Kevin Martin will likely play in the Kings-Sixers game

Martin is back

  • Good, enough with this rookie nonsense! Let the experienced guy to lead us!

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I'm excited to see Evans and Martin together!

    Votes: 84 79.2%
  • Hope he's gonna help to win some, but not at expense of our youngsters!

    Votes: 17 16.0%
  • Trade him!

    Votes: 5 4.7%

  • Total voters
    106

frodoborg

G-League
That's it. Your biggest star is due to be back tomorrow. How do you feel about it? I know it's a well discussed subject, but now it's reality.
 
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I don't expect a lot in his first game, but I'm excited to see if this can work well.

Sorry, but Tyreke is the star of this team. There's no turning back on that. I think Martin knows that and will be okay with it.
 
I'm interested to see Evans + Martin part 2. There should be differences this time around, Evans is clearly the leader and the star of this team now. Hopefully he continues with that mindset with Martin returning. I don't think Martin will disrupt anything on purpose because he's never really been that true leader/motivational type. Evans is our man, and let's hope he sees Martin as his sidekick instead of being Martin's sidekick
 
But we were 1-4...

In Martin's defense, we also had Desmond Mason and Sean May in the starting lineup...

Plus, 3 of the 4 losses were on the road, and we didn't win with or without Kevin in our first 11 road games, I believe. Let's just see how it goes.
 
I can't wait to see Kevin Martin tear **** up.

One of the leagues most efficient scorers finally has a team that gives a damn.

I'm predicting Martin or Evans goes for 40 sometime on this trip.
 
But we were 1-4...
Different team at that point. Different starting lineup. Tyreke's first 5 games in the league. Omri, Brock, and Donte weren't doing anything at that point. You can't make a objective evaluation on how Kevin fits with these guys based on 5 games. All you have to go on is how Kevin has fit in with other Kings teams in the past, and Kevins history as a player. But no one knows how he will fit with this current group.
 
The plan, I heard Spencer say on the radio this morning, is to use the PF in an effort to get Martin open. Evans - well, Evans doesn't need anyone to get him open (that's not what Spencer said about Evans, just what I said.)

So the offense should most often look something like:

- Evans bringing up the ball,
- JT settling in at the left elbow,
- Spencer (hopefully) ready to get down on the block,
- Casspi floating on the perimeter to the right side of the basket,
- Martin spotting up, or getting ready to cut, from the left side behind a JT screen.

If Martin is still in good shape, as has been implied, he should be able to blow by a hesitant defender, pass back to Evans, or drive and kick to anyone who is open as a result of the drive (I hope he works on his passing ability.)

With Evans initiating, he can still run the show and determine who gets points. With this lineup playing to perfection the other team will either get it's face melted off from the perimeter, or get beat up on the drive by Evans taking advantage of Martin drawing the opposing PF in a double team. If Evans can't go left, then switch JT and Martin to the right side of the basket. The glaring flaw is at Center. Hawes needs to keep the opposing C occupied so that the paint doesn't get packed.

This is the beginning of a very intriguing, and very exciting, stage of the rebuild.
 
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Look forward to seeing it, hope he proves me wrong. I will abstain from voting.
 
Martin's injury was the best thing that could have happened to the Kings. Who knows what kind of playing time Evans would be getting today if Martin was healthy. Hopefully Martin can come back and contribute.
 
First game back, he's probably may not do well.

But I'm looking forward to the Evans/Martin combo.

Actually if you go back and look at previous times he's returned from injuries, he's had very good games. I think he's scored 26 or more points in every return to action. So don't be surprised if he puts up some big numbers. I'm more interested in how he affects the overall play of the team and the results.
 
Actually if you go back and look at previous times he's returned from injuries, he's had very good games. I think he's scored 26 or more points in every return to action. So don't be surprised if he puts up some big numbers. I'm more interested in how he affects the overall play of the team and the results.

He was the #1 option every time he came back. If he scores 26 this game I'm afraid it will mean he is taking opportunities away from Tyreke. Unless he becomes Rip Hamilton type of player...
 
He was the #1 option every time he came back. If he scores 26 this game I'm afraid it will mean he is taking opportunities away from Tyreke. Unless he becomes Rip Hamilton type of player...

Remember... Reke is the primary ball handler... he doesn't get opportunities taken away, he only GIVES them away. Tyreke will take whatever opportunity he thinks he can score. Think of this... instead of passing to Noc on the perimeter for 6 threes in one game... were passing to Martin. I like that better.
 
He was the #1 option every time he came back. If he scores 26 this game I'm afraid it will mean he is taking opportunities away from Tyreke. Unless he becomes Rip Hamilton type of player...
The concept of "Taking away opportunities" is a funny thing... I felt strongly about not playing vets last season to develop the youth, but this season, with the Kings actually winning some games, I would rather see Westphal find the right combination of players in a system that wins games. Tyreke is too good not to get a lot of touches. Same with Martin. But the idea that Martin and Tyreke cannot or should not coexist is nuts; if the Kings goal is to win games, which it is, they need to play team ball and use Martin and Tyreke to give opposing coaches migrane headaches. If the goal is not to win, but to showcase Tyreke, well, who's goal is not to win?
 
He was the #1 option every time he came back. If he scores 26 this game I'm afraid it will mean he is taking opportunities away from Tyreke. Unless he becomes Rip Hamilton type of player...

Martin may have been the #1 option for a few games, but look who else we had on the floor. Tyreke started the season looking confused and without confidence.

I hate to say it, but with Martin out, it gave Tyreke the pressure to wake up and get going and his success then gave him the confidence he has today.

Now, with both of them together, it may take awhile to sort out, but with their unselfish personalities and desire to win as a team, this can only be good.

We're not talking about pairing Iverson and Carmelo here.
 
We also get to see how the defense is
That has always been a major concern about Martin... however, he does draw a lot of fouls which helps make up for lacking defense as opposing starters end up sitting the bench most of the game... one thing I know, if Martin isn't giving 100%, Westphal will reduce his minutes; I have no doubt about that.
 
I just looked up Kevin's stat page at EPSN and realize that he's going to be 27 years old on February 1st. Jeez... the old man on the court!! :D

I keep thinking he's still 24 or 25.
 
That has always been a major concern about Martin... however, he does draw a lot of fouls which helps make up for lacking defense as opposing starters end up sitting the bench most of the game... one thing I know, if Martin isn't giving 100%, Westphal will reduce his minutes; I have no doubt about that.

maybe he can focus more energy on defense now instead of offense since he may be playing 2nd or 3rd banana
 
That has always been a major concern about Martin... however, he does draw a lot of fouls which helps make up for lacking defense as opposing starters end up sitting the bench most of the game... one thing I know, if Martin isn't giving 100%, Westphal will reduce his minutes; I have no doubt about that.

Also, steals. He had 3 steals against OKC and 4 against Memphis this season. He also will take a charge.
 
Martin may have been the #1 option for a few games, but look who else we had on the floor. Tyreke started the season looking confused and without confidence.

I hate to say it, but with Martin out, it gave Tyreke the pressure to wake up and get going and his success then gave him the confidence he has today.

Now, with both of them together, it may take awhile to sort out, but with their unselfish personalities and desire to win as a team, this can only be good.

We're not talking about pairing Iverson and Carmelo here.
Exactly.
 
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