I still don't understand the relevance of the argument. Yes, the team was abysmal last year. Yes, Martin was on the team last year - but so were a number of other guys who have been replaced by nice new shiny models. And guys like Beno, who pretty much played like dog poop last year, are stepping up and giving 100%...
We've got a new coach, and it's clear there's a new attitude. So why would you continually bring up the record as proof that Martin isn't any good??????
Bottom line, I think what frustrates me the most is the idea being put forth that there's no use waiting to see how Evans and Martin will play together.
But, having said all that, I'm fully aware this is an argument I not only will not win but that will end up getting me frustrated at what I perceive to be unfair comments about Martin. I'm at least content in the knowledge that regardless of what's said here, the organization IS anxious to see how their games complement each other and since they're the ones whose opinions actually determine which players are on the team, the rest is just speculation and heated discourse on our board.
I am excited to see how Martin and Evans play together! I can see how they can complement each other. Martin is a better outside shooter, but he can slash to the basket. Evans has become one of the best slashers in basketball in a very short period of time, and his outside shot is coming around. Both players warrant a double team. CAN YOU double team both players on the wings? That is gonna make for a lot of scrambling by bigs trying to show on the wing.
If you can get the defense to start moving, other players will get open shots as well. I can see Evans driving and kicking it out to Martin for a WIDE OPEN three! Martin guarded tightly makes 3's at a pretty good clip. How many 3's will he make WIDE OPEN? I can only imagine. And if they stay on Martin, and allow Evans defender to go one on one with Tyreke, how many layups is 'Reke gonna have?
If the defense is scrambling to cover and double both Martin and Evans, there are gonna be players open. Casspi has shown he can hit a wide open jumper. Noc has hit a wide open shot or 2. JT one on one inside will have more room to operate if one of the bigs is out trying to cut off 'Reke or Martin from driving right to the basket! Yea, I can see a lot of ways that 'Reke and Martin can complement each other down the stretch of games.
All these "Trade Martin" folks need to settle down. First off, the Kings CANT trade Martin until he has played for at least a month successfully without getting injured again. NO TEAM will trade for Martin till he can prove he can make it more than a month without getting hurt. He already has a big tag that says fragile hanging from his neck. I don't think Martin is fragile. I think many of the injuries have been of the freakish type. I mean, a broken wrist on the non shooting hand? That is not a common basketball injury.
Secondly, Petrie has a plan. I am SURE that plan involves Martin. I am sure he and Westphal have discussed all the different ways they are going to be able to use Martin and Evans together to give teams NIGHTMARES thinking about how they are gonna stop TWO wing players who can shoot and drive! Look at how Rip Hamilton and Tashaun Prince were able to work together? I am not saying that Martin/Evans are as great as those 2 were, but you can see how 2 wing players can dominate a game and make it hard for teams to defend a two headed monster from the back court. I bet that Westphal is just GIDDY thinking up ways to utilize Martin and Evans together to drive and kick and move to keep the other teams defense moving and to get open shots for everyone. I think players like Casspi and Nocconi will benefit greatly from a Martin/Evans combo, because if the other team is doubling both Martin AND Evans, someone is gonna be wide open. Casspi and Noc might get 20-25 points a night shooting wide open jumpers! The possibilities are endless!!
Anyway, the trade deadline isn't until February, so there is no rush to change the chemistry. The chemistry so far has been outstanding! There is no reason to throw a monkey wrench into the machine! Lets see how this all comes together. It's like Geoff Petrie is a Master Chef! He and Paul Westphal are cooking up a gourmet meal that has not been fully prepared. When all the courses of the meal are complete, it might turn out to be a fantastic feast! We need to see how the whole team plays together. How does the dynamic change when you add players like Kevin Martin and Francisco Garcia to the team. I am excited to see how it all looks when the whole team is healthy and playing well.
Geoff Petrie and Paul Westphal have a plan in their minds about how the team is going to look when the entire team is together and in sync. Sure we could use another center to help out in the rotation, but other than that, this team has a lot of pieces in place. I think the Kings are one draft and one off season of free agency away from becoming a very competitive team. The West has been dominated by the Fakers for so long now. Teams like Portland and now even Sacramento are young and up and coming teams that are ready to move in once Kobe and the Fakers start to get old and fade. Petrie and now Westphal are not just planning for the moment, they are building for the future. It is fascinating to watch Petrie work his magic. I cant wait to see ALL the Kings men playing and succeeding on the court. It may turn out that the Kings have more pieces than we originally thought. They may only be a player or 2 away from challenging the Fakers for the West !!!!
As to the origin, the first time I ever heard it was from the movie. However, its possible that they stole it for somewhere else.
