Kevin Martin's D

[City of Trees]

This guy might be a rockets fan asking - he didn't say but that's what I figured when I read the topic.

Yeah Rockets fan here. Am I not allowed to visit other boards and ask some questions here and there ? I figured you guys would know more about Martin than we would.

Decent defender. Nothing great, not the weakest link. Stayed in front of his guy most of the time.

Martin is the weak link defensively on the Rockets' starting lineup believe it or not.

kmart was always one of our worst defenders on a bad team. he will get some steals but he is not picking jason terry's pocket, he is tipping a pass.. he isnt strong enough to be a good defender, nor imo does he have the desire

[cdt3]

You only have so much energy. Some guys burn it up on defense. Some guys burn it up on offense. Some guys save it for both sides but aren't as good shooters or defenders. This is why you have teams. CWebb was great all around in games then wet himself in clutch time, Peja was a great shooter for 4 quarters and opened the floor for CWebb, Bibby was clutch in crunchtime but offensively but couldn't carry you for 4 quarters, Christie was a great defender and hit some clutch shots. You have to have a balanced team of guys who bring different things to be title contenders. This is why we sucked with just Bibby because he needed Peja and Webber to get to carry him to crunchtime to get the gamewinner. You can't win alone, just ask Kobe who put up a Martin like game 7 and still won a title.

You don't win titles with all hustlers or defenders or scores you need a balance of all to win a title. Kevin Martin is a great offensive player who can carry you offensively for 4 quarters and a team that has all the other parts with KMart will be a playoff team.

[M4P]

You don't win titles with all hustlers or defenders or scores you need a balance of all to win a title. Kevin Martin is a great offensive player who can carry you offensively for 4 quarters and a team that has all the other parts with KMart will be a playoff team.

Not so much. He was notorious for disappearing during the 4th.

Everyone should "hustle" and give full effort. I don't care if you're a star or not - you're not obligated to just give up defensively.

[Winsome Gerbil]

Sorry to be the bearer of unwelcome news, but the short answer here would be: no.

First of all there is not an ounce of fire or testosterone in his entire body, so if you are sitting around waiting for a competitive response you're going to be there for a while. Just as importantly Martin discovered fairly early in his career that he would get oohs ahs accolades and most importantly $$$ for putting up pretty numbers on offense, and nobody was really going to force him to play the other side too. So why break a nail? You should especially come to appreciate the many times that he decides to just quit on defense so he can leak out for some cherry picking stat padding at the other end. After all, what is good for Kevin's statline is good for Kevin's pocketbook right?

I have heard Battier is trying to whip him into shape this summer. Best of luck with that.

Look at the positive side though: there is no way to go but up.

[PetrieUnderstudy]

Is this the Houston Rockets forum? As a Kings fan I want him to play horrible defense because he's not on the Kings. I could understand Martin discussion right after trade but we're going on 5 months. Screw Kevin Martin.

[UKF]

The title is an oxymoron..Sorry Kevin

[pillwenney]

It's fine to talk about former players. He came on here seeking out input, as we would probably still know better than anyone. It's relevant discussion and this thread is fine.

[_SRV_]

Kevin Martin's defense consisted of the occasional steal, and the occasional charge, he should be able to stay in front of almost anyone, and he guarded PGs, but he shows little effort, a hrad ass coach may set him straight, he is atrocious when posted up, but he's excused in that regard.