Hahn: Toney Douglas doesn't mind being a backup.
by Seth on Jul 15, 2010 4:47 PM EDT
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PrintAt the beginning of the summer, Toney Douglas appeared to be the starting point guard by default. The Raymond Felton signing put that assumption to rest. Felton has several years of starting experience under his belt, and it sounds as if there won't be much of a training camp battle for the first-string one-spot. Toney, via Alan Hahn, tells us that's fine by him:
And when he heard about Felton, Douglas wasn't disappointed.
"Actually, I have no problem with that," he said. "It's a good thing. I feel we complement each other because he plays defense just like I play defense."
Douglas also noted that, while in Charlotte, Felton often played with DJ Augustin in the same backcourt, "so I can see me and him playing together, too."
That's the message that Mike D'Antoni gave to Douglas when they talked about Felton joining the team. "He told me we would be playing a lot together because I'm versatile and he's versatile, too."
That versatility is the key here. Douglas will certainly spell Felton as the primary ballhandler, but Toney's ability to operate off the ball and shoot from range means the two guards can and should spin as a tandem. The two would be a trifle undersized against some lineups, but could be positively electric (boogie woogie woogie) in the open court and wreak havoc on defense.
Not to be lost in all of this is how well Douglas has handled the uncertainty and change. It's exactly what we've come to expect from Toney, but don't take for granted what a class act our second-year guard is. Do what Toney Douglas do, friends.
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drive what toney douglas drive
how is this not an ad campaign already?
by latrell chokewell on Jul 15, 2010 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Permission is kind of strong but yes
D’Antoni showed some good player coach communication there, something that supposedly he doesn’t do. Douglas is one of our key players, he is going to get his minutes and he is going to play a major role in our success this season. D’Antoni needs to keep his spirits up, because the fact is we need Douglas to play well to have any chance of making the playoffs. If you look at what our bench may be this year, Douglas will definitely be one of the guys looked to to score. Plus it shows that Douglas is a mature confident guy. I know he wanted to start, but he also wants to win, Felton can help this team win now, he can also be a mentor to Douglas to help him improve his game. Together Douglas and Felton could give us a pretty solid combination at point guard over the next two seasons.
by Robert Currence on Jul 16, 2010 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
You know
I think that D’antoni can communicate if he wants to but he just doesn’t want to bother with players that he doesn’t like. If Toney threw a shit-fit about the Felton signing (Of course, we all know he ain’t like that, D’antoni does too), then D’antoni would be through communicating to him. He just doesn’t have the time for guys with sensitive egos that need to be coddled and stroked.
not tryna argue but...
D’ Antoni quoteth:
“What is there to understand? That’s the way life is,” D’Antoni said Saturday. “I think everybody understands we’re trying to win.”- when asked if larry hughes understood his benching & DNP
now I 100% agree with the statement and the sentiment behind it. I also think Pringles is a good coach as far as X&O’s are concerned. I like his strategies and I hear he can be a player friendly coach. I don’t think he’s ever read a book on conflict resolution tho. Is it his job to hold these players hands and coddle them and discuss his decisions? No. Should he put that aside and give into it once in a while. I think so. Certain players need it, and it could help them become better. I think he is aware of this and maybe he’s working on it with anticipation of things looking a bit brighter these days.
What did the 5 fingers say to the face?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7CBwX1891A
HaHaHaHa!
by Lord Smackington on Jul 16, 2010 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
yea..he ain't Phil Jackson with regard to dealing with players on their period...
Phil Jackson invented the NBA size tampon.
Pringles just avoid that shit like a Jamaican yelling BLOOD CLOT!
Bye, Lee :(
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 16, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
I mean more then TD's attitude
it shows that there is communication and more importantly a plan forming as to what’s going to be created here. Two similar but versatile guards should work well here especially because we have a 5 man group that can lock down on defense with Turiaf, Amar’e, Gallo, TD, and Felton. I mean our lineups are sure to create mismatches and exploit weaknesses.
It seemed that all the players that complaiend about lack of communication
were people that were not in on the plan.
I am a fan of both the mets and knicks... so just kill me now.
I agree on attitude and plan but they are
Not really the similar players. Felton at his best is more of the classic pass first facilitator who can score when he needs to, where Douglas has always a scorer who can also pass wen he needs to. Bringing Felton actually let’s Douglas play the style of ball that he is best at. Douglas is really more like Parker a guard who can get assists in the context of trying to get his own shot. There isn’t a coincidence that some of Douglas’ best games last year assist wise were also games where he had his best nights scoring.
by Robert Currence on Jul 16, 2010 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions
DWTDD
Toney is going to do whatever it is Toney wants to do. Toney wants to do whatever the team needs him to do. So Toney will do what is needed of Toney to do. Toney will do it the way Toney does.
I am a fan of both the mets and knicks... so just kill me now.
"What's the name of the game where there are a bunch of chairs and music playing. And when the music stops, everyone has to sit down in a chair?"
“Oh man, I uhhhh….I really can’t remember. Duck Duck Goose, is it?”
Yeah.
Duck Duck Goose was when you sit in a circle and one kid walks around tapping everyone. When you tap them, you say duck. After walking around, you pick a “goose” and you have to run around the circle and sit in their spot.
Damn I feel like an idiot for taking the time to break that down.
by JerzeeBalla on Jul 16, 2010 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
UPDATE
Watching Mets game. Just heard Keith Hernandez (I think) say “Wheeling & Dealing.” I’m speechless.
picked up a few clyde-isms
working on the set of “just for men” hair coloring i bet.
He shoots, he scores!
"Game Knows Game"
by Ray Smuckles on Jul 15, 2010 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe, one day,
I can do what Toney Douglas do, too.
"He's the straw that makes the drink go."
by Thelonious Dunk on Jul 16, 2010 12:45 AM EDT reply actions
Drink what toney douglas drink
"He's the straw that makes the drink go."
by Thelonious Dunk on Jul 16, 2010 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I think you may see
Felton / Azubuike as the starters at the 1 and 2, with Douglas as the third guard, and maybe Felton / Douglas to close out games.
True
If Azubuike is healthy when the season begins. But as you mention above, Felton combo with Douglas would indeed close out games with their defense….Can’t wait to see them in action.
good try...
buuuuut, you may want to worry about who Avery Johnson is gonna molest on the sideline
Go New York Go!
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 18, 2010 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions
you really think Douglas will play alongside Felton?
Neither are good shooters the coach just lied to him.
look up a stat or 10.
Both actually ARE good shooters. Felton shot 38.5% from 3 last year (that’s good, in case your not up to date with that), 45.9% overall (also good, especially for a PG).
Toney Douglas shot inexplicably, nearly identical, at 38.9% from 3, and 45.8% overall (in case you missed the first half of this lecture, that’s good).
Felton is more of a pure point. Toney Douglas is more of a combo guard, that can play well off the ball as a pure scorer.
So Pringles did not lie…you did. Felton and TD most likely could be a very effective lineup. Not to start, but in a rotation.
And use the reply button.
Go New York Go!
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 19, 2010 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
In a slow, methodical offense Felton shot that but you got that
TD barely got any PT last year why in the world would he next year with more talent on the roster.
Shooting at the point guard spot is a little different than as a shooting guard. I don’t see it.
you wouldn't see it I guess...
Felton shooting that in a slow an methodical offense, when he’s a player bettter suited to be running a Pringles style offesne, he’ll probably shoot better then that.
As for Toney Douglas….he averaged just over 19, but it was more like 30 the last 2 months of the season. And any time he had extended minutes, he did all kinds of work.
But you don’t have to see it I guess. Just keep in mind that you will see it once the season starts.
Go New York Go!
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 19, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm a realistic Nets fan
Last year they were out of it, the last 2 months were garbage’ time. It’s the same with our fans drooling over Terrence William’s last 2 months (rookie of the month in 1).
TWill may be really good off the bench it’s hard to say off a small sample.
Like I said I don’t see TD and Felton playing together. Has he ever played 2 point guards together? Barbosa’s a shooting guard.
Maybe your coach won’t frustrate another player being dishonest….We’ll see.
Toney Douglas is not the type of player who Pringles will frustrate
its funny that people don’t even try to see what’s what with those player alienation things. Marbury and Hughes are assholes. They deserve nothing. Harrington played a ton of minutes, but he sucked and deserved nothing and definitely not deserved of being welcomed back. Nate is a child, and deserves nothing.
Barbosa is a good comparison. That’s who TD is like, like I said…a combo guard more then a point guard. Maybe you do see it?
No one’s drooling over Toney Douglas. Saying he’d be a good rotation player off the bench and in a lineup with Ray Felton, when its as clear as day that he can play with him (as TD is more of a scorer then a PG)..I dunno what else to tell you.
Will it be good? Who knows.
Will Felton and TD be on the court at the same time? Absolutely. Pringles didn’t even have to go and say this for it to make sense.
Go New York Go!
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 19, 2010 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Toney Douglas like Barbosa? Wow.
They can’t all be the problem. In every situation MD’s there. Dumbury yeah, Hughes maybe but Al was a decent player I never saw a problem with him. Can’t wait for Lee to open up about the coach.
Nah I don’t see the similarity. Barbosa has that speed and a good jumper. Never saw anything special from Toney.
I said Nets fans are drooling over TWill not TD.
Didn’t they draft a shooting guard? Why would they want to play TD next to Felton instead of a pure shooter?
Whatever it’s not important.
Where are you getting
TD is not a good shooter from? Kid put up 3pt s at almost 40 and he was also a good shooter in college.
TD is not a point guard. Hes a combo guard, much like Nate was. And Nate played alot of time with Duhon so ur point of Dantoni not playing 2 PGs together isnt true either.
And Dantoni does get himself into the middle of conflicts with players, but look at who it was with. Hughes and Starbury who i will never blame Dantoni for because those guys were constantly battling coaches. Harrington? Al should be lucky Mike played him so many minutes and let him keep chucking away. And Nate? I honestly think that Dantoni benched him as a result of his immaturity and only kept him on the bench because of the winning streak. But I don’t mind Dantoni eventually pushing Nate out of the door, he was basically a smaller version of Harrington. Douglas will play much better in the back-up point/combo guard off the bench than nate ever could in this system, Toney already said that Pringles came to him before the Felton signing to talk about bringing in another point guard. So theres not gonna be any controversy here.
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