http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/14090771p-14920855c.html
Martin draws task of guarding Bryant
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, January 19, 2006
It is, quite frankly, the near-impossible task.
Guarding Kobe Bryant? Like stopping an avalanche with your bare hands. And tonight, he's Kevin Martin's snowball to stop.
The Kings' second-year shooting guard has improved his defense significantly. They are quantum leaps in relation to his college days at Western Carolina, where scoring was the one and only item on his to-do list.
But there are defensive challenges, and then there is Bryant, the Lakers' MVP candidate and the league's leading scorer who enters tonight's game against the Kings on the hottest roll of his career.
There's nothing complicated about the game plan to contain greatness: stay in front of him, contest all shots, and ask for plenty of help.
"You just go out and play the best 'D' you've got," Martin said. "You can't get down because you know he's still going to score his points, and you rely on help from your other teammates."
Kings coach Rick Adelman said Martin's maturation process is about to take another step.
"He's got to grow up quick," Adelman said. "Kevin's going to be guarding him. We're going to be putting different people on him and trying to contain him. You're not going to stop (Bryant). He's too much of a competitor."
The competitive fire within Bryant inevitably will have him taking the floor with wide eyes, eager to school the young Martin en route to another highlight-filled night. But with injured shooting guard Bonzi Wells out, the Kings' coaching staff said Martin is the best man for the job.
"I really do believe he has a better chance of staying in front of (Bryant) as anybody on our team because he can move his feet," Kings assistant coach Elston Turner said. "He has all the tools that are required to play defense, and that is athleticism, mobility, quick feet."
And while much room for defensive improvement remains, he's certainly not the same player he was a couple of years ago.
Martin admits he wasn't asked to play much defense in college. As a junior, he was too busy scoring, averaging 24.9 points per game (second in the nation among Division I schools) and using the other end of the floor to rest for offense.
"I didn't have to play 'D,' but I knew I could play it because I was quick and could stay in front of guys," Martin said. "Then I got here and learned some things. I'm much improved defensively. Defense is about energy and heart and if you want to do it. I've got all the attributes, and you've just got to have energy and heart."
Lessons came quickly after the Kings drafted Martin in June 2004. In his second preseason game, he faced Bryant for the first time. In a Lakers rout, he helped hold Bryant to 10 points on 2-of-10 shooting in 33 minutes. This preseason, Bryant scored 24 points against Martin and teammates in a 105-103 Lakers win.
"My first time meeting him, I was a little shy, but this time it will be different matching up with him for 40 minutes," Martin said. "I'll watch a lot of film." After tonight's game, he hopes this is film worth watching again.
Martin draws task of guarding Bryant
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, January 19, 2006
It is, quite frankly, the near-impossible task.
Guarding Kobe Bryant? Like stopping an avalanche with your bare hands. And tonight, he's Kevin Martin's snowball to stop.
The Kings' second-year shooting guard has improved his defense significantly. They are quantum leaps in relation to his college days at Western Carolina, where scoring was the one and only item on his to-do list.
But there are defensive challenges, and then there is Bryant, the Lakers' MVP candidate and the league's leading scorer who enters tonight's game against the Kings on the hottest roll of his career.
There's nothing complicated about the game plan to contain greatness: stay in front of him, contest all shots, and ask for plenty of help.
"You just go out and play the best 'D' you've got," Martin said. "You can't get down because you know he's still going to score his points, and you rely on help from your other teammates."
Kings coach Rick Adelman said Martin's maturation process is about to take another step.
"He's got to grow up quick," Adelman said. "Kevin's going to be guarding him. We're going to be putting different people on him and trying to contain him. You're not going to stop (Bryant). He's too much of a competitor."
The competitive fire within Bryant inevitably will have him taking the floor with wide eyes, eager to school the young Martin en route to another highlight-filled night. But with injured shooting guard Bonzi Wells out, the Kings' coaching staff said Martin is the best man for the job.
"I really do believe he has a better chance of staying in front of (Bryant) as anybody on our team because he can move his feet," Kings assistant coach Elston Turner said. "He has all the tools that are required to play defense, and that is athleticism, mobility, quick feet."
And while much room for defensive improvement remains, he's certainly not the same player he was a couple of years ago.
Martin admits he wasn't asked to play much defense in college. As a junior, he was too busy scoring, averaging 24.9 points per game (second in the nation among Division I schools) and using the other end of the floor to rest for offense.
"I didn't have to play 'D,' but I knew I could play it because I was quick and could stay in front of guys," Martin said. "Then I got here and learned some things. I'm much improved defensively. Defense is about energy and heart and if you want to do it. I've got all the attributes, and you've just got to have energy and heart."
Lessons came quickly after the Kings drafted Martin in June 2004. In his second preseason game, he faced Bryant for the first time. In a Lakers rout, he helped hold Bryant to 10 points on 2-of-10 shooting in 33 minutes. This preseason, Bryant scored 24 points against Martin and teammates in a 105-103 Lakers win.
"My first time meeting him, I was a little shy, but this time it will be different matching up with him for 40 minutes," Martin said. "I'll watch a lot of film." After tonight's game, he hopes this is film worth watching again.
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