What is your assessment of Kenyon Martin?

sfernald · Post #1 » by **sfernald** » Fri Feb 3, 2012 11:14 pm

Clippers fan here. Trying to figure out what we got now with Kenyon Martin.

Always remembered that he seemed like a good player and played with a lot of intensity, even on the defensive end which will be a boon for the clippers.

What do you guys think of him? I noticed his numbers were down last season. Was he injured or was it the minutes or is he losing his stuff? Also, do you think he can play center for 10-15 minutes a game?

Thanks for any info.

nugzin2040 · Post #2 » by **nugzin2040** » Fri Feb 3, 2012 11:43 pm

He was injured at the beginning of the season. Played strong for us, post-trade. Still a very good defensive player. Not great on the glass. Plays hard, fires up teammates when they're not breaking into his car. Was his worst year offensively last season, and likely will continue to decline in that regard. Still will be efficient.

Has a decent mid-range jumper, but goes to it too much imo. Still has some hops even after the surgeries, so might fit in well with Lob City. Should be a decent rotational player for the clippers getting 20 minutes a night or so.

Oh, and no I don't see him being able to play center 10-15 minutes a game. Not against teams with good centers at least.

eathb_au · Post #3 » by **eathb_au** » Sat Feb 4, 2012 12:54 am

Good leader, good defender, offensive black hole.

Post #4 » by **corona** » Sat Feb 4, 2012 1:24 am

will give you a decent jumphook once or twice a game. shoots too many 17 foot jumpsuits for his ability...but can make them occasionally. superb hands, tough and savvy defensively...also a vocal defensive leader which is huge. knows all the tricks and usually wont give up an easy 2. not sure how he'll handle being griffins backup and I don't think he can play center much.

youngthegiant · Post #5 » by **youngthegiant** » Sat Feb 4, 2012 1:45 am

eathb_au wrote:Good leader, good defender, offensive black hole.

definitely agree. also this is a new scenario for him. lets see how he responds by coming off the bench. but clippers definitely got a good defensive player.

Maf · Post #6 » by **Maf** » Sat Feb 4, 2012 6:46 am

enough was said. I see him as one of the most underrated defenders in the league. He could teach Blake to defend at least a little. Center? Nah, you'd rather put Evans there. I'm sure you get you 15-20 quality, intensive minutes and about 5 shots you'll hate

sfernald · Post #7 » by **sfernald** » Sat Feb 4, 2012 8:23 am

Maf wrote:enough was said. I see him as one of the most underrated defenders in the league. He could teach Blake to defend at least a little. Center? Nah, you'd rather put Evans there. I'm sure you get you 15-20 quality, intensive minutes and about 5 shots you'll hate

Well, we have Chauncey so we're used to that

Thanks for the analysis. Bummer about the laker game.

Sounds like he has a nice 16-20 foot jumper. Do you think he's quick and agile enough to play some minutes at the 3 with Blake at the 4?

RRFB · Post #8 » by **RRFB** » Sat Feb 4, 2012 1:10 pm

I think he's more capable of playing at the 3 than he is at Center. Assuming he's still in the same shape he was in Denver, he's certainly capable of defending wings for periods of time. I remember Karl using him to defend Kobe late in games with success.

As others said, he's a great defender, one of the best in the league. On offense, he has two moves. The 17ft jumper, and a drive, spin, to a baby jumphook shot. They do go in on occasion, but you don't want him taking more than a few of those shots in a game.

mutumba · Post #9 » by **mutumba** » Sat Feb 4, 2012 11:11 pm

My favorite part about KMart is his grit and intensity. He's one of the few true tough guy's left in the league. If you have a guy like Dirk or Kobe who's lighting you up and you need someone to throw their rhythm off, you can bet KMart will knock them on their a$$ or do something to get under their skin. Some people hate that, but I think its something everything every team needs-- especially come playoff time.

Offensively, he can be frustrating and inconsistent, but he's a good finisher inside and I imagine he'll be getting some pretty high percentage shots playing with CP3. Defensively, I think he swipes at the ball too often, rather than just contesting, which tends to get him into foul trouble, but other than that he's a great 1on1 and team defender. I think he's a fantastic bench addition for a rising contending team like Flop City.

sfernald · Post #10 » by **sfernald** » Sun Feb 12, 2012 10:07 am

Wow, we just love this guy! He plays with heart and is already one of our best defenders. And on his first game he nearly got into a fight defending Blake over a hard foul. I'm amazed he still seems to have hops too. Getting lots of great blocks and dunks with authority. Man, I can't believe you guys don't miss him. You must be loaded in the front court.

nugzin2040 · Post #11 » by **nugzin2040** » Sun Feb 12, 2012 1:48 pm

He's 34. We weren't stupid and were not going to sign him to a long-term deal. He's a good defensive player, and that's about it.

Lol @ starting fights over Blake's flops being a positive attribute.

Post #12 » by **The Rebel** » Sun Feb 12, 2012 7:21 pm

sfernald wrote:Wow, we just love this guy! He plays with heart and is already one of our best defenders. And on his first game he nearly got into a fight defending Blake over a hard foul. I'm amazed he still seems to have hops too. Getting lots of great blocks and dunks with authority. Man, I can't believe you guys don't miss him. You must be loaded in the front court.

LOL, KMart wanted a 4 year extension last year, he may still be useful right not, but I doubt he is worth the old MLE money he wanted from the Nuggets for the next 4 years. In case you have not notice the Nuggets are rebuilding, they are trying to get younger, and whether or not they brought back KMart, the odds are long that they end up even getting past the 1st round this year. may as well develop the young talent in the front court this year as spend money on a declining player with only a year or two left.

Also he maybe doing great on blocks and dunks, he always does for a few weeks, and then he seems to have too have knee surgery, we have been seeing it since 2004. It is unfortunate that he has such bad knees, as he is a very underrated player and can really help a team.

nugzin2040 wrote:He's 34. We weren't stupid and were not going to sign him to a long-term deal. He's a good defensive player, and that's about it.

Lol @ starting fights over Blake's flops being a positive attribute.

The Nuggets could use a player that is willing to start a fight when opponents are pushing them around, mental/physical toughness is one of the things this team is lacking at the moment.