10 free throw attempts a game from a 190 pound man who doesn't look like he should be in the NBA is soft?
The day we got K-Mart I said he is an efficient scorer. I said he wasn't a good defender, and he would pay nice dividends as long as he doesn't sustain a major injury. The OP is acting like he said something insightful. Everyone on this board misses Landry in the post, but the only way the Rockets can balance Battier's lack of offense is by putting a great scoring wing next to him.
I've always thought KMart was an above average role player. I was kind of excited when he came here mainly because anything is better than MerGady at that point. I didn't know he was this bad on defense though. He'd make like a ninja and disappear. But he'd make a pretty decent robin if we do get a superstar.
Not even close! Reggie Miller had that cut your heart out mentality. Miller was a closer, Martin has not shown to be as such.
garnett in his prime was way more atletic than kevin martin alltime. hell, garnett now with his 2 inch vetical is still more athletic than kevin martin.
he's just too thin and light that he bounces off of people.. anyone on here who has played some high school ball or even just pick up games knows how you just love going against that guy smaller than you cause its easy to just back him down or play a bit physical .. that guy is kevin martin in the NBA.. he's just not built for defense..
Calling him a Robin is giving him too much props. Out of a super hero group I would have to say he would be Invisible Woman/Susan "Sue" Storm from the fantastic four because the way he disappears late in games. And that what he is basically on defense. Even if we had a superstar it won't help us unless he comes off the bench cause his defense stinks. Kevin Martin
In all respect, just cause he doesn't have the best build for defense doesnt mean he has to stink at it. Look at John Stockton, considered by most as one of the best defenders in NBA history, was only 6'1 weighing 170. If I were playing a high school game and he was guarding me, based on the looks of him, I would've tried to use his smaller self to my advantage. Or even Gary Payton, who also was a great defender. But these guys gave 110%, which it doesn't look like Martin gives sometimes. So just cause you aren't built for defense doesn't mean you can't stay in front of your guy and make an effort to.
Stockton wasn't a particularly good 1-on-1 defender either, and I wouldn't say he was too slight/undersized for his position. To defend you need 3 things -- some physical ability, a good defensive mind, and a desire to defend. Martin's lacking big-time in all three, it seems to me.
To continue my point, I realize Stockton played dirty, but hey, that's part of defense. If Martin needs to get tough and play very physical to show defensive improvement, then that's what he's got to do. He needs to play that type of D where if Adelman were to ask him what flavor of gum his man was chewing, he'd know. And yes, I made a reference to the greatest basketball movie of all time. :grin:
Very true, but I felt like he gave all his effort into it, making him at least a serviceable defender. I just haven't seen that in Martin so far. Totally in agreement with you on the 3 things.
Les wanted an offensive minded team. The Rockets have been rebuilding the team since the 09 playoffs. For those of you thinking Adelman will be gone after this season, it's unlikely. Les has invested too much into players that fit into Rick's offense (Miller, Martin, Lowry, and soon Brooks). Once Shane's contract (and Jeffries) is off the books, the Rockets will use that money to bring in another wing who can score. Hopefully the Rockets can manage this by the trade deadline to see if Yao can fit in. Martin is Robin. Iguadola would be a nice Batman. Battier is Cat Woman.
Martin is a piece. I wouldn't call him a role player per se, in the right environment he's a pretty good second option. On offense most people's primary knock on him is he disappears in the 4rth quarter, but that's to be expected when the starting lineup has three zeroes on offense (battier, lowry, hayes). Scola and Martin are not enough offensive options when lowry can't shoot from outside and battier can't make open shots. the end result is scola and martin tire out by the 4rth. The main issue is defense. I don't know why Kevin Martin doesn't even put out the effort to defend...even after he talked about improving his defense in the offseason. Maybe its because just being the offensive option is taking all his energy.The thing is at his height (6'7?) he should be an average defender at the very least. He plays the SG position, and unlike the SF position where you have stephen jacksons, ron artests and carmelo anthonys, the sg position usually have smaller but quicker guys like Ray Allen and Monta ellis.
I am wondering what the board thinks about Martin's ball handling. From what I see, he is terrible (not Ariza-terrible but still). He can bring the ball up court safely, but if you ask him to dribble and create, he is just bad. I know that his not his thing, but when you don't have that skill, you are pretty much doomed in the fourth quarter.
Miller would make shots with two hands in his face Martin has to shot with 7 feet away from his defender :grin: :grin: Plus Miller plays above average defense Martin plays no defense
I'm not sure why you think km has bad handling skills. In fact his game is all about him massaging the ball and doing something with it. If he was a catch and shoot kinda' guy he wouldn't have had a problem co-existing with Tyreke Evans since Evans used to drive and dish a lot.
Martin has to score every time down the court just to make up for the amount of points he gives up. i've never seen someone with a worse defensive stance than kevin martin!
OP, I've reduced your post to those statements possibly resulting from your Sacto viewing experience. Thanks, but, man, it's not that new.
