http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/news/stories/20050113/localsports/1863475.html
(Maybe the writer didnt get the memo about Kevin not being K-Mart. At least Koz is spreading the word about Special K!!! -- VF21)
Zanesville's K-Mart has career night
Kevin Martin tallies 17 points in Kings win
By Sam Blackburn, sblackburn@nncogannett.com
Sports Writer
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The more Kevin Martin plays for the Sacramento Kings, the better he plays.
Martin, from Zanesville, scored 17 points, grabbed six rebounds and sank 9 of 11 free throws as the Kings outlasted Denver 109-100 at ARCO Arena Tuesday night.
The 6-7 shooting guard saw his most substantial playing time to date against the Nuggets, playing 18 minutes backing up Maurice Evans.
Evans started in place of veteran Doug Christie, recently traded to Orlando for Cuttino Mobley and Michael Bradley. Neither Mobley nor Bradley were available because they had yet to take physicals, leaving the Kings with nine available players. The Kings were also without Chris Webber, who sat out with an injury.
Forced into action early, Martin didn't disappoint. The rookie from Western Carolina scored 11 of his points in the second quarter, gliding to the basket with relative ease against the likes of Andre Miller and Carmelo Anthony, as his 11 free throw attempts in such limited action would attest.
"I got some minutes and that's the main thing," Martin said in a phone interview Wednesday evening. "As I go along and get more minutes ... I'm just getting a feel for how my teammates play."
Although his scoring marked a career-high, it wasn't Martin's first big game. He also had a solid game at San Antonio, which featured a behind-the-back pass on the fast break that bounced between the legs of Brent Barry and found Darius Songalia for a layup. The play marked his first career ESPN highlight.
On Tuesday, there were two -- a left-handed layup in transition and a bounce pass to Peja Stojakovic that resulted in a 3-pointer.
"One thing I learned from the San Antonio game is once I start being more aggressive when I am out there, I'm going to be fine," Martin said. "It's just a matter of getting on the floor. I'm going to have fun with it either way."
Which leaves Martin wondering what will happen when Mobley arrives. Mobley comes to the Kings with the reputation of scoring in bunches, and happens to play the same position.
"When the opportunity comes, I just have to take advantage of it," Martin said. "I don't know how (the trade) will affect my playing time. One night I won't play much at all and the next night I might get 15 minutes. It's like being on a yo-yo."
Martin also commended Christie for helping him get acclimated with the pro game -- on and off the court.
"He always told me to not take anything for granted and play (my) game," Martin said. "Off the court, be a people person because they are the main people in the business.
"It's kinda sad because he has been such a big part of Sacramento," Martin added. "But you realize this is a business, and you could be here one day and gone the next, so we have to move on." In Martin's case, it appears the only way is up.
(Maybe the writer didnt get the memo about Kevin not being K-Mart. At least Koz is spreading the word about Special K!!! -- VF21)
Zanesville's K-Mart has career night
Kevin Martin tallies 17 points in Kings win
By Sam Blackburn, sblackburn@nncogannett.com
Sports Writer
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The more Kevin Martin plays for the Sacramento Kings, the better he plays.
Martin, from Zanesville, scored 17 points, grabbed six rebounds and sank 9 of 11 free throws as the Kings outlasted Denver 109-100 at ARCO Arena Tuesday night.
The 6-7 shooting guard saw his most substantial playing time to date against the Nuggets, playing 18 minutes backing up Maurice Evans.
Evans started in place of veteran Doug Christie, recently traded to Orlando for Cuttino Mobley and Michael Bradley. Neither Mobley nor Bradley were available because they had yet to take physicals, leaving the Kings with nine available players. The Kings were also without Chris Webber, who sat out with an injury.
Forced into action early, Martin didn't disappoint. The rookie from Western Carolina scored 11 of his points in the second quarter, gliding to the basket with relative ease against the likes of Andre Miller and Carmelo Anthony, as his 11 free throw attempts in such limited action would attest.
"I got some minutes and that's the main thing," Martin said in a phone interview Wednesday evening. "As I go along and get more minutes ... I'm just getting a feel for how my teammates play."
Although his scoring marked a career-high, it wasn't Martin's first big game. He also had a solid game at San Antonio, which featured a behind-the-back pass on the fast break that bounced between the legs of Brent Barry and found Darius Songalia for a layup. The play marked his first career ESPN highlight.
On Tuesday, there were two -- a left-handed layup in transition and a bounce pass to Peja Stojakovic that resulted in a 3-pointer.
"One thing I learned from the San Antonio game is once I start being more aggressive when I am out there, I'm going to be fine," Martin said. "It's just a matter of getting on the floor. I'm going to have fun with it either way."
Which leaves Martin wondering what will happen when Mobley arrives. Mobley comes to the Kings with the reputation of scoring in bunches, and happens to play the same position.
"When the opportunity comes, I just have to take advantage of it," Martin said. "I don't know how (the trade) will affect my playing time. One night I won't play much at all and the next night I might get 15 minutes. It's like being on a yo-yo."
Martin also commended Christie for helping him get acclimated with the pro game -- on and off the court.
"He always told me to not take anything for granted and play (my) game," Martin said. "Off the court, be a people person because they are the main people in the business.
"It's kinda sad because he has been such a big part of Sacramento," Martin added. "But you realize this is a business, and you could be here one day and gone the next, so we have to move on." In Martin's case, it appears the only way is up.
Sent him the pic too.
