Marty Mac's World: Martin makes it look easy, but it isn't
By Martin McNeal - mmcneal@sacbee.com
Last Updated 12:16 am PST Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C2
Kings guard Kevin Martin turns 25 on Feb. 1 and, barring injury, by that time should be well on his way to his first NBA All-Star Game.
Entering Monday night's game in Salt Lake City against the Utah Jazz, Martin was second in the league in scoring (28 points per game), first in minutes (41.6) and free-throw attempts per game (13.5) and tied for 76th in turnovers (2.0).
Yes, it's early in the season. But I'll guess 98 percent of the players ever to perform in the NBA never spent a day as the league's second-leading scorer. It's just not as easy as great scorers make it seem.
People still underestimate how good Martin is and good he can become. For him, it's actually good that folks are sleeping on him. Once his skill is universally acknowledged, the expectations will follow.
Martin knows many facets of his game need improvement and, really, that always should be his personal challenge. Can any player become the perfect defender? No.
Think about how many off-balance shots Martin takes and makes, for that matter. With more experience and increased ballhandling ability, Martin will attempt fewer such shots and his shooting percentage will improve. He was shooting 43.7 percent entering Monday night and often carrying an offense that regains the services of Ron Artest on Wednesday at Minnesota but still will be without Mike Bibby for the rest of the calendar year...
http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/487404.html
By Martin McNeal - mmcneal@sacbee.com
Last Updated 12:16 am PST Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C2
Kings guard Kevin Martin turns 25 on Feb. 1 and, barring injury, by that time should be well on his way to his first NBA All-Star Game.
Entering Monday night's game in Salt Lake City against the Utah Jazz, Martin was second in the league in scoring (28 points per game), first in minutes (41.6) and free-throw attempts per game (13.5) and tied for 76th in turnovers (2.0).
Yes, it's early in the season. But I'll guess 98 percent of the players ever to perform in the NBA never spent a day as the league's second-leading scorer. It's just not as easy as great scorers make it seem.
People still underestimate how good Martin is and good he can become. For him, it's actually good that folks are sleeping on him. Once his skill is universally acknowledged, the expectations will follow.
Martin knows many facets of his game need improvement and, really, that always should be his personal challenge. Can any player become the perfect defender? No.
Think about how many off-balance shots Martin takes and makes, for that matter. With more experience and increased ballhandling ability, Martin will attempt fewer such shots and his shooting percentage will improve. He was shooting 43.7 percent entering Monday night and often carrying an offense that regains the services of Ron Artest on Wednesday at Minnesota but still will be without Mike Bibby for the rest of the calendar year...
http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/487404.html
