Update to Amicks blog on Martin

[DocHolliday]

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sports/kings/archives/2010/02/lost-on-the-cut.html#more

Interesting interesting update on Amick's blog today. One of his stories had a very important point edited out of his original story on Martin. If you go to the blogs mian page you will see the explanation. This is the directly to the article with the pieces in italics being the pieces that were taken out.

Basically Martin wanted out, and if the Kings hadn't traded him, it might have boiled over this summer with a trade request by his agent. I had caught wind that this may have been brewing.

Interesting read.

 

[vistacruza_kings]

so Kevin really wasnt sold out to be part of this team. it was just a put on. Kevin never had any long term plans with this team, all these years he was just showcasing himself for a better team later down the road.

well F U Kevin

as much as it pains me, Brick you were right about Kevin Martin

 

[DocHolliday]

I don't know if it was all these years, I think it was described that as of this year and seeing how the team was playing when he was out, and more than that seeing that literally the game plans and focus in the offense was changing.

He wasn't going to be the golden boy, he wasn't going to be the "main" focus, and I don't think he liked that.

He made a comment when on with Koz yesterday. He said he really liked Tyreke, he wanted Tyreke (which the article describes)...then Koz said something about Tyrekes scoring and Kevin said yea if he thought he was going to average 20 ppg, and I was going to average 30 ppg (chuckle) that just wasn't going to happen. It can't work like that.

If the interview is up on KHTK, or on Koz's page of KHTK listen back and you'll hear it.

 

[Bricklayer]

Ok, a fairly minor point that interests me there is the implication that Kevin did NOT want Evans, and wanted Rubio instead. Because that's exactly the opposite of the spin that was pitched for months here. Or maybe that was just his agent speaking -- given that he's the same slime that represented Rubio.

The rest does not horrendously surprise me. I've been saying for months that Kevin and Reke would not work, could not work. Furthermore I've been saying that Kevin himself might be happier elsewhere. Meanwhile the front office was concerned about his refusal to pay defense and toughness. And according to this column Kevin saw the same problems, saw the same things with the kids developing and felt his presence as an intruder. His agent saw it the same way. A whole hell of a lot of people saw it the same way. Apparently in the end so did Geoff.

Man did I take a lot of **** over making those same points for the past few months.

 

[piksi]

Kevin is not a King anymore and therefore not worth wasting anymore thoughts of what happened.

 

[Luv4Kings]

Ok, a fairly minor point that interests me there is the implication that Kevin did NOT want Evans, and wanted Rubio instead. Because that's exactly the opposite of the spin that was pitched for months here. Or maybe that was just his agent speaking -- given that he's the same slime that represented Rubio.

The rest does not horrendously surprise me. I've been saying for months that Kevin and Reke would not work, could not work. Furthermore I've been saying that Kevin himself might be happier elsewhere. Meanwhile the front office was concerned about his refusal to pay defense and toughness. And according to this column Kevin saw the same problems, saw the same things with the kids developing and felt his presence as an intruder. His agent saw it the same way. A whole hell of a lot of people saw it the same way. Apparently in the end so did Geoff.

Man did I take a lot of **** over making those same points for the past few months.

Amick said that Martin did indeed want Evans. "As a relevant side note - yet one that wasn't in the story - Martin truly did want Evans back in June when the Kings drafted and never seemed to high on Rubio and all the mania that surrounded him."

He doesn't specify, but I believe Martin didn't change agents until after the draft was over.

 

[MizzouKing]

Attitude

I don't know if it was all these years, I think it was described that as of this year and seeing how the team was playing when he was out, and more than that seeing that literally the game plans and focus in the offense was changing.

He wasn't going to be the golden boy, he wasn't going to be the "main" focus, and I don't think he liked that.

That's a lot of what I took from it also, but I think it was more a recognition of the cold hard truth and less about selfishness. I think Kevin had a lot of loyalty to the Kings fans and organization, but as he got older he also saw very plainly that the organization views it as a business. When they viewed him as the Golden Boy, it was fun. When they changed their minds, he had to consider his own interests because no one in the organization was going to do that...that's not how businesses operate.

IMHO, the Kings would have gained a lot by showing some personal loyalty to the old guard from the glory days, instead of trading them in a futile attempt to stay in contention. Loyalty and a sense of family might have been a serious intangible for a player to consider when weighing whether they wanted to come to Sacramento. And would we really have been any farther along than we are now?

 

[LWP777]

I don't know if it was all these years, I think it was described that as of this year and seeing how the team was playing when he was out, and more than that seeing that literally the game plans and focus in the offense was changing.

He wasn't going to be the golden boy, he wasn't going to be the "main" focus, and I don't think he liked that.

He made a comment when on with Koz yesterday. He said he really liked Tyreke, he wanted Tyreke (which the article describes)...then Koz said something about Tyrekes scoring and Kevin said yea if he thought he was going to average 20 ppg, and I was going to average 30 ppg (chuckle) that just wasn't going to happen. It can't work like that.

If the interview is up on KHTK, or on Koz's page of KHTK listen back and you'll hear it.

To me this is the heart of why I'm grateful that Kevin Martin is now a Houston Rocket. I think he was more concerned with his precious statistics rather than doing the right thing for the team.

 

[Rookie]

Man did I take a lot of **** over making those same points for the past few months.

It's all good now that you're right..otherwise we would have to hunt you down.

 

[kennadog]

Amick said that Martin did indeed want Evans. "As a relevant side note - yet one that wasn't in the story - Martin truly did want Evans back in June when the Kings drafted and never seemed to high on Rubio and all the mania that surrounded him."

He doesn't specify, but I believe Martin didn't change agents until after the draft was over.

Again? I know he had to change agents when his old agent, Jason Levian (sp?), was hired by the Kings as Assistant GM.

 

[DocHolliday]

To me this is the heart of why I'm grateful that Kevin Martin is now a Houston Rocket. I think he was more concerned with his precious statistics rather than doing the right thing for the team.

haha I get what you're saying, but I think his real point in saying that was we cant' both score like that. It wasn't going to work. He was taking some listener questions by text from Koz, and he really was doing the political way of answering them, but not answering them, then re-routing his answer to something else positive.

So, I think that was his way of saying that we both can't score that much, it can't work like that.

 

[JB_kings]

Ice up those knees Shane Battier. You will be defending for two now.

 

[Luv4Kings]

Again? I know he had to change agents when his old agent, Jason Levian (sp?), was hired by the Kings as Assistant GM.

I remember reading when Martin picked Fegan and I believe it was right before the season started. The article also reads that when Martin picked him, Petire was already upset with the guy for the way he handled the Rubio draft, which puts Martin picking Fegan AFTER the draft.

Amick makes it clear that Martin wanted Evans because of Evans sheer talent. It wasn't until Martin was injured and saw the way of things, that Evans needs the ball most of the time, that Martin's game wasn't going to blend in well.

 

[Luv4Kings]

It's all good now that you're right..otherwise we would have to hunt you down.

Even after the Amick quote shows he was quite wrong? Interesting.

 

[Warhawk]

ice up those knees shane battier. You will be defending for two now.

I think you win the thread.

 

[Bricklayer]

Even after the Amick quote shows he was quite wrong? Interesting.

While I know this must be a dark day for you, don't make it worse by attempting to continue a foolish feud. The little Sam quote you mentioned has nothing to do with anything I have ever advocated around here. While hopping desperately hoping to find some way to discredit me, I suspect you inadvertenly failed to accurately read my post. Sam's article here seemed to imply that Martin may not have been in favor of Evans...which would have been as much of a surprise to me as anyone.

 

[Luv4Kings]

While I know this must be a dark day for you, don't make it worse by attempting to continue a foolish feud. The little Sam quote you mentioned has nothing to do with anything I have ever advocated around here. While hopping desperately hoping to find some way to discredit me, I suspect you inadvertenly failed to accurately read my post. Sam's article here seemed to imply that Martin may not have been in favor of Evans...which would have been as much of a surprise to me as anyone.

I'm not interested in foolish feuds. I'm simply pointing out that Amick clearly stated that Martin was in favor of Evans. Clearly.

You can read it for yourself, or not. I honestly don't care what you believe. But I figured since Amick was so clear on that, I'd just mention it.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

While I know this must be a dark day for you, don't make it worse by attempting to continue a foolish feud. The little Sam quote you mentioned has nothing to do with anything I have ever advocated around here. While hopping desperately hoping to find some way to discredit me, I suspect you inadvertenly failed to accurately read my post. Sam's article here seemed to imply that Martin may not have been in favor of Evans...which would have been as much of a surprise to me as anyone.

Me as well. While branded a Kevin hater this past season, I've always been willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and believed his good little soldier routine even if I thought that he may struggle with it internally. But it's clear that he got exactly what he wanted here which is why he is all smiles.

 

[Luv4Kings]

Also, I have no idea why you think it would be a "dark day" for me. I'm excited to see how Landry works out and if not, who Petrie finds this summer.

I defend players when I think people are unfairly characterizing them to support some opinion they want to build. I prefer the truth. And I'll do it for any player at any time.

 

[Luv4Kings]

Me as well. While branded a Kevin hater this past season, I've always been willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and believed his good little soldier routine even if I thought that he may struggle with it internally. But it's clear that he got exactly what he wanted here which is why he is all smiles.

I believe it is certainly clear that Kevin saw what was happening early on and that he wouldn't fit well. I think he saw that even while Petrie was touting this great backcourt experiment.

Some could say Martin is being selfish, others could say that he's being unselfish because he doesn't want to take time away from the younger players. I think the most reasonable assumption would be that Martin is as human as anyone. He wants the best environment for his own future and I think he's found it in Houston. We'd all make that choice.

 

[Kingstime]

KMart is a good dude if he really believes he's the man he can go and be the man nothing wrong with that. This just wasn't his team though Tyreke has shown that he is the guy around these parts.

I wish Kevin luck I know he can shine in Houston, if he really wanted out well he got his wish.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

I believe it is certainly clear that Kevin saw what was happening early on and that he wouldn't fit well. I think he saw that even while Petrie was touting this great backcourt experiment.

Some could say Martin is being selfish, others could say that he's being unselfish because he doesn't want to take time away from the younger players. I think the most reasonable assumption would be that Martin is as human as anyone. He wants the best environment for his own future and I think he's found it in Houston. We'd all make that choice.

Sure, I have no problem with that, largely because I didn't spend the past 4+ months arguing that we owed Kevin a spot on this team or that Kevin is so loyal to the organization that he'd sacrifice any of his personal feelings and adapt his game to suit whatever role was needed to make it work. Instead I stated that it would be mutually beneficial for us to move on and was branded a hater for stating so. I wish Kevin the best, really I do.

 

[VF21]

Ok, a fairly minor point that interests me there is the implication that Kevin did NOT want Evans, and wanted Rubio instead. Because that's exactly the opposite of the spin that was pitched for months here. Or maybe that was just his agent speaking -- given that he's the same slime that represented Rubio.

Well, unless Kevin was out and out lying to his family and friends, he
DID want Evans and said so repeatedly as early as during pre-draft workouts.

As for the rest, it's over and done.

 

[VF21]

While I know this must be a dark day for you, don't make it worse by attempting to continue a foolish feud. The little Sam quote you mentioned has nothing to do with anything I have ever advocated around here. While hopping desperately hoping to find some way to discredit me, I suspect you inadvertenly failed to accurately read my post. Sam's article here seemed to imply that Martin may not have been in favor of Evans...which would have been as much of a surprise to me as anyone.

Please see my most recent post. Martin DID want Evans. He told his family - including the three members with whom I was in regular contact - and he told some other people. He was at the practice facility (outside the gym itself in the media room) when Evans tried out and was very excited about the possibility of playing with him. He never supported Ricky Rubio's cause in any way.

That's the truth of the matter and I believe my sources are much better than Sam Amick's in this singular situation.

 

[sidney]

Please see my most recent post. Martin DID want Evans. He told his family - including the three members with whom I was in regular contact - and he told some other people. He was at the practice facility (outside the gym itself in the media room) when Evans tried out and was very excited about the possibility of playing with him. He never supported Ricky Rubio's cause in any way.

That's the truth of the matter and I believe my sources are much better than Sam Amick's in this singular situation.

Thx for sharing. I'm curious though if you know why he didn't want Rubio here. I always though a guy like Rubio would be perfect getting Kevin the ball where he wanted it and finding him when he was slashing.

 

[pshn80]

Ok, a fairly minor point that interests me there is the implication that Kevin did NOT want Evans, and wanted Rubio instead. Because that's exactly the opposite of the spin that was pitched for months here. Or maybe that was just his agent speaking -- given that he's the same slime that represented Rubio.

The rest does not horrendously surprise me. I've been saying for months that Kevin and Reke would not work, could not work. Furthermore I've been saying that Kevin himself might be happier elsewhere. Meanwhile the front office was concerned about his refusal to pay defense and toughness. And according to this column Kevin saw the same problems, saw the same things with the kids developing and felt his presence as an intruder. His agent saw it the same way. A whole hell of a lot of people saw it the same way. Apparently in the end so did Geoff.

Man did I take a lot of **** over making those same points for the past few months.

I saw it but admittedly I didn't recognize it as you did. You were right and you did take a lot of guff for it. Somehow I don't think it fazed you much. I always listen with interest.

 

[Rookie]

Even after the Amick quote shows he was quite wrong? Interesting.

I didn't read the quote.

I was implying on the Evans/KMart combo. Earlier I defended the combo but now I doubt it would work. Brick always opposed the combo therefor he was right.

However IMO it didn't work not because of the way they play but more of KMart can't handle playing behind Evans. But whatever, Brick was correct.

 

[Spike]

Thx for sharing. I'm curious though if you know why he didn't want Rubio here. I always though a guy like Rubio would be perfect getting Kevin the ball where he wanted it and finding him when he was slashing.

Not speaking for VF, who doesn't need to divulge any personal info, but I'm sure he wanted Evans for the same reason some people here wanted Evans - he's the better athletic talent. At this stage, you want the best talent out there. Personally, I wanted Rubio, because I thought about fit over talent. But that's neither here nor there. I'm happy with the draft, and I'm happy with the moves. We'll see what the summer holds; I think it's time to move on.

 

[SacTownKid]

This is utter BS. I don't believe it, Kevin wanted Evans.

 

[Luv4Kings]

I didn't read the quote.

I was implying on the Evans/KMart combo. Earlier I defended the combo but now I doubt it would work. Brick always opposed the combo therefor he was right.

However IMO it didn't work not because of the way they play but more of KMart can't handle playing behind Evans. But whatever, Brick was correct.

The combo... Petrie said it was going to be great. Westphaul hoped it would work. I think most fans hoped it would work but had a wait-and-see attitude. Probably some fans were sure it would work. Some fans, (some who had an irrational hated of Martin) hoped and prayed it wouldn't work.

So when it didn't work... yeah. Someone was right. Petrie was wrong. Westphaul was wrong. Some fans were wrong. The rest of us are just disappointed but are moving on.