http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/106867.html
Kings notes: Not having a ball: Martin resents return of leather
He has been unable to replicate the shooting success he had at the beginning of the season.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PST Friday, January 12, 2007
The return of the old leather ball has been something akin to the return of an old friend, as far as most NBA players are concerned.
The reunion has been embraced, enjoyed and cherished -- unless you're Kevin Martin.
The Kings shooting guard says he wishes the league stayed with the synthetic ball. After four games using the leather ball, Martin has had more shooting difficulties than he experienced in the season's first two months.
"I think I started to aim (the leather ball) a little bit (against the Lakers)," Martin said. "I've got to get back to just shooting it and letting it go. I'm just thinking about it right when I get it."
Although Martin has hit 23 of 44 shots since the leather ball returned Jan. 1, he has made just 3 of 13 three-point attempts. The free-throw line, as Kings fans are well aware, has been his toughest spot. Martin has gone 29 for 37 in January. He also missed crucial fourth-quarter attempts against the Lakers and Portland that could have secured victories. By comparison, Martin missed nine free throws in November and eight in December.
Martin admits his shooting form has regressed a bit, especially from beyond the arc. The ball, he said, bears some of the blame.
"I liked (the synthetic ball) from Day One, even in summer league when my percentages weren't that good," Martin said.
Ironically, the most outspoken Kings player in favor of bringing back the cowhide continues to shoot it well. Mike Bibby, who was shooting at career-low levels until seven games ago, has hit 38 of 74 shots in 2007. That includes 13 of 26 three-pointers while averaging 27.8 points.
Jaw-dropper -- There is no lasting impact beyond a simple in-game routine.
When Shareef Abdur-Rahim checks into games, the Kings forward gets his mouthpiece from trainer Pete Youngman. He then places it back in its plastic case when he comes out. He has worn the piece since his jaw was broken by Portland's Zach Randolph in December 2005. The injury put Abdur-Rahim out for 10 games.
"Maybe if I had (the mouthpiece before), my jaw wouldn't have got broken," Abdur-Rahim said.
The two players were well acquainted, having played together in Portland, where Abdur-Rahim was the veteran big man and Randolph was becoming the franchise player. Randolph eventually apologized in a conversation heavy on irony.
"The next time when we saw each other, he apologized," Abdur-Rahim said. "He had his mouth wired up, too. A couple weeks after he caught me, someone caught him and messed his teeth up."
A shining light -- The hard times continue for Portland, which beat the Kings on Saturday for only its second win in 11 games.
But as Kings coach Eric Musselman continues to tell his team, Portland has a rising star in rookie guard Brandon Roy. Ron Artest learned of the youngster's abilities the hard way, allowing Roy to make his first six shots Saturday en route to a career-high 23 points. Roy also hit a jumper to force overtime despite John Salmons' defense.
Roy missed 20 games this season with an Achilles' injury, but has averaged 15.2 points over the past 10 games.
"Roy's a confident guy," Musselman said. "He does a good job mixing up his perimeter shots, his drive. They're starting to run more things for him."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
Kings notes: Not having a ball: Martin resents return of leather
He has been unable to replicate the shooting success he had at the beginning of the season.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PST Friday, January 12, 2007
The return of the old leather ball has been something akin to the return of an old friend, as far as most NBA players are concerned.
The reunion has been embraced, enjoyed and cherished -- unless you're Kevin Martin.
The Kings shooting guard says he wishes the league stayed with the synthetic ball. After four games using the leather ball, Martin has had more shooting difficulties than he experienced in the season's first two months.
"I think I started to aim (the leather ball) a little bit (against the Lakers)," Martin said. "I've got to get back to just shooting it and letting it go. I'm just thinking about it right when I get it."
Although Martin has hit 23 of 44 shots since the leather ball returned Jan. 1, he has made just 3 of 13 three-point attempts. The free-throw line, as Kings fans are well aware, has been his toughest spot. Martin has gone 29 for 37 in January. He also missed crucial fourth-quarter attempts against the Lakers and Portland that could have secured victories. By comparison, Martin missed nine free throws in November and eight in December.
Martin admits his shooting form has regressed a bit, especially from beyond the arc. The ball, he said, bears some of the blame.
"I liked (the synthetic ball) from Day One, even in summer league when my percentages weren't that good," Martin said.
Ironically, the most outspoken Kings player in favor of bringing back the cowhide continues to shoot it well. Mike Bibby, who was shooting at career-low levels until seven games ago, has hit 38 of 74 shots in 2007. That includes 13 of 26 three-pointers while averaging 27.8 points.
Jaw-dropper -- There is no lasting impact beyond a simple in-game routine.
When Shareef Abdur-Rahim checks into games, the Kings forward gets his mouthpiece from trainer Pete Youngman. He then places it back in its plastic case when he comes out. He has worn the piece since his jaw was broken by Portland's Zach Randolph in December 2005. The injury put Abdur-Rahim out for 10 games.
"Maybe if I had (the mouthpiece before), my jaw wouldn't have got broken," Abdur-Rahim said.
The two players were well acquainted, having played together in Portland, where Abdur-Rahim was the veteran big man and Randolph was becoming the franchise player. Randolph eventually apologized in a conversation heavy on irony.
"The next time when we saw each other, he apologized," Abdur-Rahim said. "He had his mouth wired up, too. A couple weeks after he caught me, someone caught him and messed his teeth up."
A shining light -- The hard times continue for Portland, which beat the Kings on Saturday for only its second win in 11 games.
But as Kings coach Eric Musselman continues to tell his team, Portland has a rising star in rookie guard Brandon Roy. Ron Artest learned of the youngster's abilities the hard way, allowing Roy to make his first six shots Saturday en route to a career-high 23 points. Roy also hit a jumper to force overtime despite John Salmons' defense.
Roy missed 20 games this season with an Achilles' injury, but has averaged 15.2 points over the past 10 games.
"Roy's a confident guy," Musselman said. "He does a good job mixing up his perimeter shots, his drive. They're starting to run more things for him."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
.. oh well delete it 
.
