Lin outplayed Williams last Feb. 4 in a stunning performance off the bench, starting a phenomenon that became known as Linsanity. But the Knicks opted not to match the $25.1 million deal Lin signed with Houston, having already completed a sign-and-trade deal with Portland to reacquire Felton.

Felton played well in a previous stint with the Knicks.

"I would say Raymond Felton is a better point guard than Jeremy Lin, in my opinion," Williams said at the Nets' practice facility.

The Nets host the Knicks on Thursday in their first game at the new Barclays Center.

It would've been hard to imagine Lin not being there after the 10 games that started when he scored 25 points in a 99-92 victory over the Nets at Madison Square Garden. Williams scored 21 points and shot just 7 of 19 that night, though he made amends later in the month when he scored 38 points as the Nets won in their return to New York.

Williams stopped short of saying the Knicks are a better team without Lin as the starting point guard, but said he would rather go with Felton because of what the veteran has accomplished in the league as a starter, especially during his short stay in New York before he was included in the deal that brought Carmelo Anthony over to the Knicks.

Felton averaged 17 points and nine assists in 54 games during the 2010-11 season in New York.

"He is just proven," Williams said.

"You'll have to see Jeremy Lin. He had a heck of a run. The numbers he was putting up were All-Star type numbers when he was starting, so we'll see how he does this year. But going off of track record, you know I'm going to go with Raymond Felton and Ray probably had his best year that half season he was there. I guess he likes the bright lights."

Felton admitted being out of shape last season in Portland after the lockout, but Williams likes what he has seen of Felton, whom he has known since their high school days.

"He looks good. He looks in shape this year," Williams said.

Williams did not practice Saturday but said he will return Sunday. He was given a cortisone shot two days ago for his left ankle that's been bothering him since the Olympics.

"After the season I'm going to have to get it cleaned up. We'll see after that," Williams said. "I don't think it will be a problem. Like I said, the cortisone shots should get me through the season."

yellowboy90 wrote:

mrKnickShot wrote:I think that DWil is still pissed that Lin made an ass of him in Linsanity's coming out party.

Exactly. Also, players see Lin and the fame he has without putting in seasons of performance and I think are mad. Its the same for up and coming rookies you will not have the respect of your peers until you show you belong over time.

Mray20 wrote:

yellowboy90 wrote:

mrKnickShot wrote:I think that DWil is still pissed that Lin made an ass of him in Linsanity's coming out party.

Exactly. Also, players see Lin and the fame he has without putting in seasons of performance and I think are mad. Its the same for up and coming rookies you will not have the respect of your peers until you show you belong over time.

I doubt it D-will destroyed Lin in the rematch and he got max money this summer so he has nothing to be jealous of , he's just trying to say at this point Felton is better because of his track record and experience and Lin only started 25 games, I agree with him , in the future we will see if he turns out to be better or not.

Rematch? This is a team game and not boxing. It was a rematch only to Deron - he is a star. He came out that game and made it a point to do things on his own, and he hit everything. No one would have stopped him that night. As for the rest of the season?

Feltons track record? He had a great partial season with us before petering out the last few weeks before the trade. I do hope Felton plays at that pre-peter level again though. I like Felton, but he can't pass anywhere near as good as Lin and when both are healthy, Lin is the better defender and Lin was super clutch last year. Felton can take a beating physically though, the jury is still out on Lin there. Maybe in the end that weighs a lot.

We got bigger problems than Felton/Lin right now. Camby has been out 1 month with a minor injury and now Stat is joining the party. These two players were brought up as a reason to NOT let Lin go - Insurance. Even though they play a different position, Stat is a very good scorer and if he is not here this season, I don't think we have a chance against Miami. Even with him and no Lin I'm not sure we have much of a chance.

Bonn1997 wrote:If I wanted to know about a player's PG skills, I would not seek DWill's opinion. He's basically a glorified Stephon Marbury.

bonn1997 - why isn't Deron Williams thought of as Steve Nash with better defense?

Bonn1997 wrote:If I wanted to know about a player's PG skills, I would not seek DWill's opinion. He's basically a glorified Stephon Marbury.

The only similarities between D-Will and Marbury is that they can score and they played for the Nets. D-Will can play in any offense and is about as good running a pick and roll as you can get. Honestly, are you saying you wouldn't have been chucking it up if you played on the roster the Nets had the past few years?

Felton is a better fit for this Knicks squad and cheaper too!

P.S. - By the way, with this quote from Deron, you know alot of NBA players are jealous of Jeremy Lin's contract even if they're making more money than him. 25 game anomaly gets you 8 figures so easily. I can totally see why the Knicks didn't match, would've divided the locker room completely. JR Smith, who's making turd nuggets compared, would've thrown a hissy fit. All NBA point guards will "release the hounds" on Lin's ass this season.

holfresh wrote:

IrishKnickFan wrote:why are we even still talking about lin we should just focus on our team now. I mean i feel some dislike lin and are trying to prove he is a bum. The truth is we dont know what lin is but im not concerned with lin anymore im more concerned with the knicks

We talk about everything associated with the Knicks, past, present, and future..It has always been the case and will always be the case....We even talk about Ewing and Oak, you going to complain about that too??

quote] Not complaining at all man. However we cant compare lin to oak/ewing. Those guys are knicks legends.

holfresh - why you (cough) comparing Oak (cough) and Ewing to (cough) Lin?

(hilarious)

I miss comparing Nate Bowman to Lin.