SLAM 2011 Top 50: Martin at #45

RV6 · Sep 24, 2011

http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/slamonline-top-50/2011/09/top-50-kevin-martin-no-45/

“And you can check my stats cuz worldwide they attesting to that
So listen you can probably learn a lesson perhaps
How I’m like Bobby DeNiro, Joe Pesc and them cats
Am I the unsung hero? oh yes if you asking anybody that’s aware of the classics”

The Roots – “Rising Up”

I have a confession to make. I’m sick as hell of using the words “underrated” and “efficient” when it comes to Kevin Martin. If Martin had a rapper equivalent, he’d have to be Black Thought from The Roots. Year in, year out, he’s going to knock the tracks out while other artists get the run.

NBA fans and coaches obviously don’t completely recognize his talent yet, which is insane given that he has been a top scorer for the last six seasons, averaging over 20 points for five of the six. Since most awards are named after players, or whatever corporation decides to shell out the most cash, my suggestion is that we create the “Nike Kevin Martin Award,” given out each year to the player who deserves to be on the All-Star team but can’t make it because he’s not flashy enough or voters are too ignorant of his ability. In many ways, it almost seems destined that Martin would play for the Houston Rockets, the ultimate “the sum is greater than its parts” team.

Martin played last season without another star by his side and helped carry the load. He also threw a figurative middle finger in the air to critics who call him fragile by playing 80 games.

For statheads ready to argue that Martin doesn’t put up big enough numbers, check again:

#9 in points per game
#2 in points per 48 minutes
#1 in free-throws made
#8 in free-throw percentage

Those numbers are exactly why Martin fits so well on the Rockets. He knows how to get his points within the frame of the offense and does so while stopping the clock, killing any momentum the opponent can gain while also keeping his team in the game. It explains part of why Houston was such a damn pesky team to play against last season. But you’d know that if you watched him or Rockets games more often, and I’m not saying that out of spite. Working for a Texas sports radio station and being a Houstonian, there’s enough numbers to show that Houston flies under the radar.

Martin’s free-throw shooting has also proven to be a statistical anomaly, but you don’t have to take my word for it. (Yeah, we took it back Reading Rainbow style, b****es.) Allow me to show you a stat by writer Ian Levy*:

“Over the past 10 seasons the League average FT% has never dropped below 75.2 percent, and never risen above 77.1 percent. Over the course of a player’s career their FT% tends to stay fairly similar as well.

Despite entering the League as a very good free-throw shooter, Martin has seen his FT% rise substantially. He shot 81.7 percent his last season at Western Carolina but just 65.5 percent as an NBA rookie. Even if we dismiss his rookie season as a blip we still see steady improvement. He’s increased his FT% almost every season, and is shooting 89.0 percent from the stripe this year. Even more impressive is he’s done that while substantially increasing his number of attempts. As a rookie, Martin averaged 4.4 FTA/36. This season he’s averaging 9.6.”

Take that, haters.

The biggest hit against Martin throughout his career has been that he doesn’t work on the defensive end. To that, I suggest you go watch tape of Carmelo Anthony. That’s not to say Martin and Anthony belong on the same tier, just that playing good defense is not mutually exclusive with the evaluation of a player’s greatness. Some cats are just meant to be scorers.

By now you either get Martin’s importance or you don’t. He’s spent eight seasons in the Association, more than enough time for you to recognize how good he is. Why he hasn’t made an All-Star team yet is one of the greatest mysteries of all time, right next to why Katy Perry’s last album tied Michael Jackson’s Thriller for most No. 1 singles of one album, because that **** happened also. But keep talking about the flavor of the month, Monta Ellis, or whatever other scorer ESPN latches on to. Martin’s made a career out of flying under the radar. Why should he stop now?
Click to expand...

larsv8 · Sep 24, 2011

Great player, we are lucky to have him.

Rockets Jones · Sep 24, 2011

Martin also gets respect in NBA 2k12, he's in the menu background with other greats of today!! His jumper in the trailer a while ago looks spot on.

tcadriel · Sep 24, 2011

I get it and I'm glad he's here. He is the perfect Morey type player, high value, good numbers and under appreciated.

But where's the whole list of top 50?

RV6 · Sep 24, 2011

tcadriel said: ↑

I get it and I'm glad he's here. He is the perfect Morey type player, high value, good numbers and under appreciated.

But where's the whole list of top 50?
Click to expand...

They are only at 45. Click the link.

gah · Sep 24, 2011

This writer seems to be disoriented, how can he vouch for the Martin award when Martin is only ranked at 45 (8th in his position) doesn't that explain it all?

emcitymisfit · Sep 24, 2011

:moreypic:

Htown's2kFinest · Sep 24, 2011

Rockets Jones said: ↑

Martin also gets respect in NBA 2k12, he's in the menu background with other greats of today!! His jumper in the trailer a while ago looks spot on.
Click to expand...

Which trailer was this? I only seen one trailer with him in it and he wasn't shooting a jumper...

RV6 · Sep 24, 2011

gah said: ↑

This writer seems to be disoriented, how can he vouch for the Martin award when Martin is only ranked at 45 (8th in his position) doesn't that explain it all?
Click to expand...

The point of the award is to give it to underrated players. My guess is this list was voted on by a few, so the writer would probably rank Martin higher.

david_rocket · Sep 24, 2011

I agree, thats why players like Scola, Martin, Lowry, doesnt get in the all-star game, they are not flashy and they are not popular enough to be there.

The All-star game is just a popularity contest.

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SLAM 2011 Top 50: Martin at #45

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