http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/04/16/integrating-martin-key-to-rockets-lifting-off-next-season/ This is the same article with the "Rockets interested in Brad Miller" info, but it's really about Kevin Martin. A lot of insight on how Martin ended up parting ways with the Kings. Sam Amick was a writer for the Sacramento Bee, so he presumably knows his Kings news. Like, for example-- It seems Mark Cuban thought highly of Martin, but prematurely shot his wad of trade chips on Hayward and Butler. Cuban said essentially the same thing quote here at the MIT conference. Here's some juicy "behind the scenes" Kings stuff: And a behind the scenes photo of Kevin Martin: Spoiler And a quote from Shane Battier, who has, apparently, appointed himself as the village elder charged with passing down the "Rockets Way" to newbies: Though he did say... Now sure how defensive minded the current Rockets group is. Only a few guys left even from last season's Artest team. They got tough guys.... maybe they are defensive "minded" but not so much defensively "effective."
Sam has apparently never watched Budinger play. I would have mentioned Ariza and Lowry before mentioning Budinger for a gritty, defensive-minded spirit.
Though you can't disagree that Chase got progressively better defensively as the season went on. By the end I could definitely see Shane's leadership in Chase's defense.
He doesn't doesn't single out Bud as the defensive stopper, he's basically saying Bud is the best player off the bench He attributes the "gritty, defensive-minded spirit" to the entire "reserve unit." He's picking out Budinger as basically being the most surprising and promising after Brooks, Shane and Luis He does say Battier will be a starter along with Scola and Brooks but obviously we don't know if that'll be the case next year and our defense has been lagging esp by the new players on the bench but w/e there's always inaccuracies in articles
You guys are nitpicking at such irrelevant stuff. The point was to give some insight into Martin which the article did. Anyway interesting stuff to read.
Martin is garbage and is soft. Bad pickup. I thought it at the time and I am totally convinced of it now. He should be trade bait this summer. Maybe we can dupe someone else into taking him based on his "statistical power".
It's funny the fans gave KM the nickname "Face" as in face of the franchise... sounds like a familiar story.
I hated the guy comming here, but love his passing and ability to make the right choices now. I hope he will be durable..
I like Martin, but the way he gets to the line is definitely soft. He's not getting to the line by strong penetration like Iverson or Kobe. Any little graze or tap by the defender, and he collapses to the ground like Reggie Miller.
The only knock on Martin, besides his D, is that he doesn't have much of a presence out on the court. He scores consistently through the game, but he doesn't tend to take over the game for half a quarter at a time like a lot of other good players do.
I don't exactly think I would mind having prime Reggie on this team. Doubt it, but maybe Martin can become a little better as he meshes in with the team.
That's were I'm hoping Brooks comes in next year. He was inconsistent this year, but hopefully next year he will be a much better player. Kevin Martin definitely tends to be passive during important moments of the game.
Rarely does he collapse to the ground. He would just needlessly injure himself, and he knows it. He'll go in and initiate light contact, make some jerky movements with his lanky limbs, and try to complete the shot. Its up to the refs to call it or not.
