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Martin not wrong for playing in local Gus Macker
by Sam Blackburn
Published June 8, 2006
When asked why he continues to play in the Zanesville Gus Macker, despite his lofty status for NBA's Sacramento Kings, Kevin Martin had a simple answer.
"I want to give people the chance to see me play who normally wouldn't get to," he said this past weekend. "There are a lot of people who don't see me during the season because of the (west coast) time difference, or because they don't get the NBA season (TV) package. This gives them a chance to see what I can do."
Yet many still questioned why. They wondered why he risked the chance of a career-threatening injury over a few games of glorified street ball. After all, it only takes one player with a jealous bone, a conscience to match and one undercut below the basket to end everything. For that matter, it takes only one misstep on a slick court, or a move in the wrong direction to wrench an ACL.
These are legitimate concerns from people who care about Martin's future. And while he appreciates the hometown fans' concerns, he's politely made it clear that he's plenty old enough to make his own decisions.
"I could get hurt playing anywhere," Martin said. "I could get hurt playing or working out back home. You can't worry about that. I play basketball all of the time. This isn't any different than anywhere else."
It should be noted, however, that while Martin has played in the Gus Macker for years, he doesn't exactly dive after loose balls or take charges. He'll be the first to admit that playing defense in these games isn't one of his priorities. And he was on the Top Court, where players were on a plastic surface, rather than concrete.
It's important for everyone to understand that Martin is going to do what he wants. You could complain and criticize him for playing until doomsday. At the end of the day, he's going to do his own thing, and he'll be back doing the same thing next year.
Bottom line: People should respect his intelligence, not question it.
In Martin, you're talking about a man with tremendous loyalty, both to his friends and his hometown. If he says coming home and playing with his college friends is important, take him for his word. If he says he knows what he is doing, and isn't overly concerned, perhaps you should listen. He's played basketball his entire life. I think he knows when to draw the line. We're talking about a college-educated millionaire here, not someone who can't see beyond the competition.
"Over the summer (Kings assistant coach Pete) Carril said to play 3-on-3 and 4-on-4. Everything doesn't have to be structured 5-on-5," Martin explained. "Games like that, you have more room to make your cuts and things like that, and you can still take that with you to 5-on-5."
For those unfamiliar, Carril is the legendary former Princeton coach who, along with Zanesville High coach Scott Aronhalt, are probably the most instrumental figures in Martin's development as a basketball player. If Carril says it's okay to kick it old school with the boys back home in a 3-on-3 tournament, no one in Zanesville is going to tell him it's not.
And quite frankly, his playing was purely for entertainment purposes only, offering a source of diversion from the pressure cooker that is NBA basketball.
He really likes the kids and the fans who seek his signature. It's his way of giving back, which is something we should all be proud of as Zanesvillians.
So relax already. There are a lot bigger issues to worry about.
------------------------------------------------
This is from the Zanesville Times Recorder. Apparently some of his hometown folk were a little concerned about Kevin; sounds like some of the stuff we've fretted over.
Martin not wrong for playing in local Gus Macker
by Sam Blackburn
Published June 8, 2006
When asked why he continues to play in the Zanesville Gus Macker, despite his lofty status for NBA's Sacramento Kings, Kevin Martin had a simple answer.
"I want to give people the chance to see me play who normally wouldn't get to," he said this past weekend. "There are a lot of people who don't see me during the season because of the (west coast) time difference, or because they don't get the NBA season (TV) package. This gives them a chance to see what I can do."
Yet many still questioned why. They wondered why he risked the chance of a career-threatening injury over a few games of glorified street ball. After all, it only takes one player with a jealous bone, a conscience to match and one undercut below the basket to end everything. For that matter, it takes only one misstep on a slick court, or a move in the wrong direction to wrench an ACL.
These are legitimate concerns from people who care about Martin's future. And while he appreciates the hometown fans' concerns, he's politely made it clear that he's plenty old enough to make his own decisions.
"I could get hurt playing anywhere," Martin said. "I could get hurt playing or working out back home. You can't worry about that. I play basketball all of the time. This isn't any different than anywhere else."
It should be noted, however, that while Martin has played in the Gus Macker for years, he doesn't exactly dive after loose balls or take charges. He'll be the first to admit that playing defense in these games isn't one of his priorities. And he was on the Top Court, where players were on a plastic surface, rather than concrete.
It's important for everyone to understand that Martin is going to do what he wants. You could complain and criticize him for playing until doomsday. At the end of the day, he's going to do his own thing, and he'll be back doing the same thing next year.
Bottom line: People should respect his intelligence, not question it.
In Martin, you're talking about a man with tremendous loyalty, both to his friends and his hometown. If he says coming home and playing with his college friends is important, take him for his word. If he says he knows what he is doing, and isn't overly concerned, perhaps you should listen. He's played basketball his entire life. I think he knows when to draw the line. We're talking about a college-educated millionaire here, not someone who can't see beyond the competition.
"Over the summer (Kings assistant coach Pete) Carril said to play 3-on-3 and 4-on-4. Everything doesn't have to be structured 5-on-5," Martin explained. "Games like that, you have more room to make your cuts and things like that, and you can still take that with you to 5-on-5."
For those unfamiliar, Carril is the legendary former Princeton coach who, along with Zanesville High coach Scott Aronhalt, are probably the most instrumental figures in Martin's development as a basketball player. If Carril says it's okay to kick it old school with the boys back home in a 3-on-3 tournament, no one in Zanesville is going to tell him it's not.
And quite frankly, his playing was purely for entertainment purposes only, offering a source of diversion from the pressure cooker that is NBA basketball.
He really likes the kids and the fans who seek his signature. It's his way of giving back, which is something we should all be proud of as Zanesvillians.
So relax already. There are a lot bigger issues to worry about.
------------------------------------------------
This is from the Zanesville Times Recorder. Apparently some of his hometown folk were a little concerned about Kevin; sounds like some of the stuff we've fretted over.
