mnWI wrote:I know it's probably tough for you guys to get excited about this signing after how the Alonzo Gee thing played out, but I'm absolutely thrilled about this as a guy who has coached Cartier.
Cartier Martin is absolutely one of the nicest and hardest working guys I've ever met. He actually had a few fully guaranteed NBA offers on the table last summer after his outstanding summer league performance, but he received poor advice from his old agent and ended up signing a long deal with top Italian club Bennetton Treviso. Martin bought his way out of his contract in December to come back and attempt to make the NBA, because he wasn't happy in Italy.
His first day back in Iowa, he came to the gym at noon for a 4 PM practice. Never seen anything like it, he worked on his game for 4 hours until practice started.
As far as his strengths and weaknesses, Cartier is a very good three point shooter. He has been especially hot from long range lately, and is shooting 45% from downtown on the season. Martin has other aspects to his game besides shooting. He can drive either direction off the dribble, and has very good body control around the rim. He's not an amazing finisher though a good one, and creates contact very well.
Defensively Martin also has very strong fundamentals. He applies heavy ball pressure, and is very good at drawing charges (great anticipation and always gets to the spot). He's strong enough to lock and trail around screens as well.
As far as his limitations, Martin isn't anything special athletically. He's quick off the dribble with decent change of direction and straight line speed, but he's a below the rim player.
He has great size for a wing player in the NBA at 6'7". The reason he hasn't stuck in the NBA yet is he can take a while to adjust to a new situation. It may take him the rest of the regular season to find his comfort zone with the Wizards, but if he finds it early he'll be a good presence to have on the floor.
Great post. Good luck to him. Btw, would Jared Dudley be a good comparison?
Ernie learned his lesson from the Gee brain-fart and locked-up Martin for the remaining games.
