered in this league and continues to play at a really high level.”

When the playoffs hit, Felton took his game up another notch.

As injuries set in and the Mavericks needed an extra boost, Felton answered the call, starting four of five playoff games and averaging 15 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists. Deron Williams was only with the Mavericks for the second of Felton’s two seasons, but he only needed that one year to see how Felton rubbed off positively.

“A great teammate, a great competitor,” Williams said. “He was asked to guard guys like Kevin Durant, and he’s 6-1. Late in the season, big plays, big shots for us. He helped us win the one game we won in the playoffs. He was a huge part of this team’s success.”

In those five playoff games alone, Felton posted double-doubles in two different ways, recording 21 points and 11 rebounds in the Mavs’ lone postseason win in Game 2 and 19 points and 11 assists in Game 5. In every postseason start, he scored in double figures.

“I hope our fans acknowledge him tonight,” said Carlisle, hours before a pregame tribute video for Felton ran on the big board at American Airlines Center. “I think that they will. I certainly will acknowledge him. I look forward to seeing him. He’s a winner. He was the ultimate pro here for two years, and the Clippers are very lucky to have him.”

“He’s been the best,” said Clippers head coach Doc Rivers. “I talked to Rick this summer, and Rick gave him just an amazing review and made me really want him. Forget the basketball – the basketball, he’s been spectacular – but he’s been a mentor to our young guys. He’s just been a good spirit to our team. If he plays 30 minutes, five minutes, same spirit. You couldn’t ask for a better veteran to join your team.”

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Felton Fitting In With Clippers After Leaving Lasting Impression In Dallas

IRVINE, Calif. – Perception isn’t always reality.

Entering his 12th season in the league, Raymond Felton already knows how most players can play. His goal when he gets to a new team is to build relationships with players off the court, and he makes it a point not to believe everything he hears about a player or a team until he gets there.

As he’s gotten to know the Clippers, he’s been pleasantly surprised about the unity on the team.

“Being here, this team is actually closer than you think,” Felton said. “That surprised me. To see that, and add the couple of things I feel like I can add personality-wise off the court, I think we’re going to be all right.”

When the Clippers re-signed four players this offseason, all four mentioned the family atmosphere they felt with the team and the bonds they formed as adding to the experience and at least playing a part in their decisions to return.

Head coach Doc Rivers said most players who come to the Clippers don’t realize how close everyone is until they arrive. That’s why he’s not surprised at Felton’s comments.

Rivers, though, isn’t concerned about how his team is portrayed or outside perception, which he said has been wrong for years. He joked that he’s not running for president, so it’s not up to him to dispel the rumors, either.

“As long as the guys on the team understand,” Rivers said, “that’s it.”

“I’m a firm believer in not believing what you hear,” Felton said. “People can talk about a team or talk about a certain guy and give a perception about him, but when you meet him, it’s a totally different thing. I’ve seen that a lot with this team since I’ve been here.

“You can’t always believe what you hear.”

Crawford, who’s entering his fifth season with the Clippers, joked that he’d sometimes get “the side eye” when he’d explain to people how close the players actually were to one another.

“But we’re in the fox hole together, so we know how each other are,” Crawford said. “We know how close we are.”

Crawford and Rivers said inevitably, with any team and any relationship, there will be disagreements along the way. But that doesn’t detract from the friendships or belief in one another.

Even during Rivers’ championship run, that was clear to him.

“That’s a family,” Rivers said. “It’s part of life.”

And it’s also part of life, as Rivers knows, that the only way any team can change its perception is to win.

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Closeness Of Clippers Stands Out To Felton

Anthony Davila

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Top 10 Games Of The Year: Raymond Felton

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New Additions: Raymond Felton

LOS ANGELES – Clippers rookie Brice Johnson arrived at the University of North Carolina in 2012, exactly a decade after Raymond Felton.

Now, the two Tar Heel products are now set to become teammates for the first time, after Felton watched Johnson’s career at North Carolina unfold in a different fashion than his own.

Felton burst onto the scene with 12.9 points and 6.7 assists per game his freshman year, only playing three college seasons before becoming the fifth overall pick in 2005. For Johnson, the road to becoming a first-round pick took more development.

Johnson averaged 5.4 points and 3.2 rebounds in 10.6 minutes per game his freshman year with the Tar Heels, but he continued to grow and increase his contributions every season. By his senior year, Johnson served as the star player of a North Carolina team that nearly took home a title, averaging 17 points and 10.4 rebounds per game and becoming the 25th overall pick of the Clippers this year.

“I used to get on him back in the day about playing hard,” Felton said. “He did that (last season), that’s why he put himself in a great situation to get drafted. My biggest thing with him is to play hard and bring it, and I’m going to demand it out of him, for sure.”

Throughout his college career, Johnson said North Carolina head coach Roy Williams stayed in his ear, constantly pushing him to take his game to another level.

Evidently, Felton was doing the same, and Felton said that’s not going to change now that the two North Carolina stars, who played a decade apart, will become teammates.

Felton added Monday after officially signing his contract with the Clippers that he wants to be a leader. Considering Johnson already knows Felton, the rookie will likely hear plenty from the 32-year-old veteran throughout the year.

“I like young fella,” Felton said. “I’m going to be on him, though.” 

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UNC Vet Felton Plans To Stay On UNC Rookie Johnson

Marcus Fong

The LA Clippers announced today that the team has signed guard Raymond Felton.

Felton, 32, joins the Clippers after spending the last season with the Dallas Mavericks, where he averaged 9.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 80 games (31 starts). The South Carolina native appeared in five playoff games (four starts) for the Mavericks last season, averaging 15.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists.

The 11-year NBA veteran holds career averages of 12.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 776 games (646 starts) with the Charlotte Hornets, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers and Mavericks.  He was named NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2006.

Felton was drafted by the Charlotte Bobcats with the 5th overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft from the University of North Carolina, where he became the first player in Tar Heels history to total 1,000 points, 600 assists, 300 rebounds, 150 steals and 100 3-pointers. In three years at UNC, Felton averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 6.9 assists.