Its really just because conventional wisdom indicates that all good wing players must be like MJ, if you can't score consistently in crunch time then you are overpaid and useless. The reality is that KM is a lot more similar to a big man than your next Kobe/MJ clone. Like a big man, you want him being a top offensive option, because to be quite honest KM's efficiency (TS% 0.601) is comparable to big men, even though big men only score in the post and KM scores anywhere on the floor. I agree for whatever reason Kmart can't really thrive in clutch situations, but if you want a dude for the first 3 quarters of the game then he's your guy. And honestly someone who can score efficiently for 75% of the game is pretty damn amazing if you ask me, if everyone on your team is as elite at scoring as he is you'll be blowing out everyone by the 3rd quarter. As far as his defense goes, I think its been over exaggerated. I don't think his defense is as bad as the average non-super star wing like Tyreke Evans, Demar Derozan and Monta Ellis. Its just people always think the grass is greener on the other side.
You're missing defense, ability to set up his teammates if locked down, fourth quarter offense, and clutch factor. Just minor things really...
I agree with this, the question is: is this something that he can improve upon? I actually think that Martin could have a Zach Randolph type awakening he just needs the right team around him to hide his weaknesses better.
Kevin Martin's regular season statline is almost indistinguishable from Reggie Miller's. Reggie wasn't the best defender either--not as bad as Martin. But what makes Reggie a legend was his ability to elevate his play during the playoffs and become feared during clutch time. His swagger and trashtalking made him even more memorable. These are things Martin hasn't done--but he'll need more of a competitive fire if he's gonna do it.
He is a smaller version of Peja. Great scoring option during regular season unless its the 4th quarter in a tight game. As useful as a bag of peeled potatoes in the playoffs.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/X6ycb7CDcDI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Ummmmmm.....
He has admitted he did not want to be a team's #1 scorer, even though last year we saw he's pretty damn good at it. And nearly 10 free throws a game from a jump shooter? That's incredible. In my opinion he is an All-Star. For whatever reason, Rockets just don't make the team. AB was an All-Star the season before last.
I am not really sure people even watch the games anymore. Seems people just spout off the same nonsense over and over again. Martin is a very simple weapon. He aggressively drives early in the game and gauges how the refs are gonna call the game. If they are giving it too him, he keeps doing it, if they arent, he actually shoots instead trying to draw fouls. At the end of the game, he shoots more rather than trying to get calls because he doesnt wan't the games to come down to a whistle rather than shot. All this dissapears in the 4th, and fades when it gets physical is just basketball rhetoric that doesn't have any meaning. If he drives, gets smashed and there is no foul, then why would he drive again? Odds are the same result. Better to pass it off to a different approach.
First off, I like Kevin Martin as a player but realize that his game is limited. He is efficient- shoots very well, is very quick to either attack the basket or take a shot, great free throw shooter and draws fouls with ease. Overall, he plays smart by choosing the best shot available. What he lacks is very evident - He cannot take over games, his defense is below average, his ability to draw fouls also affects the shots he takes and depends too much on drawing the foul/free throws- this draws concern because it could lead to an injury. Overall, Kevin Martin jsut doesn't have the ability to score at will. Nonetheless, I am happy to having him in our team.
Currently, this team needs Martin. Nuff said. If they are competing of course.(which is what i think they can do)
If he had a force in the paint to take pressure off him, he'd be an allstar. I think he'd be an allstar on Orlando or LA Lakers easily.
Well to be absolutely fair. Peja, in his Sac days, was a beast. Even in 4th quarters, and playoffs. He just.... started missing a lot.
