Special K Erupts for 53 in SPDL Finale

[1kingzfan]

Kevin Martin did it all tonight, scoring inside, outside, and every which way imaginable, pouring in 53 points in DMC's 123-116 loss to Doc's/Pro Med in the final game of the SPDL regular season. Martin's lofty scoring tally was the highest individual scoring performance in the league this summer. The Kings' guard wound up as the second leading scorer in the SPDL with a 39.3 ppg average, behind Mike Bibby's 40.0 ppg recorded in only two games.

Special K saved his best for the second half, bucketing 31 points in leading his team back from a 20-point deficit to close within 4 points in the final 2 minutes. He scored on 3-pointers, leaners in the lane, lay-ins after executing killer corssover dribbles, pretty little scoop shots, and breakaway dunks.

Martin's most impressive score was mid-3rd quarter, when he raised up for a trey, drawing his defender skyward. He then drop-stepped just inside the arc in an attempt to draw the foul (which was committed but not whistled) and then calmly drained the 22-footer.

All in all, there were some incredible offensive performances by individuals on both teams, and the game was most enjoyable to watch. The fans really got into this one moreso than any other SPDL game I attended over the last month. The overall defensive play in the game was shoddy, although it tightened up considerably in the 4th quarter.

I spoke with Kevin at halftime, inquiring as to what his plans were for tomorrow night's all star game. Kevin said, "I'm not playing; I've got Las Vegas next week." But then, when I told him that Kingsgurl, who was not able to attend tonight's game, would be disappointed since she wanted to see him play tomorrow night, he replied, "Well, I might...you never know."

So those planning on attending tomorrow night's SPDL all star game (tipoff at 7 PM at Capital Christian HS), please know that it is not a certainty that either Martin or Matt Barnes will be there.

I captured a few post-worthy photos and will post them later on this evening.

Oh yeah, and those of you already placing Garcia in front of Martin on the Kings' depth chart may be acting a bit prematurely.

 

[SacTownKid]

Yeah but how was his D

 

[1kingzfan]

3 or 4 steals and, as usual, a decent job of staying in front of his man. His effort level in league play is probably somewhere around 75%. You can see that he is playing "carefully", probably to avoid an injury, although tonight he drove the lane often and got knocked around by the big guys pretty well.

 

[John Galt]

I've dissed Martin plenty, but I just read a transcript of the Coach Adelman interview from 1140 and he seems to be high on the kid - so I'm openminded now.

I hope he turns out to be a star, and I hope Kenyon Martin gets hit by a truck so Kevin can have the good nickname.

 

[BigWaxer]

Congrats to KMART. Sounds like it was a great game by him

Oh yeah, and those of you already placing Garcia in front of Martin on the Kings' depth chart may be acting a bit prematurely.

While some want to knock Garcia, especially here at this forum since some have a vested interest in KM... Lets just wait and see. They are both on our team and I think we should support them both. No matter who starts.

Who knows maybe this move to get the "LASSASIN" will prove to help Kevin work to improve his game that much more. Give him that much more reason to prove he is better.

With that said sounds like he had a solid game.

 

[6th]

Darn! And I had planned on attending that game. Unfortunately, something came up, so I changed my plans to attend the All Star Game on Friday. Well, I will be there whether Kevin is or not.

Thanks for a great report, 1kingzfan.

 

[VF21]

Thanks for the update, 1kingzfan. Individual scoring record? Not bad. Second leading scorer behind Mike Bibby? Also not bad at all!!

 

[Bibby_Is_Clutch]

The Kid's got game. No doubt about it.

 

[VF21]

"LASSASSIN"??? Dude, that just sounds wrong on so many different levels.

 

[loopymitch]

Good for you special K

 

[Kingsgurl]

Glad to hear he had a great game. That kid is slippery quick, I love the fearless way he LOVES slashing to the basket. I think we are going to see a much more aggressive Kevin this year, as he continues to make his adjustment to the 'big leagues'.

I really hope he does play tomorrow, since I won't be able to head to Vegas for Summer League, unfortunately. Hmmm, maybe the have a Harrah's there?

 

[Bricklayer]

I also scored 14 in the that game, and I'm pretty sure VF21 scored on an uncontested layup there at the end.

 

[Kingsgurl]

Well, at least you got double digits there, Brick. You should be proud. Not quite 50 or anything, but respectable.

 

[BigWaxer]

"LASSASSIN"??? Dude, that just sounds wrong on so many different levels.

HAHAHAH Don't even make me go there VF.

 

[VF21]

I phrased my response very carefully, Waxer. It's not my fault if your mind chose the path of least resistance.

 

[1kingzfan]

OK, here is a link to a slideshow of the pics I took tonight of Kevin at the SPDL game.

http://flickr.com/photos/86679224@N00/show/

No giggling, please. The camera is hecka-slow and the guy taking the pix was even slower! There are 25 shots in all.. the blurry one (actually one of several blur jobs) with Kevin on the baseline was an extremely late attempt to capture a Special K breakaway dunk.

 

[Kingsgurl]

Damn hard to capture motion in that gym. You did a good job for the tools you had to work with (I know, since I have the same camera ) Thanks for the report and the pics!!!

 

[1kingzfan]

I also scored 14 in the that game, and I'm pretty sure VF21 scored on an uncontested layup there at the end.

Actually, as many shots as were being swatted away tonight, I kinda doubt you woulda even gotten the chance to "brick" one.

 

[Fillmoe]

is it me or did he put on some muscle/weight?

 

[1kingzfan]

His arms are more developed, but it's kinda hard to tell about the weight.

Which all means that I could never get a job on the midway in a carnival (or as a photographer).

 

[kings52/23]

you got my grandma and part of my leg in one of yoru pictures i also got some from tonight ill post them later

 

[Kingsgurl]

If you look at photos (or see him in person) from last year at this time (right after the draft) and now, there is no doubt that he has added significant upper body strength. I think the focus on adding 'weight' to the man is a waste of time and probably detrimental to the quickness that is his asset. Once he is matured into his NBA body, he will be much along the lines of Doug, IMO. On the thin side, but wiry strong.

 

[VF21]

I thought the same thing, Fillmoe.

 

[kings52/23]

ive been noticing he has been looking like he has muscles

 

[GoGoGadget]

"LASSASSIN"??? Dude, that just sounds wrong on so many different levels.

Sounds more French than anything else.

Or perhaps its a rather lewd Scottish ritual.

 

[Kingsgurl]

One of the things I like most about Kevin is his quiet, but killer confidence. I think he spent last season 'getting the feel of things' and that this season will show more of his true nature. A nature demontrated by a his quote in SLAM in May of '04. At that point, they had labeled him, Jack Rabbit Slim and noted that, after not being recruited by the big schools and having a killer season as a Freshman, that he then turned down opportunities to 'further his career' in the Big Ten because he was loyal to the school that gave him the chance. "I'd rather play against those big schools than for them"
Maybe it's just something that I've carried over from the dark days, but I LOVE the under-dog. I LOVE attitudes that say "I will suceed, no matter the odds" I respect people that chart their course and show loyalty and commitment to those that help them, even if it means their own road may be a little tougher (It would have been SO easy for Kevin to switch schools to further his agenda, get more exposure) Maybe it's just because loyalty (whether it be a player to a Franchise or vice versa) seems like such a lost concept these days that I value this as a trait.
The league is full of talented players, but Kevin is a player, a man, that I am proud to call a King.

 

[kings52/23]

sounds good, hey by anychance do you know who was on the cover of that magazine

 

[loopymitch]

Brick, which one were you?

 

[mazzystar]

I wish Kevin all the best, and hope to one day see him as our starting 2 guard. IMO I think Kevin has more upside than Mo.

 

[Diabeticwonder]

Glad to see KMart wearing his earings during the game. Only if he would have busted out the long chain like earings that Dave Parker and Barry Bonds used to wear.