Kevin Martin is Overrated.

[VF21]

I don't think this thread is rated highly by anyone. So how could it be overrated?

I think he's referring to the current two star ranking...

 

[JJ_Evans]

Rankings are overrated.

 

[Superman]

He is who he is, and you're right, you don't have to be a jerk to be successful. Martin is already a success.

The question is do you build around him? I say no.

Since we're NOT building around him, I don't think there's any reason for him to consider himself THE MAN and want the ball anymore than he's already getting it.

I think he's overachieving a bit this season. He can shoot when open, but he's not a Rip Hamilton type shooter who will consistently hit jumpers with a hand in his face, 82 games a year. He's a poor man's Rip Hamilton. His release is too awkward, too slow. And he's too small to continue to get to the free throw line without getting injured.

I like his athleticism and his team-first attitude, but I disagree with the idea that he's an untouchable player. Would I like to see him as a King for several years? Sure, but not at the expense of getting some really serviceable players that could put us back on the map. If we make the right moves this offseason, our rebuild could be a two year process, instead of a five year process. And if it takes moving Kevin Martin to do that, I'm open to it.

 

[VF21]

Since we're NOT building around him, I don't think there's any reason for him to consider himself THE MAN and want the ball anymore than he's already getting it.

I think he's overachieving a bit this season. He can shoot when open, but he's not a Rip Hamilton type shooter who will consistently hit jumpers with a hand in his face, 82 games a year. He's a poor man's Rip Hamilton. His release is too awkward, too slow. And he's too small to continue to get to the free throw line without getting injured.

I like his athleticism and his team-first attitude, but I disagree with the idea that he's an untouchable player. Would I like to see him as a King for several years? Sure, but not at the expense of getting some really serviceable players that could put us back on the map. If we make the right moves this offseason, our rebuild could be a two year process, instead of a five year process. And if it takes moving Kevin Martin to do that, I'm open to it.

I think you're underestimating Kevin's talents and potential. And the whole issue of his shot/release has been blown out of all proportion. Reggie Miller has said more than once that Martin's shot reminds him a lot of his own. And for what it's worth, I seem to recall Miller doing okay.

The only real thing Martin does differently is noticeable at the free throw line before he brings his arm up to shoot. His actual shot and follow-through are fine. And they get results, along with being a little harder for most defenders to block.

Kevin hasn't hit his peak yet. He's continuing to work and improve, he's getting much better at creating his own shots and I really think it would take a MAJOR trade offer for Petrie to move him. And I'm praying that's the case. And it's not just because I like the kid.

 

[Löwenherz]

I like Martin a lot, but I really think the best case senario is him playing second banana to a stud down low.

 

[VF21]

I don't know what the best scenario for him will be. All I know is that I'd rather see him reach his full potential IN a Kings uniform and not playing against us.

 

[PurpleHaze]

I think you're underestimating Kevin's talents and potential.


Kevin hasn't hit his peak yet. He's continuing to work and improve, he's getting much better at creating his own shots and I really think it would take a MAJOR trade offer for Petrie to move him. And I'm praying that's the case. And it's not just because I like the kid.

Agreed totally. At just turned 24 Kevin Martin is nowhere near his professional peak. I think he would be the absolute last King on the trading block for Petrie although with this team probably no player should be off limits if an incredible offer was put on the table by someone. As far as being referred to as a "poor mans Rip Hamilton" that's off-base IMO after Martin's 06-07 season with much better things surely down the line. No way I would trade him straight up for Hamilton if it was on the table who is close to 30 years of age with similar stats and similar size.

 

[Superman]

I think you're underestimating Kevin's talents and potential. And the whole issue of his shot/release has been blown out of all proportion. Reggie Miller has said more than once that Martin's shot reminds him a lot of his own. And for what it's worth, I seem to recall Miller doing okay.

The only real thing Martin does differently is noticeable at the free throw line before he brings his arm up to shoot. His actual shot and follow-through are fine. And they get results, along with being a little harder for most defenders to block.

I'm not saying he needs to try to change the way he shoots; the results are just fine. I'm saying that his shot/release will keep him from being a Rip Hamilton-like player, because it's slow and awkward. Unless he can find a way to elevate over defenders and consistently hit mid-range jumpers with the defense in his chest, he won't be a Rip Hamilton-like player.

Kevin hasn't hit his peak yet. He's continuing to work and improve, he's getting much better at creating his own shots and I really think it would take a MAJOR trade offer for Petrie to move him. And I'm praying that's the case. And it's not just because I like the kid.

Agreed totally. At just turned 24 Kevin Martin is nowhere near his professional peak. I think he would be the absolute last King on the trading block for Petrie although with this team probably no player should be off limits if an incredible offer was put on the table by someone. As far as being referred to as a "poor mans Rip Hamilton" that's off-base IMO after Martin's 06-07 season with much better things surely down the line. No way I would trade him straight up for Hamilton if it was on the table who is close to 30 years of age with similar stats and similar size.

I've liked him since before he stepped on the court in an NBA game. Saw some clips of him in a couple of college games, saw his summer-league games, and thought he could be a pretty good player.

I'm not saying that I'm ready to trade him; I'm not saying that I'd trade him straight up for Rip Hamilton (I would listen, though). He would be the absolute last King on the trading block, but if a deal comes available that makes us a better team - immediately, without mortgaging against the future - I'd hope that upper management doesn't view him as untouchable. He's not a franchise player with franchise talent.

And the reference to him being a poor man's Rip was in response to him being favorably compared to Rip. I don't think he'll be the type of player Rip is; he might be a better player when all is said and done, though I doubt it, but my point is that he's not a Rip Hamilton-like player.

His 20 points a game are impressive, his shooting percentages are even more impressive, and I like him as a player. But I don't think he's the type of player who should consider himself THE MAN, and I don't think he should be considered untouchable.

 

[Gary]

I like Martin a lot, but I really think the best case senario is him playing second banana to a stud down low.

I think so too.. Everyone knows I was hyping Kevin for a long time now, but he is not the main piece to a title run. He is our Manu, Howard, or Marion. A guy that on his own wouldn't be able to carry a team, but with a couple other players this team will be a 60 win team again.

The issue with the team is that we have too many support characters. Bibby for one, Miller is the other. Artest just isn't the right fit for this team. Artest wants to be the main guy, but just doesn't have the skills imo, and the attitude (likability to have others follow his lead).

In a perfect world Bibby would opt out, and Artest banned by the league. That would free up about 15 million under the cap. Than we win the lottery, and get Oden.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

Kevin is a great 2nd option for any team to have. Sort of like Peja was to C-Webb. Kevin will never be the 'leader' type of player, and he's never professed himself to be that yet, and doubt that he will. The one thing that Kevin has done is create more shots for himself, and in the process, get to the line a hell of alot, which is awesome. Very coachable.

 

[Widowmaker2k]

Okay...I've already commented on this topic, but based on some of the responses, I'd like to comment again. Kevin Martin is a very good player, who isn't paid very much and has a great attitude. Other teams look at Martin and say, "Gee, I really wish we had a player like that." Martin probably won't end up being a superstar, but he is already a very good scorer, with the hallmarks of becoming a great scorer. (I said great scorer, not great player.) I think he has the potential to become the starting SG on a championship caliber team. What I like about Martin is that when his shots aren't falling, he's finding ways to get his points. Call it flopping, call it attacking the basket, or just call it being aggressive, all I care about is that he's putting points up in our column. (I admit he has his bad games, and some of them are really bad, but he's still relatively young, and I think consistency will come after a few more seasons.) In my opinion, if we ever plan on building this team back up to championship caliber, we're going to need guys like Kevin, even though he won't be our next Chris Webber. A winning team absolutely needs superstars, but it needs role-players too. Ask KG.

Kevin Martin of Today + Consistency and Defense = Starting SG For Years to Come.

 

[Entity]

I don't like the Peja comparisons. Maybe its just because they both played for the Kings or maybe its the stats. As far as their games go Kevin has more to offer than just set shots and 3pt fgs. Kevin still has much to learn and hasn't reached his full potential just yet this was just his first year as a starter. It would have been nice to have him with the Bibby, Webber, Peja, Vlade team with doug backing up the 1 and the 2. Any way dreams aside we have to have a force down low to give Kevin a chance at reaching his full potential.