Muggz_43701
Prospect
By SAM BLACKBURN
Sports Writer
Kevin Martin sits with his mother Marilyn Martin as family members are recognized at Secrest Auditorium during a banquet for the NBA player from the Muskingum County NAACP earlier this year. Related news from the web
ZANESVILLE - Kevin Martin has basically had no offseason.
The Zanesville native and Sacramento Kings guard has been working out religiously trying to prepare himself for his second year in the NBA, one he hopes nets him a starting spot at the two-guard position recently vacated after starter Cuttino Mobley signed with the Clippers.
After leaving Zanesville, where he spent three weeks in June, not only did he compete with teammates Bobby Jackson and Michael Bibby in a summer league in Sacramento, but also in an NBA summer congregation in Las Vegas. He shined in both, scoring more than 30 points on two different occasions.
"The main thing is just confidence," Martin said from Vegas recently. "I know I have the talent to go out there and succeed in this league, it's just a matter of taking it to the court."
Martin has made a concerted effort this summer in improving an inconsistent long-range jump shot, something that hindered him at times last year. Already blessed with a splendid mid-range game and savvy free throw shooting, Martin feels a steady jumper - and improved strength and endurace - is all that he is lacking.
"Once guys know that they have to respect your jumper, it makes getting to the rim that much easier," Martin said. "I proved I could get to the line last year. Now I have to prove that I can make shots."
One thing is certain: Martin knows this is a pivotal year in his career. Although he still has two guaranteed years remaining on a three-year contract he signed as a first-round draft choice, the Kings could go in a different direction with their plans if things fail to fall in place this year.
"The coach and GM both called me into their office after the season was over to talk to me about it," Martin said recently. "They basically told me that they know I have the talent to play in this league, and they still have a lot of confidence in me. They said that I will have every chance to earn that starting job, but that it's up to me to prove I deserve it."
That's why his workout routine has become even more demanding. He basically spent the entire summer working out with coaches and Jackson, one of his mentors who himself is trying to work back into peak condition after missing most of the past two seasons with injuries.
It seems to be paying off. Martin averaged 19 points per game in the Vegas league and has bulked up to 189 pounds - 17 more than last summer.
"This is the hardest I have worked in my life," Martin said. "You work out in the morning, shoot in the afternoon and work out again after that. It's really all that I have done."
Sports Writer
Times Recorder file photo
Kevin Martin sits with his mother Marilyn Martin as family members are recognized at Secrest Auditorium during a banquet for the NBA player from the Muskingum County NAACP earlier this year. Related news from the web
ZANESVILLE - Kevin Martin has basically had no offseason.
The Zanesville native and Sacramento Kings guard has been working out religiously trying to prepare himself for his second year in the NBA, one he hopes nets him a starting spot at the two-guard position recently vacated after starter Cuttino Mobley signed with the Clippers.
After leaving Zanesville, where he spent three weeks in June, not only did he compete with teammates Bobby Jackson and Michael Bibby in a summer league in Sacramento, but also in an NBA summer congregation in Las Vegas. He shined in both, scoring more than 30 points on two different occasions.
"The main thing is just confidence," Martin said from Vegas recently. "I know I have the talent to go out there and succeed in this league, it's just a matter of taking it to the court."
Martin has made a concerted effort this summer in improving an inconsistent long-range jump shot, something that hindered him at times last year. Already blessed with a splendid mid-range game and savvy free throw shooting, Martin feels a steady jumper - and improved strength and endurace - is all that he is lacking.
"Once guys know that they have to respect your jumper, it makes getting to the rim that much easier," Martin said. "I proved I could get to the line last year. Now I have to prove that I can make shots."
One thing is certain: Martin knows this is a pivotal year in his career. Although he still has two guaranteed years remaining on a three-year contract he signed as a first-round draft choice, the Kings could go in a different direction with their plans if things fail to fall in place this year.
"The coach and GM both called me into their office after the season was over to talk to me about it," Martin said recently. "They basically told me that they know I have the talent to play in this league, and they still have a lot of confidence in me. They said that I will have every chance to earn that starting job, but that it's up to me to prove I deserve it."
That's why his workout routine has become even more demanding. He basically spent the entire summer working out with coaches and Jackson, one of his mentors who himself is trying to work back into peak condition after missing most of the past two seasons with injuries.
It seems to be paying off. Martin averaged 19 points per game in the Vegas league and has bulked up to 189 pounds - 17 more than last summer.
"This is the hardest I have worked in my life," Martin said. "You work out in the morning, shoot in the afternoon and work out again after that. It's really all that I have done."
