Felton's time with stars special
Veteran guard not just a positive influence on young players, but on George, Westbrook, too
Some nights it's started with a head nod. Others by a single word. Whatever the indication that it's time, Paul George and Raymond Felton rise from their lockers in unison before every game.
“Ladies, ladies, gentlemen,” George says as they pass the Thunder public relations staff members and remaining reporters on their way out. Felton smiles.
They walk side by side down a brightly lit hallway and turn. They can glimpse the court, but they still have a few more minutes for private conversation. A fan catches sight of George, and his name ripples throughout the crowd. Arms reach from all sides. Then they step on the court and finally split off to warm up.
Felton, in his 14th season in the NBA, of course influences the younger players on the Thunder, but he also has a positive impact on the stars: George and Russell Westbrook.
OKC signed Felton as a free agent in July 2017, but he knows Westbrook and George's tendencies like he's played with them for longer.
“It's something that's beyond basketball,” Felton said. “We'll still be friends
when we all get in our 60s, we're still going to be tight. So that's the amazing part of it.”
Felton knows that Westbrook stays zoned-in before games. George on the other hand, he and Felton began their ritual of walking out together this season.
“You have little small little conversations,” Felton said. “It could be motivation. It could be taking about things to get your mind off before you get on the court: might be having problems at home or in your family or whatever. You have that little grace period to talk about it, get it out your mind, help each other.
“And then when you step in these lines it's time to go to work, it's business now, you put all that behind you. So it's a lot that goes on in those little walks.”
After the Thunder's 120111 win over Portland last week, Felton said Westbrook and George set the tone for a team with some of the best chemistry he's ever seen. In humble fashion, he didn't mention his own veteran leadership.
Felton's on-court responsibilities have diminished since the Thunder added point guard Dennis Schroder in the offseason. Felton went from being Westbrook's backup last season to playing in just 17 games so far this season.
“He's been big on the bench,” Thunder center Nerlens Noel said, “talking to guys, talking to guys on the court especially. Giving tips, even after timeouts he's giving you that extra word that you need, one thing you might be a little slow on, a little too fast on.”
When forward Jerami Grant started the night 0-for-5 from the field in the Thunder's 117-112 win over the Rockets last week, Felton pulled him aside.
“I told him to stick with it no matter what,” Felton said. “'We need you.'”
Grant made three of his four shots in the second half.
With Westbrook and George it's a little different. They, too, are veterans – maybe not of 14 years, but their 11 and 9 seasons, respectively, make for enough experience that Felton doesn't need to give them mechanical tweaks.
“Sometimes,” Felton said, “you need to let them know, `You're slacking on what you're doing right now,' just getting them back focused in a sense.”
In return, they've talked Felton through his transition to a new role.
“These guys have really helped me to be even more professional,” Felton said. “Even with going through the situation of not playing, and the first time in my career that's ever happened, those guys have really been a great help to keep me encouraged and say, `Look man, we're going to need you. So stay ready.'”
Felton filled in for Schroder in the Thunder's last two games while Schroder was gone for the birth of his child. Felton scored 15 points in the Thunder's win over Portland, his first appearance since Dec. 30.
“It didn't surprise me,” Westbrook said after the game. “I'm just extremely happy for him because I see him putting the work in every day, the struggle of not playing, and I know that's tough to do.”
Five days later, Felton, Westbrook and George sat courtside together to watch Thunder rookie Hamidou Diallo win the dunk contest. Westbrook and George would compete in the All-Star Game the next day. But Felton, who grew up in South Carolina and played for North Carolina, chose to spend Saturday in Charlotte.
“Come on P, with all them waves in your head” Felton called to George after the contest, referencing his new haircut.
The three veterans gathered around the rookie, golden trophy in hand. They smiled for the camera, joined by Felton's arms around their shoulders.