Yeah, but at the beginning of the season, even when we lost we were always close. How many times were we blown out before Martin came back? And now?
Just for reference, Martin has been back 11 games (12 including tonight). 12 games prior to his return:
@ MIL +1
@ CHI +4
CLE -13
LAL -9
DEN +5
PHI -10
@ LAL -1
DAL -8
PHO -4
@ GSW -7
DEN +2
ORL -21
Kevin returns, Kings 3-9 in 12 prior games. With Kevin:
@ PHI -12
@ WAS -10
@ CHA -2
@ ATL -11
@ ORL -16
@ MIA -31
GSW +2
@ UTAH -17
CHA -17
@ DEN -3
SPURS -2
Phoenix -ugly
Note that 8 of the games since his return have been on the road, versus only 3 in the prior stretch. Also note that the Kings have been streaky all year- early in the season we had 4W/4L/4W/4L stacked together. And, as has been discussed to death, other teams are figuring out our three rookies.
In sum: Kings were bad then and are bad now. Martin has not proven to be the answer, but there is a lot of ball left to be played.