ESPN: Martin one of best not to make All-Stars

[91sickness]

Even though our Kings are lets say... not so hot this year, here is some positive talk to keep us going through this tough rebuild.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-090131-0201

Meet The Harpers: Best Players Who Have Never Been All-Stars
By Marc Stein
ESPN.com

You know the All-Star starters. You know the All-Star subs.

You're ready, then, for the East and West editions of our All-Harper Team, honoring the best active players who have never made it to the All-Star Game, and named in tribute to two Stein Line favorites who were snubbed throughout their careers: Derek Harper and Ron Harper.

Eligibility for the Harpers is restricted to active players who have never made an All-Star roster and who have at least three full seasons of experience. Reason being, it's too early to start throwing around the "S" word when we're talking about rookies (Derrick Rose), sophomores (Kevin Durant) or even the best third-year All-Star aspirants (Rajon Rondo and Paul Millsap)...

Guards: Deron Williams (Utah) and Kevin Martin (Sacramento)
These picks obviously need the least elaboration, because both players are so sensational.

With or without applying our aforementioned mandate that Harpers candidates have to have at least three full seasons of experience, D-Will is the runaway choice for best NBA player who has never been named as an All-Star. Which could force David Stern to make an interesting choice -- D-Will or Carmelo Anthony -- if an injury in the West creates a roster opening for a commissioner's pick.

Martin isn't quite at that level, but he's another young Harper who'll be off this list sooner rather than later. This season, realistically, was the ultra-efficient swingman's first legit crack at a West reserve spot, but an ankle injury that cost him 22 games and the Kings' own eyesore of a record (10-37) ruled him out...

Glad to see our boy Martin gettin some love. Its not only us thinking he deserves an All Star spot!!

P.S. shout out to Bibby for getting recognized as well!

 

[Andre87]

not this year though... last year yeah he deserved that if not an injury

 

[OptimusRhyme]

Kevin has alot of work to becoming an all-star IMO. Hes a great scorer right now with great offensive IQ, but his defense is weak( I have noticed some improvements) his rotations are not as quick as they should be considering how fast he is. He needs to be that pesky in your face type of defender like Bowen. Im not saying he should be a lock down defender but he should be a solid pesky defender considering his athletic attributes. The Kid has great stamina so he should be able to do it on both ends for us, when he can stop his man consistenly he will be an allstar. His passing has improved too i've noticed. Get workin on that defense Kev.
Maybe we should bring Doug back to mentor Kevin on the defensive end

 

[bajaden]

Kevin has alot of work to becoming an all-star IMO. Hes a great scorer right now with great offensive IQ, but his defense is weak( I have noticed some improvements) his rotations are not as quick as they should be considering how fast he is. He needs to be that pesky in your face type of defender like Bowen. Im not saying he should be a lock down defender but he should be a solid pesky defender considering his athletic attributes. The Kid has great stamina so he should be able to do it on both ends for us, when he can stop his man consistenly he will be an allstar. His passing has improved too i've noticed. Get workin on that defense Kev.
Maybe we should bring Doug back to mentor Kevin on the defensive end

Martin gets beaten off the dribble constantly. He's certainly athletic enough to be a good defender. Now anyone can be beaten off the dribble by a good player. Especially since most players are allowed to carry the ball in todays NBA. All players have tendicies. They like to go in a particular direction. They all have their favorite spot on the floor. Good defenders try and deny them that spot, and overplay the direction they want to go. You try and force them into the heart of the defense.

Of course, to do all this, you have to do your homework and watch film. Good defenders stay in front of their man because, first, their athletic enough to do so, and second, they have a good idea which way he's going to go. I just don't think Martin puts in the time to get to know the player he's defending.

 

[rhythmless]

i dont put much stock in the all star recognition. being in a small town has its disadvantages in these type of national competitions. we're not televised anymore, and for all but fantasy drafters, the kings, for all intents and purposes, arent on the nba radar.

Kevin does not deserve it right now, and with Kobe, the emergence of Roy, and with the Yao Ming effect helping T-Mac, KMart not only has to overcome his single dimensional game, but he needs to be so good that he gets some national recognition. Can't forget about Manu either.

Good thing he's not in the east, because Iguodala, Johnson, and Wade ahve the SG spot locked up for a while.

When Kobe and Tmac decline (tmac to the point where its not even justified by Chinese fans), Kmart's All Star bid is on him. Undoubtedly, he is a top 5 SG scorer right now, but as for being an impact player, he needs to find ways to impact the game when he is not scoring.

 

[kingsnation]

Even though one of our Kings is finally getting some national love, somehow I knew that someone was going to turn this into a "Let's list and count the reasons why Kevin will never be an all-star thread.."



Kevin, congrats on getting some recognition, even if it's not from your team's own fans!

 

[asakkings]

Kmart needs to be sent Kobe's school of how to play defense and work hard.

 

[Insomniacal Fan]

Good defenders try and deny them that spot, and overplay the direction they want to go. You try and force them into the heart of the defense.

It helps if your defense has a heart.

 

[Dime Dropper]

Kmart needs to be sent Kobe's school of how to play defense and work hard.

My head hurts when I try to contemplate why anyone would think Kevin doesn't work hard. It's a fairly ridiculous opinion to have.

Say what you want about his defense, but he's worked insanely hard to get where he is today.

 

[FakeInjury]

One thing i have noticed about KM's game is his lack of a crossover. Iverson had a crossover that was by all accounts the best crossover in the game. AI is a decent to good defender because he knows when the opposing player is going to use a crossover depending on his feet and where they are positioned; and in that instance of recognition, AI switches stances and should have the opportunity to pick pocket. Imagine it like this, a defensive crossover. Kevin either hasn't learned how to do that, or his feet aren't there.

 

[Kingster]

Martin gets beaten off the dribble constantly. He's certainly athletic enough to be a good defender. Now anyone can be beaten off the dribble by a good player. Especially since most players are allowed to carry the ball in todays NBA. All players have tendicies. They like to go in a particular direction. They all have their favorite spot on the floor. Good defenders try and deny them that spot, and overplay the direction they want to go. You try and force them into the heart of the defense.

Of course, to do all this, you have to do your homework and watch film. Good defenders stay in front of their man because, first, their athletic enough to do so, and second, they have a good idea which way he's going to go. I just don't think Martin puts in the time to get to know the player he's defending.

I really think the lack of D has a lot to do with his ankle *this year*. Martin definitely can be a good defender when healthy if he put his mind to it. I remember when he was a rookie and he had to play D to get playing time. He didn't have much knowledge then of how to play it, but I recall that in a Portland game he played D against a point guard, the point guard faked Martin who bit on the fake, the point guard then went up for the jump shot, and Martin had the quickness to recover and block his shot. Now you don't see that everyday in the NBA. You can only do it if you have some major athletic ability. He's got the ability, but so far he hasn't translated that into consistent D on the court.

 

[Bricklayer]

I love how the "ultraefficient" tag sticks to Kevin like glue even when it is not particularly true. In the face of increased pressure and needing to create his own shot he's shooting .422 ths season, which is Iverson efficiency.

 

[asakkings]

I give KM the fact that he is a hardworker but he hasnt developed some of the things that he is lacked since coming into the league like creating his own shot and defense. He has gotten better and more confident at things he already did well.

 

[Kingzrool]

I never get why people put so much weight on what is essentially a popularity contest.

 

[Bricklayer]

I never get why people put so much weight on what is essentially a popularity contest.

Only the starters are a popularity contest. The reserves are picked by the coaches who should collectively know a thing or two about who deserves it.