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Martin nears first NBA game
By SAM BLACKBURN, sblackburn@nncogannett.com
Zanesville Times Recorder Sports Writer
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Kevin Martin's big day is two days away.
While he's been starting throughout the preseason with the NBA's Sacramento Kings, the first-round pick from Western Carolina and former All-Ohioan at Zanesville High School will play in his first official game Tuesday night in Dallas.
It will start a career he hopes spans several years. Martin is looking forward to getting on the floor, but isn't nervous, he said.
"I don't have any concerns," Martin said. "I don't know why. I'm just in a good situation out here. I thought I was going to have to go through a learning process and have to sit and watch most of the time, but I feel like I am a contributor right now."
On a team that features All-Star caliber players like Peja Stojakovich, Chris Webber and Mike Bibby, Martin is a solid piece to the Kings' puzzle.
Starting for injured Doug Christie, Martin averages 7 points per game as a two-guard in the preseason. He has guarded the likes of Tracy McGrady (twice) and Kobe Bryant, both first-team All-NBA players playing in the Western Conference.
He saw McGrady twice in back-to-back games during a cross-country trip to China, when the Kings played the Rockets twice in Beijing and Shanghai, respectively.
"They all call me young fella," Martin said. "When we played the Lakers, I took a charge on Kobe and when we were coming back down the court, he was like, 'you won't get the call in the regular season, young fella.'
"But really, they were both pretty cool out there," he added. "They didn't really say anything to me. They are both crafty. Kobe is a lot stronger. McGrady's legs are like mine."
Martin felt he held his own against two of the league's top scorers, at least defensively. But he admits that he has been reluctant to shoot because of the veterans around him.
That has struck the ire of Kings head coach Rick Adelman, who has reminded Martin that he was drafted for his ability to score and make plays offensively.
"In practice the other day, (Adelman) was like, 'what am I going to have to do to get you to shoot the ball, fine you?,'" Martin said. "Even (Webber) was like, 'don't worry about shooting the ball. You were the leading scorer in the country last year. That's why we brought you here.' But at the same time, these guys are veterans, and they have been playing together for a long time. I don't want to do anything to mess up the chemistry those guys have."
Martin will play behind veteran Christie at the two-guard throughout the season, providing the defensive specialist recovers from off-season surgery.
Still, Martin knows he is expected to be more than just a spot player on a team that could be searching for offense if injuries to star players strike again.
"I think I'm just getting the feel right now," Martin said. "It's an adjustment. I know there are more shots I should be taking. I just have to brainwash myself and convince myself that it's all right."
Originally published Sunday, October 31, 2004
Martin nears first NBA game
By SAM BLACKBURN, sblackburn@nncogannett.com
Zanesville Times Recorder Sports Writer
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Kevin Martin's big day is two days away.
While he's been starting throughout the preseason with the NBA's Sacramento Kings, the first-round pick from Western Carolina and former All-Ohioan at Zanesville High School will play in his first official game Tuesday night in Dallas.
It will start a career he hopes spans several years. Martin is looking forward to getting on the floor, but isn't nervous, he said.
"I don't have any concerns," Martin said. "I don't know why. I'm just in a good situation out here. I thought I was going to have to go through a learning process and have to sit and watch most of the time, but I feel like I am a contributor right now."
On a team that features All-Star caliber players like Peja Stojakovich, Chris Webber and Mike Bibby, Martin is a solid piece to the Kings' puzzle.
Starting for injured Doug Christie, Martin averages 7 points per game as a two-guard in the preseason. He has guarded the likes of Tracy McGrady (twice) and Kobe Bryant, both first-team All-NBA players playing in the Western Conference.
He saw McGrady twice in back-to-back games during a cross-country trip to China, when the Kings played the Rockets twice in Beijing and Shanghai, respectively.
"They all call me young fella," Martin said. "When we played the Lakers, I took a charge on Kobe and when we were coming back down the court, he was like, 'you won't get the call in the regular season, young fella.'
"But really, they were both pretty cool out there," he added. "They didn't really say anything to me. They are both crafty. Kobe is a lot stronger. McGrady's legs are like mine."
Martin felt he held his own against two of the league's top scorers, at least defensively. But he admits that he has been reluctant to shoot because of the veterans around him.
That has struck the ire of Kings head coach Rick Adelman, who has reminded Martin that he was drafted for his ability to score and make plays offensively.
"In practice the other day, (Adelman) was like, 'what am I going to have to do to get you to shoot the ball, fine you?,'" Martin said. "Even (Webber) was like, 'don't worry about shooting the ball. You were the leading scorer in the country last year. That's why we brought you here.' But at the same time, these guys are veterans, and they have been playing together for a long time. I don't want to do anything to mess up the chemistry those guys have."
Martin will play behind veteran Christie at the two-guard throughout the season, providing the defensive specialist recovers from off-season surgery.
Still, Martin knows he is expected to be more than just a spot player on a team that could be searching for offense if injuries to star players strike again.
"I think I'm just getting the feel right now," Martin said. "It's an adjustment. I know there are more shots I should be taking. I just have to brainwash myself and convince myself that it's all right."
Originally published Sunday, October 31, 2004
) and first I still hesitate to shoot.....then I force to do more shooting and end up shooting very bad........(and almost got kick out of team....but that's another story that you don't wanna know.....