Kevin Martin is Overrated.

[PoundForPound]

I think K-Mart is very much overrated and isn't a lock for MIP.

First of all, he is VERY inconsistant. He'll go on a stretch where he'll be productive but then he'll have a slip-up game, ok, but no, one slip-up game means 15 in a row for Kevin. He just has problems with his confidence. second, how the heck can you score 20 pts on 1 fg? i think scoring that many pts at the foul line doesn't make you any better, maybe just better at flopping but that's it. and last, he doesn't play defense which we all know..

 

[Widowmaker2k]

Kevin Martin has been in a slump lately, and is not a lock for MIP, but overrated? That's a stretch. It's his 3rd year in the league, and he's averaging 20.6 ppg on 48% fg shooting. That's pretty good for a late first rounder. Not that I'm saying that Martin is better by any means, but he's averaging more ppg than a certain Kobe Bryant did in his 3rd year, as well as shooting at a higher clip. His defense is streaky. If he can focus on improving it and make a conscious effort on the court, he has the intelligence and athleticism to be a very good defender. He has the opportunity to be a future all-star caliber player, whether he develops into that role or not is up to him, but he seems to be on track for it.

 

[Cal-Kings]

I think K-Mart is very much overrated and isn't a lock for MIP.

First of all, he is VERY inconsistant. He'll go on a stretch where he'll be productive but then he'll have a slip-up game, ok, but no, one slip-up game means 15 in a row for Kevin. He just has problems with his confidence. second, how the heck can you score 20 pts on 1 fg? i think scoring that many pts at the foul line doesn't make you any better, maybe just better at flopping but that's it. and last, he doesn't play defense which we all know..

What NBA player isn't inconsistent? No player in the league shoots 50% every single game. That's why it's an AVERAGE.

And being able to score 20 points on 1 field goal means he's recognized that his shot isn't falling and he's managing to find a way to score. Tell me, do you know how many of Kobe Bryant's points come from free throws? How about Allen Iverson? You realize that probably half of their points in a game, on average, are from free throws. That's the mark of someone who knows how to play the game.

His defense is fine. His only problem is he's not strong enough and does get knocked around. But he's quick and the reason he gets charges is because he's quick. Which is a valuable asset on defense. He's a 2 guard, not forward anyway. He's guarding Ray Allen just fine and Allen Iverson the other night. He guards Kobe well also.

 

[Dime Dropper]

Can someone please close this thread. I mean it's not like everybody is talking about him for MVP. It's his first year as a starter, of course he's going to be a little inconsistent, especially considering his age. This thread is a little disrespectful to Kevin (I know he probably doesn't come on here, but still) for all the hours of hard work he's put in to get where he's at.

 

[PoundForPound]

Kevin Martin has been in a slump lately, and is not a lock for MIP, but overrated? That's a stretch. It's his 3rd year in the league, and he's averaging 20.6 ppg on 48% fg shooting. That's pretty good for a late first rounder. Not that I'm saying that Martin is better by any means, but he's averaging more ppg than a certain Kobe Bryant did in his 3rd year, as well as shooting at a higher clip. His defense is streaky. If he can focus on improving it and make a conscious effort on the court, he has the intelligence and athleticism to be a very good defender. He has the opportunity to be a future all-star caliber player, whether he develops into that role or not is up to him, but he seems to be on track for it.


Who's VF24? You do know there is an edit button, right?

I think I've been had. Troll much?

look at the stats, bro, he's been off for a pretty long time

 

[tyrant]

i think its a fair topic. poundforpound would probably lose the argument; no inconsistant player in the league averages 20 points a game and shoots a 46fg%. but you CAN justify his consistancy/inconsistancy through the season with dives he's taken the last couple games.

 

[Bricklayer]

I'm not closing it, even thought there is a hint of trolling in the air, because its a legit topic.

I myself happen to think Kevin is overrated, by some at least. Mostly its a desperate need for something positive this season, for somebody to be the star, so there has been a massive overpumping of a very good but not great young player by the hype machine.

That said, he is not THAT overrated. He's probably not ever going to be an MVP candidate, and at this point still falls into my "just a scorer" category of guys who, well, are just scorers, not guys who carry teams. But he's also proven this year that he's probably a legit 20ppg scorer for a long time in this league. Defenses have adjusted, and its gotten harder for Kevin after they started really guarding him, but he's still finding ways to hang around that 20ppg mark, and on the season still at very nice percentages. Again I invoke Peja's breakout year, which statistically Kevin's is resembling more and more. And there just aren't that many guys who can get you 20 a night out there. So yeah, I think he's overrated as in future superstar, untouchable, watch out Kobe Kevin Martin is coming, but that's all just silly in the first place. This is a major player in the NBA now. Not only a starter, but a good one. Maybe even a top 10 off guard.

The MIP is something different. Not sure how not winning the MIP makes you "overrated". That award, IMHO should go to Monta Ellis for making the biggest jump this season, could go to Deron Williams for making the biggest jump that really had a big positive effect on W/Ls. But Kevin's still been one of the breakout stories this year regardless of whether there are others, so again, overrated by whom?

 

[Bricklayer]

whatever her name is.

I'm leaving the thread open as something to discuss, but the above has to stop -- we know who you are, and you know who she is, so let's just let the playing the fool stuff drop, no?

 

[tyrant]

bricks' right. but on topic i would like to say i'm one of the few. (propably the only person) who feels that we can improve without kevin. i started a thread a few months ago stating that kevin martin is good trade bait. with all of our other players in a horrible stink he (and occassionally ron) are the only 2 players that played with heart. with martin improving i think this is the perfect opportunity for petrie to pull off a blockbuster trade involving martin and a few other guys. maybe miller and s.a.r and DEFINATELY thomas.

 

[OptimusRhyme]

I really couldn't have hoped for anymore from Kevin Martin this year.
He's been incredible on an improving stand point, this was his break out year, yah his confidence is going to be down some games becaue this is all new to him, hes improving fast, IMO hes got the potential to be one of the best scorers in the league. For a team with alot of distractions, Kevin found away to play his game very well this year.

 

[Cal-Kings]

I'm not closing it, even thought there is a hint of trolling in the air, because its a legit topic.

I myself happen to think Kevin is overrated, by some at least. ...

We're only talking MIP here, not MVP.

I think the Kings organization has over-hyped him simply because there's no one else worth glorifying. It's a little embarrassing perhaps.

I also think they use Kevin's all-American boy character to counter the character of Ron-Ron. Which needs a lot of countering.

But as the team's leading scorer all season, that has to count for something positive and isn't overrated.

 

[Cal-Kings]

I really couldn't have hoped for anymore from Kevin Martin this year.
He's been incredible on an improving stand point, this was his break out year, yah his confidence is going to be down some games becaue this is all new to him, hes improving fast, IMO hes got the potential to be one of the best scorers in the league. For a team with alot of distractions, Kevin found away to play his game very well this year.

I've seen him slump his shoulders lately. I think he feels what we all feel. Huge dissapointment in the performance of this team in key games.

In the Denver game, did anyone see him walk off at half-time by slamming the ball against the backboard? That's frustration.

I think the whole team is slumping at this point. And I can't really blame them.

 

[Bricklayer]

I really couldn't have hoped for anymore from Kevin Martin this year.

I don't think many could. Kind of a little different question from overrated, just in nuance, however.

Actually there is an irony here which I have been impressed with a number of times in recent years: I think Kevin may sometimes be overrated, but I'm never going to be disappointed in him. He's already done very well, better than we could have ever asked out of a #26 pick. And so anything more at this point is just cherry on top as far as I am concerned. The irony being that the people who I think may be overrating Kevin, overhyping, whatever, are the ones who one day actually MIGHT be disappointed in him. Seen that a lot in recent years where players haven't been able to meet pie in the sky expectations, and the disappointment causes a backlash.

 

[Ryle]

I don't think he is overrated but I don't think he is the type of player you blow your team up to build around. He is a nice piece but he isn't the one to hang your hat on game in and game out. I think he is alot like Rip Hamilton...good player and an occasional all star that is solid but he needs a better supporting cast around him to be succesful and he isn't the one guy that will carry the team on his shoulders.

 

[Gary]

I think of K-Mart as a player that on a "good" team will be a great roleplayer type. A player that can help a team that is almost there get over that hump..

Folks (mostly the threadstarter) he is doing this on such a low amount of shots. He gets to the line almost at will. That says something about him.

On a good team he would be a 2nd or 3rd option putting up about 17-18ppg. But he isn't overrated AT ALL. He is just a good player playing on a bad team.

 

[Troy]

Kevin Martin has been in a slump lately, and is not a lock for MIP, but overrated? That's a stretch. It's his 3rd year in the league, and he's averaging 20.6 ppg on 48% fg shooting. That's pretty good for a late first rounder. Not that I'm saying that Martin is better by any means, but he's averaging more ppg than a certain Kobe Bryant did in his 3rd year, as well as shooting at a higher clip. His defense is streaky. If he can focus on improving it and make a conscious effort on the court, he has the intelligence and athleticism to be a very good defender. He has the opportunity to be a future all-star caliber player, whether he develops into that role or not is up to him, but he seems to be on track for it.


Who's VF24? You do know there is an edit button, right?

I think I've been had. Troll much?

X2 KMart is doing very well for being drafted later in the 1st round at #26, he is showing up many many other people that went before him. KMart is a pleasant surprise and is far surpassing what expectations we or anyone else had for him. He is also very cheap right now and if we didn't have him, we'd have even more losses with Bibby/Miller going through the motions and making way more $. It is very hard to be an All-Star in the west especially at the SG position with Kobe, McGrady, Ginobli, etc. You have to be very very good to have a chance as that position is very hard, more then others due to having the best players in the world at that the SG position in the NBA West.

KMart has really impressed me with his ability at will to draw fouls and get to the line. His defense needs some work, but with his quickness and length he is a true nightmare match up for the opponent. He was really giving Bowen a hard time and Bowen is 1 of the elite defenders in the league.

I love this kid and I can say with certainty that just about everyone here feels the same way.


We are talking about MIP which he obviously is without a doubt. He can get 20 ppg in his sleep it seems. If his shot isn't falling, he goes to the hoop and with his quickness and up fake he gets the calls and is making the teams pay at the line. He is in a little slump now, but this happens to the everyone from time to time. KMart has been an amazing scorer with very few shot attemps and his game that he had like 19 free throw conversions in 1 game was just amazing, kind if sucks he only had like 1 basket from the field, but the guy has really stepped up this year and I'm so happy we have him. He is the light at the end of the tunnel to an otherwise very disappointing season. Justin Williams is another light that is starting to shine, Price has had his moments too....hopefully we go into a full rebuilding mode and keep these guys around, KMart it's a given, but not for Williams or Price, these guys are beating the odds being undrafted free agents that stuck and are playing in the NBA, the best B-Ball league in the World!!!

 

[Bricklayer]

As an aside, this is how you can be "overrated" and still pretty damn good:

Top 10 off guards (mine):

1) Kobe
2) Wade
3) TMac (Battier makes him OG normally)
4) Iverson (back at OG next to Blake)
5) Allen
6) Johnson
7) Carter
8) Redd
9) Rip
10) Kevin/JRich (if he regains form)/Hughes (maybe not)/Gordon (take Kevin over him)

If you call a guy like Iggy an OG he's up there somewhere. Pierce is a SF at this point. Ricky Davis had a bad year. So did Manu. Roy is coming fast, but not there yet. Did I forget anybody?

In any case, so if somebody is saying he belongs in that Top 4, they are overrating him. In the next 4, maybe one day. Maybe. In the conversation for 9-12 or whatever? Absolutely.

 

[vfettke]

he's young. he's in his first year as a starter. he's been thrust into the spotlight to a degree. and he's on a team that has little to no chemistry, a coach who gets no respect, and some players who are past their prime but try to pretend they're not. with the way the season's gone its probably taken a toll on him and he's just started giving up.

that's my take on it

 

[Ryan]

How old is he again?

 

[Bricklayer]

How old is he again?

24.

 

[Kingster]

Overated compared to what? As Reynolds might say, what rate is he over?

For his age he's playing very well. He looks to me like he has legit All-Star potential. I have no idea how long it will take him to get there. It could be next year, it could be three years from. And if he doesn't continue to work on his game, he'll never get there. He has a shot, though, which most of the guys in age bracket in the NBA don't have.

 

[Ryan]

24.

Thought so.

 

[artest93fan]

u guys have to remember that this is kevin's first season playing heavy minutes coming of the bench minutes and starting minutes are really different and hard to adjust to

 

[kupman]

Overrated?.........I did not even know there was a rating system at work. Where is the rating system?.....Where is Kmart rated on this system?

 

[BudWright]

Kevin has received praise/attention from coaches around the league (Popovich, Nelson, Karl, etc.) as well as national t.v. analysts. They all seem to agree that he has a bright future. I don't think he is "overrated" but we shall see. I also don't think he has been built up to counter Ron Artest's behavior---yeeeshh! He is genuinely a nice down to earth guy, where does this stuff come from? Annie.

 

[diggining]

I agree that he's inconsistent (at the level of stretches of games), but one thing I have always believed is that inconsistency itself isn't a bad thing that people seem to assume it is.

As far as I am concerned, there is no obvious reason a priori that inconsistency is bad. Player A scores 8 points, then 32 points, then 10 points, then 30. Player B scores 18, 22, 23, 17. Assume all else is equal. I don't see why player B's better.

One argument one could make is that scoring, say, 65 points vs say 55 is not very useful if your team's going to win with you scoring 55 anyway. But that doesn't apply to Kevin--the kings need him to score as much as possible. In fact, the opposite might hold true for the Kings' situation (him scoring 8 points in one game or 15 points in one game doesn't make much of a difference).

(I'm also not sure if he really is inconsistent compared to other NBA players.)

(In fact, for fantasy sports, inconsistency is a great thing if one could predict when that player will have a good day or not. Then we can use that player appropriate so that his fantasy average for your team is better than his overall playing average. But I digress...)

 

[Troy]

As an aside, this is how you can be "overrated" and still pretty damn good:

Top 10 off guards (mine):

1) Kobe
2) Wade
3) TMac (Battier makes him OG normally)
4) Iverson (back at OG next to Blake)
5) Allen
6) Johnson
7) Carter
8) Redd
9) Rip
10) Kevin/JRich (if he regains form)/Hughes (maybe not)/Gordon (take Kevin over him)

If you call a guy like Iggy an OG he's up there somewhere. Pierce is a SF at this point. Ricky Davis had a bad year. So did Manu. Roy is coming fast, but not there yet. Did I forget anybody?

In any case, so if somebody is saying he belongs in that Top 4, they are overrating him. In the next 4, maybe one day. Maybe. In the conversation for 9-12 or whatever? Absolutely.

Good post Brick, yeah those are the some of the best players in the world, Micheal Jordan was a SG as well. That is a very talented position, so if you can be said to be in the top 10 in the league out of the 30 teams in the NBA, I think you are pretty good. KMart for being in his 1st full season is doing great. Also he isn't just a shooter, but has added the slashing to the hoop and with his quickness, size and length at 6 7" I like his changes to break into the top 4-5 in the league behind Kobie, TMac, Wade. Those are huge expectations, but the guy is showing he can play. He isn't a player you should have as your sole scorer and certain #1 options, but he has scored well for how few shots he has taken, minus his current slump. He has also reached 20 PPG status in only his 3rd season and 1st season as a starter full time. I love this kid!!!! He is the only KMart in my book!

I see AI as a combo guard, being a great scorer so it's hard to call him a 2 guard with his size, but he can score just about at will so players like that break rules/boundaries due to their super human abilities.

 

[NikateeN]

Nobody is calling him god, nobody is amazed at the sight of him, hes not a big star in the NBA, i would hardly call him overated, thats just silly, hes simply a player that wasnt that great last season and has improved a lot.

 

[ZanesvilleFan]

Kevin Overrated? That might be the funniest thing I have read on kingsfan this year. And im pretty sure that it wasnt just Kevin not playing defense.

Thanks for the laugh

 

[Roman]

In my opinion, Kevin is overrated by a lot of people. Is he overrated in the league? I don't think so. I don't think the average casual NBA fan even knows his name (or if he does, couldn't pick him out of a lineup).

But, I find him to be a bit overrated by some Kings' fans. But, that's only my opinion.

I, for one, don't think he's ever a "cornerstone" to a franchise. I see him as a piece I'd rather keep than trade, but I am not abject to trading him to make us better. That's how I feel about him.

I definitely agree with the first poster in his reference to flopping. KMart and Bibby are probably the biggest floppers in the league. It must be trained by our "coach" (I use that term very loosely when defining Muss).

There's no question that Kevin has skills, but if I were to define him, I think he's a Peja with speed. He's great to have, but you don't build around him.