http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/13953726p-14788169c.html
Kings notes: Lack of minutes confuses Martin
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, December 8, 2005
Kevin Martin wants to be subbing in instead of sitting down.
The second-year Kings shooting guard said he's confused about his recent lack of playing time. He has played in just two of the past four games, totaling eight minutes.
Coach Rick Adelman addressed the situation Monday, saying he "wasn't down on Kevin" but was continuing to search for a reserve routine that worked.
"I know what he's saying, but I really don't understand," Martin said. "I was the leading scorer off the bench (in a 114-105 win over New Jersey on Nov. 23). He said he wasn't down on me, so I guess that's his explanation."
Martin - who scored a career-high 18 points against the Nets but had just five points in his next 35 minutes over the next two games - admits his inconsistent play hasn't helped his standing. Still, he's reluctant to return to the role he held as a rookie, when he played in just 45 games and was left off the playoff roster.
"I have a career night, and a couple games later I find myself over where I was last year," Martin said. "I was inconsistent at times. (But) I thought I was making progress. Time will tell."
Martin's disappointment comes after a training camp and preseason in which, unofficially, he was the consensus up-and-comer. Adelman lauded Martin for his offseason work ethic, with the coaching staff eager to see a new-and-improved version of the 2004 first-round draft pick.
Martin shot 46.8 percent in the preseason, averaging 9.1 points. He's shooting 36.6 percent in the regular season.
Road-weary - The question was posed to Adelman whether the upcoming four-game road trip that starts Dec. 13 was a good chance for a struggling team to escape recent scrutiny in Sacramento, and maybe even bond a bit.
Apparently not.
"Not when you've got to play Minnesota, Detroit and San Antonio," he said. "I don't think that's a bonding experience I want, unless you want to go through depression and adversity. I think we can bond at home just as well as we can on the road."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
Kings notes: Lack of minutes confuses Martin
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, December 8, 2005
Kevin Martin wants to be subbing in instead of sitting down.
The second-year Kings shooting guard said he's confused about his recent lack of playing time. He has played in just two of the past four games, totaling eight minutes.
Coach Rick Adelman addressed the situation Monday, saying he "wasn't down on Kevin" but was continuing to search for a reserve routine that worked.
"I know what he's saying, but I really don't understand," Martin said. "I was the leading scorer off the bench (in a 114-105 win over New Jersey on Nov. 23). He said he wasn't down on me, so I guess that's his explanation."
Martin - who scored a career-high 18 points against the Nets but had just five points in his next 35 minutes over the next two games - admits his inconsistent play hasn't helped his standing. Still, he's reluctant to return to the role he held as a rookie, when he played in just 45 games and was left off the playoff roster.
"I have a career night, and a couple games later I find myself over where I was last year," Martin said. "I was inconsistent at times. (But) I thought I was making progress. Time will tell."
Martin's disappointment comes after a training camp and preseason in which, unofficially, he was the consensus up-and-comer. Adelman lauded Martin for his offseason work ethic, with the coaching staff eager to see a new-and-improved version of the 2004 first-round draft pick.
Martin shot 46.8 percent in the preseason, averaging 9.1 points. He's shooting 36.6 percent in the regular season.
Road-weary - The question was posed to Adelman whether the upcoming four-game road trip that starts Dec. 13 was a good chance for a struggling team to escape recent scrutiny in Sacramento, and maybe even bond a bit.
Apparently not.
"Not when you've got to play Minnesota, Detroit and San Antonio," he said. "I don't think that's a bonding experience I want, unless you want to go through depression and adversity. I think we can bond at home just as well as we can on the road."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
