Kings notes: Lack of minutes confuses Martin

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
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.
 
And Amick gets it...

If Kevin is confused, what about Corliss and Brian, who certainly have to be wondering at some point why they aren't being considered, at least for a few minutes...
 
im confused about why he even gets a look in the first place. the kid is not an NBA ready player, nor will he ever be. How Petrie ever thought he could fill the void of Mo Evens completely baffles me. Swallow your pride and cut your losses Geoff.
 
VF21 said:
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."

I like that. :D


As for Kevin -- I hinted at this in the various grades threads, but the inconsistency was just killing him, and with Garcia coming on and getting an opportunity to show a little something with Peja out, you could see this end result. Given the weakness of our bench, Kevin is almost sure to have more opportunities this season to get back into the mix, but he really can't afford to squander them by having any more of those ugly off nights. I dunno, think its all above the shoulders with the kid. He has talent, but the focus and intensity is just all over the place and can't be confidence-inspiring to the coaching staff.
 
Kevin needs to learn to play like a scrappy player. Dive for loose balls and battle for rebounds. That is the only way to make up for his inconsistency and earn minutes on this team.
 
yanon said:
Kevin needs to learn to play like a scrappy player. Dive for loose balls and battle for rebounds. That is the only way to make up for his inconsistency and earn minutes on this team.

That's actually part of the inconsistency though -- there are games, or more often stretches of a game, where he'll suddenly click into hustle mode, start crashing the defensive glass and hustling all over the court. And then...it just fades away and he ends up just standing there looking unsure what he wants to do. I don't know -- very frustrating. At no point have I been a Kevin jocker and thinking he was going to be a star or anything, but you can see the potential there in flashes for the kid to be a contributor...but its like he doesn't know who he is or what he wants to do out there. Last guy I remember looking like that at times was Hedo, but Hedo was much bigger + stronger, more consistent on defense, and could always shoot even if he ran out of ideas what else to do with the ball. With Kevin I'm never sure what we're going to get or what he's going to do with the ball on any particular trip. Adn if that's frustrating to me as a fan, I can only imagine the grey hairs it inspires in a coaching staff.

Kid needs to figure out something he's going to do everytime he steps on the floor, and just do it. Cisco has potential but isn't exactly tearing it up. Kevin wasn't benched because Cisco thrust him oout of the way. He kind of benched himself by being unreliable. Has to get past that, and soon.
 
Bricklayer said:
I like that. :D


As for Kevin -- I hinted at this in the various grades threads, but the inconsistency was just killing him, and with Garcia coming on and getting an opportunity to show a little something with Peja out, you could see this end result. Given the weakness of our bench, Kevin is almost sure to have more opportunities this season to get back into the mix, but he really can't afford to squander them by having any more of those ugly off nights. I dunno, think its all above the shoulders with the kid. He has talent, but the focus and intensity is just all over the place and can't be confidence-inspiring to the coaching staff.

Hitting the proverbial nail on the head (no pun intended).
 
He's had his shots. More than he's deserved. The only guy he should complain to is himself. He's played more minutes than even KT (well, until the last few games anyway). It's time for guys like Garcia and Skinner to get their chance.
 
He also needs a new hairstyle. I mean, when has a new hairstyle NOT been good for a player with the possible exception of Chris Anderson?
 
Last edited:
Kevin looks like a lost kid in the mall sometimes, he needs that daddy figure here in order to be successful, and we traded him away.
 
When a team does not know when they will be played next than why perform? Martin performed than two games later was a DNP CD. Adleman has to stop jerking the bench players around and get a consistant lineup going.
 
Gary said:
When a team does not know when they will be played next than why perform? Martin performed than two games later was a DNP CD. Adleman has to stop jerking the bench players around and get a consistant lineup going.
did you happen to see martin's numbers after he careered those next two games? if i remember correctly it was a bunch of zero's. he earned that dnp. how bout the players give him some consistency so he can get a consistent line up.
 
Gary said:
When a team does not know when they will be played next than why perform? Martin performed than two games later was a DNP CD. Adleman has to stop jerking the bench players around and get a consistant lineup going.

Rick played Kevin every single game up until the benching, gave him a LOT of chances after bad games, and bad games in our losses.

Really neither Kevin, Thomas, nor Hart can complain about their inconsistent use off the bench. Nor now can Garcia in his current role. The fluxuation has been between Rick trying to go deep and get players 9, 10 & 11 (currently Kevin, Brian and Corliss) involved, or staying short and just getting Hart, Thomas, and the swingman of the moment into the game. Those deeper guys can complain. The shallower guys getting minutes every night just aren't getting it done.

This article might sound familiar to kings fans complaining about substitution patterns: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051206/SPORTS03/512060369/1051 . Only difference is that that team is 13-2 or whatever.
 
It is funny that I watched Martin play well in summer league for the past two years but come regular season he's awful. I think a stint in the D-league might do him well.
 
Zyphen said:
He's had his shots. More than he's deserved. The only guy he should complain to is himself. He's played more minutes than even KT (well, until the last few games anyway). It's time for guys like Garcia and Skinner to get their chance.

Oh please...

He didn't seek Amick out to make those comments. Amick, trying to find something not already being covered by Marty Mac, Mark Kreidler, or Ailene Voisin, sought Kevin out and asked the questions. Kevin was honest in his responses.

Yes, he's been erractic and I find myself pretty much in agreement with Bricklayer's comments.

-----------------------------------------------

Now, not directed at anyone in particular:

Kevin Martin is a kid who had enough talent to make it to the NBA, which is pretty much more than I can say about any of those who are taking cheap shots at him.

Yeah, he's erratic. I'm reasonably sure quite a bit of it is second-guessing himself. But even with his lack of consistency, he's still showing sparks of something that could end up being very valuable to the Kings at some point down the line.

I am just a little heartsick about the way some people are acting about one of our own. Which of you wouldn't be struggling in the same situation? Anyone? ANY ONE?

...

Yeah, I thought not.
 
VF21 said:
Oh please...

He didn't seek Amick out to make those comments. Amick, trying to find something not already being covered by Marty Mac, Mark Kreidler, or Ailene Voisin, sought Kevin out and asked the questions. Kevin was honest in his responses.

Yes, he's been erractic and I find myself pretty much in agreement with Bricklayer's comments.

-----------------------------------------------

Now, not directed at anyone in particular:

Kevin Martin is a kid who had enough talent to make it to the NBA, which is pretty much more than I can say about any of those who are taking cheap shots at him.

Yeah, he's erratic. I'm reasonably sure quite a bit of it is second-guessing himself. But even with his lack of consistency, he's still showing sparks of something that could end up being very valuable to the Kings at some point down the line.

I am just a little heartsick about the way some people are acting about one of our own. Which of you wouldn't be struggling in the same situation? Anyone? ANY ONE?

...

Yeah, I thought not.

You've said harsher words about Peja, as have I. Do I need to quote them to you? Is he disowned already?

Acting towards one of our own? Much worse has been directed at the likes of Miller, Bibby, Reef, Peja, and KT and you go out of the way to defend this kid and make a blanket statement about treating "one of ours". You his aunt or something?

If he's a late bloomer, so be it. Whether he'll ever be good years from now is not a question I'm concerned with currently. He's not helping us now. Get the kid some extra practices and off the court till he's ready. We don't have the luxury to babysit in our current situation.
 
VF21 said:
Oh please...

He didn't seek Amick out to make those comments. Amick, trying to find something not already being covered by Marty Mac, Mark Kreidler, or Ailene Voisin, sought Kevin out and asked the questions. Kevin was honest in his responses.

Yes, he's been erractic and I find myself pretty much in agreement with Bricklayer's comments.

-----------------------------------------------

Now, not directed at anyone in particular:

Kevin Martin is a kid who had enough talent to make it to the NBA, which is pretty much more than I can say about any of those who are taking cheap shots at him.

Yeah, he's erratic. I'm reasonably sure quite a bit of it is second-guessing himself. But even with his lack of consistency, he's still showing sparks of something that could end up being very valuable to the Kings at some point down the line.

I am just a little heartsick about the way some people are acting about one of our own. Which of you wouldn't be struggling in the same situation? Anyone? ANY ONE?

...

Yeah, I thought not.

Yeah I agree. I think he could be a little more consistent if he was starting though. IMO he's one of those guys who'd play better in more minutes, so if something happens with peja and we upgrade another position we could possibly move bonzi to the 3 in the starting line up and insert Kevin Martin. I think he certainly has a lot of potential and he just needs room to grow. He's not going to be a star, but he could be a pretty good player in the league. One thing I noticed is he can rebound pretty well just because he jumps so high. One problem the kings have is our lack of athleticism- if we did this we'd fix that.

Anyways, it's unlikely that we do that since petrie seems to be in love with Peja the pillow but I think if he did start that he could become more consistent and grow.
 
You've said harsher words about Peja, as have I. Do I need to quote them to you? Is he disowned already?

Acting towards one of our own? Much worse has been directed at the likes of Miller, Bibby, Reef, Peja, and KT and you go out of the way to defend this kid and make a blanket statement about treating "one of ours". You his aunt or something?

If he's a late bloomer, so be it. Whether he'll ever be good years from now is not a question I'm concerned with currently. He's not helping us now. Get the kid some extra practices and off the court till he's ready. We don't have the luxury to babysit in our current situation.




that is the truth right there.
 
Bricklayer said:
Rick played Kevin every single game up until the benching, gave him a LOT of chances after bad games, and bad games in our losses.

Really neither Kevin, Thomas, nor Hart can complain about their inconsistent use off the bench. Nor now can Garcia in his current role. The fluxuation has been between Rick trying to go deep and get players 9, 10 & 11 (currently Kevin, Brian and Corliss) involved, or staying short and just getting Hart, Thomas, and the swingman of the moment into the game. Those deeper guys can complain. The shallower guys getting minutes every night just aren't getting it done.

This article might sound familiar to kings fans complaining about substitution patterns: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051206/SPORTS03/512060369/1051 . Only difference is that that team is 13-2 or whatever.

Yah, but would you agree that Adleman has been subpar this entire season when it comes to playing the right players, or sub pattern?
 
Zyphen said:
You've said harsher words about Peja, as have I. Do I need to quote them to you? Is he disowned already?

Acting towards one of our own? Much worse has been directed at the likes of Miller, Bibby, Reef, Peja, and KT and you go out of the way to defend this kid and make a blanket statement about treating "one of ours". You his aunt or something?

If he's a late bloomer, so be it. Whether he'll ever be good years from now is not a question I'm concerned with currently. He's not helping us now. Get the kid some extra practices and off the court till he's ready. We don't have the luxury to babysit in our current situation.

You cannot possibly be trying to compare Peja, Miller, Bibby, Reef and KT - all SEASONED veterans - with Kevin, can you? And if you are, WHY?

Kevin is a second year player who is, for all intents and purposes, a rookie if you consider how very little time he had on the court last year. Some people seem to feel that because some of us like him, it's their sworn duty to dislike him. Why? He's a member of the team. Why shouldn't we ALL be hoping that he does well and finds a way to contribute?

So how exactly is Kevin doing so much worse than the seasoned vets? This is just ludicrous. He may not be helping us, but you must have not seen many games lately or you wouldn't be pointing the finger at him so much. You might want to gesture a little more in the direction of the guys who are supposedly the CORE of this team. If they were doing their jobs, we wouldn't be arguing about whether or not a young kid with a lot of heart and potential is doing his.
 
In case you havnt noticed VF21, our bench is killing us! K Mart is the heart of the bench problem. He is so freakin soft. A softy who cant shoot, by the way.

If the Kings had any kind of a bench, we would be on the good side of .500, no doubt in my mind.
 
Yeah, you're entirely right, gilly420. How could I have been so blind? It can't be the starters. It has to be all Kevin Martin's problem.

Thank you for showing me the light. If we get rid of him, we're most likely not only guaranteed to get better, we should end up in the WCF.

I've been so blind...
 
Back
Top