If you choose to define “distraction” as something that diverts your attention and keeps you from achieving your goals, then yes, Raymond Felton is correct. His arrest on felony gun charges — allegedly waiving a loaded, unregistered gun around at his estranged wife during an argument — will not be a distraction to the New York Knicks.
Because really, what are the Knicks’ goals for the rest of the season? The playoffs ship has sailed. The Knicks have to go 18-7 the rest of the way to even have a shot (that gets them 39 wins, the pace the Hawks are on).
Felton’s teammates may feel differently about this being a distraction, based on the media hoards reportedly at Knicks practice Wednesday.
Felton read a statement to the media and did not take questions (which was smart). Here is what he said, via Peter Botte of the New York Daily News:“This is not a distraction to this team,” Felton said…. “You know, I’m focusing on finishing out this season, finishing out these games with my teammates and going down to Miami and focusing on this next game at task, versus the defending champs.
“As far as what’s going on off the court with me, there will be no comment speaking on that. If you got any questions anything doing with that, speak to my lawyer.
“But other than that, I’m here to concentrate on this team, finish this season out with the New York Knicks and see what happens, man, trying to make it to the playoffs. We’re 5 ½ games out, 25 games left, so I’m really focusing on that with these guys, with the team and trying to make that happen.”
Knicks coach Mike Woodson said he would back his point guard, because what else is he going to say? Felton will travel to Miami with the team and start against the Heat Thursday. The CBA bars teams from punishing a player based only on an arrest, the league and Knicks must wait until the legal system runs its course before acting (and Felton is not due back in court until June 2, after their season ends).
Felton is in the second year of a $10 million, three-year contract with New York.
Felton’s estranged wife (she filed for divorce) and her attorney took the gun to police, who started an investigation. A couple hours after the Knicks latest home loss (to Dallas Monday night) Felton turned himself in to New York Police and spent the night in jail.
He was arraigned on Tuesday on one count of criminal possession of a firearm and one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree. With New York’s strict gun laws Felton could see real jail time for this if convicted. Felton posted $25,000 bail and the judge ordered that Felton have no contact with his wife of 19 months.