By Tyler Norris Goode, STAFF WRITER
Jan. 8, 2005 11:33 p.m.
ATLANTA - During a shootaround Friday morning at Philips Arena, Sacramento's Kevin Martin stood still and listened to a respected basketball voice: Kings assistant coach Pete Carril.
More than the extra jump shots he puts up or hours he spends in the weight room, that willingness to absorb wisdom from those around him is the reason Martin is already earning the respect of veteran teammates like Doug Christie.
"He listens a lot. It's a credit to how much attention he pays to the veterans and coaches around him as to why he's getting better," said Christie, a 12-year NBA veteran who was equally tuned in to Carril during the brief 2-on-1 tutorial.
"I see him being willing to work and learn what to do," Christie continued. "It's beautiful when a guy like him has athletic ability and is willing to both listen and then put in the hard work that's necessary to reach his potential."
Martin, who left Western Carolina University after his junior season, was the Kings' first-round (26th overall) draft pick last summer.
He didn't play a quality minute through the first two months of his rookie campaign, but he's become a part of the Kings' regular rotation over the past 10 days.
"I like him," said Carril, the legendary college coach who led Princeton to 13 Ivy League titles and 11 NCAA tournament appearances in 30 years. "I help him anytime he asks me to. He's making progress. He'll be a fine player before he's done."
A new chapter
A few years of playing on basketball's grandest stage may change Martin.
The first two months, he claims, have not.
While being interviewed in Atlanta, he gestured toward his jewelry-free neck and fingers and said: "I'm just the same old Kev. I'm not all iced out or anything like that."
While his personality and lack of affection for expensive neckwear have remained as they were in his college days, a few things are quite different.
He now travels by plane rather than bus, and he stays in places like the Ritz-Carlton rather than less-extravagant hotels. Though the terms of his three-year contract have not been officially disclosed, the NBA's mandated pay for his spot in the draft assured him of no less than $2.43 million over his first three years.
He also traded in dorm life for a new home he recently closed on in Sacramento.
"That was 10 times harder than buying a car," he said. A new role
Perhaps the most obvious differences are those that appear on Sacramento's stat sheet - especially his numbers through Sacramento's first 26 games.
A high-scoring star both at his hometown high school (Zanesville, Ohio) and WCU, Martin comes off the bench and is averaging fewer points (2.9) than his lowest output in a single college game (seven).
His playing time has spiked upward during the last 10 days. But even when Martin is on the floor, Sacramento's offense usually runs away from - rather than toward - him.
His lower profile can be attributed directly to the fact that Sacramento is loaded with established veterans.
Coach Rick Adelman said Friday he's pleased with Martin's progress so far.
"Kevin is doing fine," said Adelman, who's in his 15th year as an NBA head coach. "He's getting a chance to play now, and he will keep getting chances. He worked hard when he wasn't playing, and that is paying off. At this point, he just needs experience."
A new opportunity
Though he only saw action long after games had already been decided in the first two months of the regular season, Martin finally heard his name early in a game just over a week ago.
A wrist injury to Bobby Jackson, who had been the Kings' sixth-man, opened the door. And on New Year's Eve, Adelman started looking for some fresh energy off the bench.
Sacramento was trailing Utah by nine when Martin drained his first basket, which ignited the Kings' 9-0 run that got Sacramento back in the game. The Kings went on to win.
"(Adelman) called my name in the first quarter," Martin said. "In my mind, I said: `This is kind of early.' But I just went out there and did what I do. I wasn't surprised he waited until then. He's the coach. He knows what's best for me. Not throwing me into the fire early has been a good thing."
His next time out against San Antonio, Martin made two plays - a second-quarter, buzzer-beating dunk and a behind- the-back, between-opponents' legs pass - that made ESPN SportsCenter highlights.
"A lot of rookies get thrown in right away, and that can lead to problems," said Christie, who has witnessed several first-round draftees burn out.
Sacramento's Mike Bibby, who is in his sixth NBA season, added: "Kevin does a good job of playing within himself and making things happen. He just needs time on the court to keep getting better."
Making his chances count
No fewer than five pockets of fans made the trip from Western North Carolina specifically to see Martin play Friday.
Among his fan base were his former WCU teammates, numerous students and alumni and one young Jackson County fan who has followed his entire career.
"He is awesome," said 12-year-old Joseph Lee, Scotts Creek Elementary student who attended the game with his grandfather, George Weekley. "His shooting is what I like. He hits everything."
When Martin got his one opportunity to pull the trigger, he did not disappoint Lee or anyone else who cheered him on. He drained his only shot of the night - a baseline jumper that was one step inside the 3-point line during the second quarter.
Though he'd prefer to play more frequently, he's not stressing out about his gradual induction into the league.
"I just sit back and learn," he said. "I watch the veterans, and I'm ready when the coach calls me."
http://www.citizen-times.com/cache/article/sports/73514.shtml
Jan. 8, 2005 11:33 p.m.
ATLANTA - During a shootaround Friday morning at Philips Arena, Sacramento's Kevin Martin stood still and listened to a respected basketball voice: Kings assistant coach Pete Carril.
More than the extra jump shots he puts up or hours he spends in the weight room, that willingness to absorb wisdom from those around him is the reason Martin is already earning the respect of veteran teammates like Doug Christie.
"He listens a lot. It's a credit to how much attention he pays to the veterans and coaches around him as to why he's getting better," said Christie, a 12-year NBA veteran who was equally tuned in to Carril during the brief 2-on-1 tutorial.
"I see him being willing to work and learn what to do," Christie continued. "It's beautiful when a guy like him has athletic ability and is willing to both listen and then put in the hard work that's necessary to reach his potential."
Martin, who left Western Carolina University after his junior season, was the Kings' first-round (26th overall) draft pick last summer.
He didn't play a quality minute through the first two months of his rookie campaign, but he's become a part of the Kings' regular rotation over the past 10 days.
"I like him," said Carril, the legendary college coach who led Princeton to 13 Ivy League titles and 11 NCAA tournament appearances in 30 years. "I help him anytime he asks me to. He's making progress. He'll be a fine player before he's done."
A new chapter
A few years of playing on basketball's grandest stage may change Martin.
The first two months, he claims, have not.
While being interviewed in Atlanta, he gestured toward his jewelry-free neck and fingers and said: "I'm just the same old Kev. I'm not all iced out or anything like that."
While his personality and lack of affection for expensive neckwear have remained as they were in his college days, a few things are quite different.
He now travels by plane rather than bus, and he stays in places like the Ritz-Carlton rather than less-extravagant hotels. Though the terms of his three-year contract have not been officially disclosed, the NBA's mandated pay for his spot in the draft assured him of no less than $2.43 million over his first three years.
He also traded in dorm life for a new home he recently closed on in Sacramento.
"That was 10 times harder than buying a car," he said. A new role
Perhaps the most obvious differences are those that appear on Sacramento's stat sheet - especially his numbers through Sacramento's first 26 games.
A high-scoring star both at his hometown high school (Zanesville, Ohio) and WCU, Martin comes off the bench and is averaging fewer points (2.9) than his lowest output in a single college game (seven).
His playing time has spiked upward during the last 10 days. But even when Martin is on the floor, Sacramento's offense usually runs away from - rather than toward - him.
His lower profile can be attributed directly to the fact that Sacramento is loaded with established veterans.
Coach Rick Adelman said Friday he's pleased with Martin's progress so far.
"Kevin is doing fine," said Adelman, who's in his 15th year as an NBA head coach. "He's getting a chance to play now, and he will keep getting chances. He worked hard when he wasn't playing, and that is paying off. At this point, he just needs experience."
A new opportunity
Though he only saw action long after games had already been decided in the first two months of the regular season, Martin finally heard his name early in a game just over a week ago.
A wrist injury to Bobby Jackson, who had been the Kings' sixth-man, opened the door. And on New Year's Eve, Adelman started looking for some fresh energy off the bench.
Sacramento was trailing Utah by nine when Martin drained his first basket, which ignited the Kings' 9-0 run that got Sacramento back in the game. The Kings went on to win.
"(Adelman) called my name in the first quarter," Martin said. "In my mind, I said: `This is kind of early.' But I just went out there and did what I do. I wasn't surprised he waited until then. He's the coach. He knows what's best for me. Not throwing me into the fire early has been a good thing."
His next time out against San Antonio, Martin made two plays - a second-quarter, buzzer-beating dunk and a behind- the-back, between-opponents' legs pass - that made ESPN SportsCenter highlights.
"A lot of rookies get thrown in right away, and that can lead to problems," said Christie, who has witnessed several first-round draftees burn out.
Sacramento's Mike Bibby, who is in his sixth NBA season, added: "Kevin does a good job of playing within himself and making things happen. He just needs time on the court to keep getting better."
Making his chances count
No fewer than five pockets of fans made the trip from Western North Carolina specifically to see Martin play Friday.
Among his fan base were his former WCU teammates, numerous students and alumni and one young Jackson County fan who has followed his entire career.
"He is awesome," said 12-year-old Joseph Lee, Scotts Creek Elementary student who attended the game with his grandfather, George Weekley. "His shooting is what I like. He hits everything."
When Martin got his one opportunity to pull the trigger, he did not disappoint Lee or anyone else who cheered him on. He drained his only shot of the night - a baseline jumper that was one step inside the 3-point line during the second quarter.
Though he'd prefer to play more frequently, he's not stressing out about his gradual induction into the league.
"I just sit back and learn," he said. "I watch the veterans, and I'm ready when the coach calls me."
http://www.citizen-times.com/cache/article/sports/73514.shtml
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