Special K-Less

1

1kingzfan

Bench
It's now been 5 straight games that Kevin Martin has received a DNP-CD from Coach Adelman. No action since his 21-minute, 7-point performance against the Knicks.

I'm a little bit perplexed as to why Kevin has been relegated to the pine, especially at this time. Admittedly, Kevin has disappeared on O a lot of the time, but I attribute that not only to Kevin himself but also his teammates for not always getting him involved in the flow.

But the Kings have played their poorest defense of the season through this stretch, and I've felt that Kevin has done pretty well on D when he's had a chance...nowhere near perfect, but generally decent minutes on D.

I feel that Bibby, in particular, has been the root of the Kings' defensive woes, since he is now the target of all opponents' attacks via: 1) taking him off the dribble at the top, 2) screen and rolling him where Mike goes way under the screens, or 3) isolating the court and posting him up down low. We're seeing all of these things happen now, and with an already unathletic, slow-rotating bunch on the front line, it is even more damaging.

Even though Mobley is a decent defender 1-on-1, we have now seen why we truly miss the "one-man zone" in Doug. Christie was indeed starting to get broken down a lot more this season 1-on-1, but he was still all over the court helping all four teammates on defense for their deficiencies. His absence probably has a lot to do with why the Kings are giving up just under 5 more points per game since he left.

Finally, I haven't seen any real consistency in the play of House and Barnes on either end of the floor for their minutes, so that has me further wondering why Kevin hasn't gotten a shot recently. Evans, I think all would agree, has been more consistent in his play and his minutes are earned.

So my point is that to alternate for a few minutes at one of the guard slots with Special K in there could be a nice change-up to throw at our opponents and maybe even provide a boost defensively.

Kevin's athleticism, one of the Kings' greatest weaknesses, is wasting away on the bench as of late.
 
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Hmmm, Kings are 1-4 in that same 5 game stretch......... I think I should make that my new sig;)

Seriously though, you know I have been thinking the same thing.
 
Regardless of how Barnes is playing, the bottom line is that Martin is often physically overmatched at the off guard right now, let alone at small forward. He isn't going to take minutes from Barnes as Matt is really our only small forward on the roster after Peja.

Evans can slide to the 3 for stretches so with Peja out, I think Kevin may get some run backing up Mobley in the next two games.

Kevin Martin has the tools to be a player in this league but he has some strides to make. Obviously, he needs to get stronger. He also needs to avoid drifting for long stretches and lastly, I think he needs to alter/rebuild his shot mechanics. With his shot and release, he is going to have a tough time reaching a level of consistency on his jumpers.
 
It's All Good ...

funkykingston said:
Regardless of how Barnes is playing, the bottom line is that Martin is often physically overmatched at the off guard right now, let alone at small forward. He isn't going to take minutes from Barnes as Matt is really our only small forward on the roster after Peja.

Evans can slide to the 3 for stretches so with Peja out, I think Kevin may get some run backing up Mobley in the next two games.

Kevin Martin has the tools to be a player in this league but he has some strides to make. Obviously, he needs to get stronger. He also needs to avoid drifting for long stretches and lastly, I think he needs to alter/rebuild his shot mechanics. With his shot and release, he is going to have a tough time reaching a level of consistency on his jumpers.
Click to expand...

#1 - I agree

#2 - KM has been shooting this way his whole life (players develop their OWN style and if it's worked for them, I got no problem with it). Maybe a few minor tweaks here-n-there (creating own shot, don't force it, moving without the ball, same mechanics every attempt). I like the fact the Carril is working with KM on his free-throws (this is vital and definitely needs work).
 
I noted this back before this current little streak occured -- but Kevin had some shaky efforts there before everybody came back, and when the minutes got tight again he was the logical casualty. Furthermore the particular way Kevin was struggling was basically THE worst/most offensive thing you can do in Rick Adelman's eyes -- even if he likes you he is never so animated as when a player looks unsure of what he wants to do on offense. And it really is very hard to find minutes for Mo, Matt & Kevin all at the same time because that's three backups for 2 positions where we already have major minute starters ahead of them. Throw in Bibby being one of the leading scorers in the league over the last few weeks, and the backup PG minutes are all but wiped out too.

Of course what Kevin needs again is a nice blowout for us so he can get back on the court and restore confidence from the coaching staff. But we don't do blowouts unfortunately.
 
players develop their OWN style and if it's worked for them, I got no problem with it
Click to expand...

If Kevin were a shooter, I would say the same thing. From a fundamentals standpoint, both Peja and Reggie Miller have poor form on their shots. Miller's release would be a nightmare for a high school coach, but it works for him.

But Martin isn't a shooter. He is a scorer, and there is a difference. Martin can score in a variety of ways and is adept at attacking the basket. If he had a really consistent outside shot it would make that ability even more effective.

Finally, I think Martin's shot mechanics make it hard for him to shoot effectively on pull up jumpers, similar to the problem Doug Christie had. DC basically had to catch and shoot or drive all the way to the hoop, which kept him from developing a midrange game. Martin's problem isn't nearly as severe, but I'd still like to see him develop a quicker motion, better ball placement and a less awkward release.
 
funkykingston said:
Finally, I think Martin's shot mechanics make it hard for him to shoot effectively on pull up jumpers,
Click to expand...

You know I hadn't really thought of that in all my pleading for him to develop an in between game, but there may be something to what you are saying there.
 
Being rookie on a veteran team with lots of success is hard. When such team struggles - it is up to the veterans to do their job.

RA - does not play more than 9 man and 9th being House for reasons only known to him.
Martin is a 10th man in the rotation at the moment.
 
Same reason Adelman likes to start his starters after a long abscence rather than getting them off the bench to "warm up". I don't like his style. Not an Adelman fan.
 
I think it is unrealistic to say that Bibby can be replaced effectively by Kevin. Despite his defensive inconsistency, Mike Bibby has BEEN the Kings lately, triple-doubles for Webber or not. These two great players are indespensible to the Kings. Secondly, Matt Barnes is bigger and stronger than Special K, and badly needed for defense at times. How do you take minutes from Mo Evans. The man was also indespensible last night.

Kevin is just in a tough place right now. However, with the Kings' history of key injuries, if I were Kevin I would stay in top shape. He needs to stay ready even if he sees no light at the end of the tunnel. His day will come. Unfortunately, maybe like Hedo and Gerald.
 
it seems to me like Matt and Kevin have been sharing minutes...like when Matt plays well he's gonna see the majority of the minutes and you aren't gonna see Kevin...UNTIL.....Matt screws up and then...in comes Kevin again...and Kevin will all the PT until...he screws up and then we'll see Matt again

unless Cat or Mike is out...i really don't see him getting much minutes otherwise....PLUS ive noticed that he plays more when they are at home and he is also one of those guys who plays BETTER when they are at home ie: DSong

but im pulling for Kevin...to quote a New Kids on the Block song he's got the "right stuff"....
 
Lots of good points brought up here.

My point was not to utterly replace the Kings' subs that have been getting regular minutes, but rather, especially when defense is lacking at the guard slots, to bring him in as a change of pace for a few minutes in an attempt to get the opponent to try something different.

Kevin is not a PG, but I feel strongly that he would be better than Bibby on most nights on defense, and to me, that should earn him a few minutes of run.

House has had really only one decent game since Kevin went to the bench again, so once more, I don't see why RA doesn't give Kev a bit of playing time.

There is no argument about Evans and the need to have him on the floor as the primary replacement at this time for Mobley.

Overall, IMHO it would be good to have Martin and Bradley, too, see the light of the court every now and then, as game situations allow, for down the road.

Realistically, expanding the rotation beyond 9 players just ain't RA's style, so I guess this whole thing is just peeing in the breeze.
 
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well when you have a coach that likes to play his stars so much, other players dont get the minutes they should. nothing against adelman he just needs to play his bench more. i think i seen one game where mike bibby had more minutes than the whole bench.
 
Well the kid should be getting more minutes knowing now Peja will be resting till after the all star break with his hammy injury.



Well hopefully SK will get the minutes.
 
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