http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/76446.html
Marty Mac's world: Kings' Martin rises alongside the stars
By Martin McNeal - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:46 am PST Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Mr. Unorthodox also is Mr. Efficient.
For all the people who slept Kings guard Kevin Martin, his rise is a testament to hard work, self-confidence and preparedness meeting opportunity.
And, oh yes, the ability to get things done your way, even if you must smack doubters along the way. So, wind up K-Mart's sidewinding jump shot, combine it with surprisingly quick feet and his ability to play with an egoless, yet confident approach, and here's a 23-year-old from Zanesville, Ohio, with a chance to play in the All-Star Game this season.
Certainly, there's a long way to go for that to unfold, and we're only six games into the season. Martin is just beginning his first full season as an NBA starter. He has to prove that long, thin frame can hold up to the pounding of the season as well as the ever-increasing attention coming his way.
Martin has to prove he can deal with the attention and nuances opposing defenses will bring his way.
Yet, check out what Martin is doing and how he's doing it. His 23.8 points per game ranked 16th entering Monday night's action. His 14.3 field-goal attempts per game were lower than each of the top 25 scorers except for the 13.2 by the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (No. 23 at 21.2).
Among those players scoring at a higher rate, only Houston's Yao Ming (27.3 points) and San Antonio's Tony Parker (24.2) had higher field-goal percentages at 59.3 and 55.6, respectively, than Martin's 54.7. In the Western Conference, Martin was the seventh-leading scorer, third-highest guard (behind Seattle's Ray Allen and Parker) and second-highest shooting guard (behind Allen).
Moreover, Martin won't turn 24 until Feb. 1. That makes him younger than all but Cleveland's LeBron James and Denver's Carmelo Anthony among the current top 20 scorers. There is upside, and although Martin can be seen leaving the defensive end a little early sometimes to get out on the break, he also uses those quick feet to defend.
And it must be admitted that when Martin, the 26th pick of the 2004 draft, showed previously unheard bravado last season, it made me take a step back. He stepped in for the injured Bonzi Wells and began making his imprint game after game.
Said Martin, "Yeah, I'm starting to feel comfortable, and when I get there, it's going to be just like it was in college."
Martin was the nation's second-leading Division I scorer during his junior and final season at Western Carolina. And he made the above statement just as matter-of-factly as he constantly credits point guard Mike Bibby for much of his success and playing hurt.
Bibby justifies Musselman's remarks
It's early, and already there's little doubt that Kings coach Eric Musselman can lay it on a little thick. In fact, for somewhat longtime Kings fans, some of that talk reminds one of Mr. Positive Mental Attitude himself, former Sacramento coach Garry St. Jean.
Musselman has been quoted pumping up players for performing so well (presumably in practice), yet holding back on the playing time, such as in Francisco García's case. Hopefully, we're seeing a second-time coach, who had a reputation for difficulty getting along with some of his Golden State players, attempting to do it a different way.
But Musselman has been on the mark regarding the effort Bibby has given while not missing a game. He has been playing with a sore right wrist and thumb, probably to his own detriment.
Anyone watching Bibby shoot and handle realizes he's hardly healthy.
"Real bad," Bibby said Monday when asked how much his wrist hurts. "I can't get any wrist snap on my jumper."
Perhaps the scariest concept is Bibby having to break a fall -- naturally -- with his hands down.
About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
Marty Mac's world: Kings' Martin rises alongside the stars
By Martin McNeal - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:46 am PST Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Mr. Unorthodox also is Mr. Efficient.
For all the people who slept Kings guard Kevin Martin, his rise is a testament to hard work, self-confidence and preparedness meeting opportunity.
And, oh yes, the ability to get things done your way, even if you must smack doubters along the way. So, wind up K-Mart's sidewinding jump shot, combine it with surprisingly quick feet and his ability to play with an egoless, yet confident approach, and here's a 23-year-old from Zanesville, Ohio, with a chance to play in the All-Star Game this season.
Certainly, there's a long way to go for that to unfold, and we're only six games into the season. Martin is just beginning his first full season as an NBA starter. He has to prove that long, thin frame can hold up to the pounding of the season as well as the ever-increasing attention coming his way.
Martin has to prove he can deal with the attention and nuances opposing defenses will bring his way.
Yet, check out what Martin is doing and how he's doing it. His 23.8 points per game ranked 16th entering Monday night's action. His 14.3 field-goal attempts per game were lower than each of the top 25 scorers except for the 13.2 by the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (No. 23 at 21.2).
Among those players scoring at a higher rate, only Houston's Yao Ming (27.3 points) and San Antonio's Tony Parker (24.2) had higher field-goal percentages at 59.3 and 55.6, respectively, than Martin's 54.7. In the Western Conference, Martin was the seventh-leading scorer, third-highest guard (behind Seattle's Ray Allen and Parker) and second-highest shooting guard (behind Allen).
Moreover, Martin won't turn 24 until Feb. 1. That makes him younger than all but Cleveland's LeBron James and Denver's Carmelo Anthony among the current top 20 scorers. There is upside, and although Martin can be seen leaving the defensive end a little early sometimes to get out on the break, he also uses those quick feet to defend.
And it must be admitted that when Martin, the 26th pick of the 2004 draft, showed previously unheard bravado last season, it made me take a step back. He stepped in for the injured Bonzi Wells and began making his imprint game after game.
Said Martin, "Yeah, I'm starting to feel comfortable, and when I get there, it's going to be just like it was in college."
Martin was the nation's second-leading Division I scorer during his junior and final season at Western Carolina. And he made the above statement just as matter-of-factly as he constantly credits point guard Mike Bibby for much of his success and playing hurt.
Bibby justifies Musselman's remarks
It's early, and already there's little doubt that Kings coach Eric Musselman can lay it on a little thick. In fact, for somewhat longtime Kings fans, some of that talk reminds one of Mr. Positive Mental Attitude himself, former Sacramento coach Garry St. Jean.
Musselman has been quoted pumping up players for performing so well (presumably in practice), yet holding back on the playing time, such as in Francisco García's case. Hopefully, we're seeing a second-time coach, who had a reputation for difficulty getting along with some of his Golden State players, attempting to do it a different way.
But Musselman has been on the mark regarding the effort Bibby has given while not missing a game. He has been playing with a sore right wrist and thumb, probably to his own detriment.
Anyone watching Bibby shoot and handle realizes he's hardly healthy.
"Real bad," Bibby said Monday when asked how much his wrist hurts. "I can't get any wrist snap on my jumper."
Perhaps the scariest concept is Bibby having to break a fall -- naturally -- with his hands down.
About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
