|
 "Bottom line is, Ray is part of our team," Woodson told reporters
after Wednesday's practice, in which Felton participated.
"As his coach I'm going to support him and make sure he's doing
everything the right way from here on out, and try to get him to
concentrate on basketball."
Felton, 29, was charged after his wife's divorce attorney took a
weapon that was allegedly the player's and was not registered in New
York City to a local police station, authorities said.
He is charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the third
degree and with criminal possession of a firearm, authorities said.
If convicted, he could face a prison sentence of up to seven years
on the third-degree possession charge.
He is scheduled to return to court on June 2, following the end of
the NBA's regular season.
Woodson said Felton would travel with the team for Thursday's game
in Miami against the defending National Basketball Association
champion Heat.
Felton delivered a statement to reporters, making no comment on the
case and taking no questions.
"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," he said.
"We're trying to make it to the playoffs. We're 5 1/2 games out, 25
games left. Really focusing on that with these guys on the team and
trying to make that happen."
[to top of second column] |
Felton turned himself in to face the charges early on Tuesday and
appeared later for a hearing in Manhattan Criminal Court before
Judge Diane Boyar, who set bail at $25,000.
A police source said the semi-automatic, large-capacity pistol,
loaded with about 18 bullets, was taken to a police station near the
couple's home on Manhattan's Upper West Side late Monday by an
attorney representing the player's wife, Ariane Raymondo-Felton, 26,
who filed for divorce last week.
Felton kept the gun at his home, according to the criminal
complaint, and the judge issued a six-month order of protection for
"the complainant," presumed to be his estranged wife.
"At the end of the day, he's a part of the New York Knick family and
I'm going to support him and try to get him back on track," said
coach Woodson.
"You're always surprised when something happens within your family.
But I don't know the dynamics of it, I don't know where it will go
from today."
The season has been a disappointing one for the Knicks, who won the
Atlantic Division last season. They have a 21-36 mark, having lost
three games in a row and nine of their last 11.
Felton, along with a number of his team mates, has performed poorly
through the sub-par season.
Asked if it has been a tough season for Felton, Woodson said: "It's
been tough for all of us. It's been a rollercoaster ride for our
ballclub."
(Editing by Gene Cherry)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
