Felton, Stoudemire Starting to Connect
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Amar'e Stoudemire converts another pretty feed from Raymond Felton.
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It may have taken six games, but it appears the Knicks co-captains have found their chemistry.
Amar’e Stoudemire and Raymond Felton put on a clinic and showed fans at The World’s Most Famous Arena what lies in store once the season tips off next week in New York’s thrilling 117-111 win over the New Jersey Nets.
“(Ray) played really well,” said Head Coach Mike D’Antoni. “Amar’e played well and they look good together. A lot more speed.”
Stoudemire finished the game with 39 points, 11 boards and two blocked shots, while Felton recorded 13 points, 11 assists and four boards. It was the first double-double for both players in a Knicks uniform, and it is no coincidence they occurred on the same night.
“They’re a lot better (now than a few weeks ago),” D’Antoni said about his dynamic duo. “I thought this was Raymond’s best game tonight, and I think it could be Amar’e’s best too. But you can see the pace starting to slow down as they understand the pick and roll. Things are pretty good.”
Felton has clearly started to grasp how to play at the correct tempo in D’Antoni’s speedball offense. While it took time for him to adjust to the breakneck pace, now that he has it is easy to see how the rest of the Knicks on the court will reap the benefits. The heady point guard looked every bit the floor general that Knicks fans hoped he would be when he signed over the summer, distributing the ball all over the court.
Still, the biggest beneficiary of Felton’s strong play will obviously be the big man down low. Four of Felton’s 11 dimes went to Amar’e – and that number could have been much higher had the Nets’ defenders not fouled Stoudemire repeatedly. STAT went to the free throw line 19 times, with the majority coming off fancy feeds from Felton.
Amar’e Stoudemire and Raymond Felton put on a clinic and showed fans at The World’s Most Famous Arena what lies in store once the season tips off next week in New York’s thrilling 117-111 win over the New Jersey Nets.
“(Ray) played really well,” said Head Coach Mike D’Antoni. “Amar’e played well and they look good together. A lot more speed.”
Stoudemire finished the game with 39 points, 11 boards and two blocked shots, while Felton recorded 13 points, 11 assists and four boards. It was the first double-double for both players in a Knicks uniform, and it is no coincidence they occurred on the same night.
“They’re a lot better (now than a few weeks ago),” D’Antoni said about his dynamic duo. “I thought this was Raymond’s best game tonight, and I think it could be Amar’e’s best too. But you can see the pace starting to slow down as they understand the pick and roll. Things are pretty good.”
Felton has clearly started to grasp how to play at the correct tempo in D’Antoni’s speedball offense. While it took time for him to adjust to the breakneck pace, now that he has it is easy to see how the rest of the Knicks on the court will reap the benefits. The heady point guard looked every bit the floor general that Knicks fans hoped he would be when he signed over the summer, distributing the ball all over the court.
Still, the biggest beneficiary of Felton’s strong play will obviously be the big man down low. Four of Felton’s 11 dimes went to Amar’e – and that number could have been much higher had the Nets’ defenders not fouled Stoudemire repeatedly. STAT went to the free throw line 19 times, with the majority coming off fancy feeds from Felton.
