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One-on-One with Kevin Martin
By Bill Ingram
Oct 14, 2006, 11:01
Kevin Martin was not supposed to be a rising star in the NBA. It wasn't in the original playbook. So what happened? He had a successful college career at Western Carolina, but didn't really start to make an impact with the Kings until he started doing extra work with a personal trainer. Coach David Thorpe of The Pro Training Center in Tampa, Florida helped Kevin take his unquenchable thirst to be the best in the game and turn it into a focused training program that would fast track Kevin not only to the NBA, but also to unlimited success within its ranks. This year's theme is "Take the Next Step," and we got with Kevin to find out what that's all about.
Kevin, Coach Thorpe tells us your theme for the season is "Take the Next Step." Can you tell us what that means on the offensive end?
"On the offensive end it means being aggressive. It means that when I get the ball I don't just look for someone else. I get in the triple threat and if I don't have a shot I do some jab steps and go by people this year, get to the free throw line."
And defensively?
"Defensively it means I have to run out and get in the passing lanes, trying to time passes and get steals. Then I'm coming over on the weak side and just trying to make things happen. On the ball it means taking charges and really staying in front of people."
How do you take it to the next level off of the court?
"Off the court we have some young guys who play my position and I'm trying to help them. Like Quincy (Douby) - I'm trying to tell him how it's going to be through the season, from practices to traveling. I'm trying to help him out and make his year a little easier."
Have you added anything to your training before and after games as you've begun to play more minutes and be more a part of the this team?
"I'm doing plenty of stretching, but also icing. I've never iced that much before. I've also added some cardio. Right now I feel like I can run forever."
You have a new head coach this season. How has Eric Musselman changed the identity of this team?
"He brings a lot more intensity to the team. He wants us to get up on people. Rick (Adelman) was a great coach, too. His record shows that. But I feel like, for me, I feel like I can play for anybody, any coach. Musselman just brings more intensity."
You spend a lot of time working out with the Heat's Udonis Haslem. Coach Thorpe said you were impressed by Haslem's summer?
"We have the same trainer, so we work out every summer. Udonis really picked it up this summer. I don't know why (Coach Thorpe) changed his workout, but you have to listen to your trainer. He did a lot more running, more playing one-on-one, two-on-two, and you can sense he's going to have a great year."
You seemed to take ownership of the starting position on this team when Peja Stojakovic was traded, even though you had Bonzi Wells playing in front of you.
"Well, I was nurtured into it last year. I was just feeding off of the other veterans on our team. Starting or coming off the bench I just felt like I want to be out there contributing. Guys nurtured me into the starting position and I just keep on feeding off of them."
What has Ron Artest meant to the team since he arrived?
"He brings a lot of aggressiveness on the defensive and offensive end. Even if you're down by 20 he wants you to just . . .try to kill people (laughing) . . .he just wants you to play - even if you're up by 20 - he just wants you to play like you're down, like it's the last seconds of the game. If you don't . . .you'll hear from him."
And of course, we have to know about the haircut. No more curls - short and tight now.
"Yeah, I had to let my boyhood go. I'm trying to be a man now."
So it's all about the hair?
"Yeah."
The best testament to the value the Sacramento Kings place on Kevin Martin is the departure of Bonzi Wells. The Kings made Wells a reasonable offer, but knew he was looking for big money in free agency. They made him a fair offer, but not one that would keep him in town. The real plan was to turn the two-guard spot over the Kevin, who's grit and determination made the position his own last season. The Kings have done a good job of maintaining a level of excellence even while moving from a group of playoff veterans to a younger group with talent and potential. Kevin Martin will be leading the way as the Kings attempt to get back to the level of excellent that saw them become perennial championship contenders throughout the 90's and early 00's.
© Copyright 2005 by HOOPSWORLD.com, a Basketball News Services Exclusive
One-on-One with Kevin Martin
By Bill Ingram
Oct 14, 2006, 11:01
Kevin Martin was not supposed to be a rising star in the NBA. It wasn't in the original playbook. So what happened? He had a successful college career at Western Carolina, but didn't really start to make an impact with the Kings until he started doing extra work with a personal trainer. Coach David Thorpe of The Pro Training Center in Tampa, Florida helped Kevin take his unquenchable thirst to be the best in the game and turn it into a focused training program that would fast track Kevin not only to the NBA, but also to unlimited success within its ranks. This year's theme is "Take the Next Step," and we got with Kevin to find out what that's all about.
Kevin, Coach Thorpe tells us your theme for the season is "Take the Next Step." Can you tell us what that means on the offensive end?
"On the offensive end it means being aggressive. It means that when I get the ball I don't just look for someone else. I get in the triple threat and if I don't have a shot I do some jab steps and go by people this year, get to the free throw line."
And defensively?
"Defensively it means I have to run out and get in the passing lanes, trying to time passes and get steals. Then I'm coming over on the weak side and just trying to make things happen. On the ball it means taking charges and really staying in front of people."
How do you take it to the next level off of the court?
"Off the court we have some young guys who play my position and I'm trying to help them. Like Quincy (Douby) - I'm trying to tell him how it's going to be through the season, from practices to traveling. I'm trying to help him out and make his year a little easier."
Have you added anything to your training before and after games as you've begun to play more minutes and be more a part of the this team?
"I'm doing plenty of stretching, but also icing. I've never iced that much before. I've also added some cardio. Right now I feel like I can run forever."
You have a new head coach this season. How has Eric Musselman changed the identity of this team?
"He brings a lot more intensity to the team. He wants us to get up on people. Rick (Adelman) was a great coach, too. His record shows that. But I feel like, for me, I feel like I can play for anybody, any coach. Musselman just brings more intensity."
You spend a lot of time working out with the Heat's Udonis Haslem. Coach Thorpe said you were impressed by Haslem's summer?
"We have the same trainer, so we work out every summer. Udonis really picked it up this summer. I don't know why (Coach Thorpe) changed his workout, but you have to listen to your trainer. He did a lot more running, more playing one-on-one, two-on-two, and you can sense he's going to have a great year."
You seemed to take ownership of the starting position on this team when Peja Stojakovic was traded, even though you had Bonzi Wells playing in front of you.
"Well, I was nurtured into it last year. I was just feeding off of the other veterans on our team. Starting or coming off the bench I just felt like I want to be out there contributing. Guys nurtured me into the starting position and I just keep on feeding off of them."
What has Ron Artest meant to the team since he arrived?
"He brings a lot of aggressiveness on the defensive and offensive end. Even if you're down by 20 he wants you to just . . .try to kill people (laughing) . . .he just wants you to play - even if you're up by 20 - he just wants you to play like you're down, like it's the last seconds of the game. If you don't . . .you'll hear from him."
And of course, we have to know about the haircut. No more curls - short and tight now.
"Yeah, I had to let my boyhood go. I'm trying to be a man now."
So it's all about the hair?
"Yeah."
The best testament to the value the Sacramento Kings place on Kevin Martin is the departure of Bonzi Wells. The Kings made Wells a reasonable offer, but knew he was looking for big money in free agency. They made him a fair offer, but not one that would keep him in town. The real plan was to turn the two-guard spot over the Kevin, who's grit and determination made the position his own last season. The Kings have done a good job of maintaining a level of excellence even while moving from a group of playoff veterans to a younger group with talent and potential. Kevin Martin will be leading the way as the Kings attempt to get back to the level of excellent that saw them become perennial championship contenders throughout the 90's and early 00's.
© Copyright 2005 by HOOPSWORLD.com, a Basketball News Services Exclusive
... or that we were perennial championship contenders throughout the 90's 
