Kori Ellis
12-02-2006, 01:06 AM
King's Martin proving he's special
Web Posted: 12/01/2006 03:52 PM CST
Mike Monroe
Express-News Staff Writer
He doesn't dwell much on the moment, but Kings guard Kevin Martin doesn't mind an occasional reminder of one of the more amazing plays of the entire 2006 NBA playoffs. After all, it helped set him up for a more prominent role with his team this season.
Spurs fans don't need much of a reminder about it, either. For a few days last spring it made them very nervous about their team's likelihood of advancing out of a first-round series that was much more difficult than the 1-vs.-8 matchup is supposed to be.
It was Martin who streaked downcourt at ARCO Arena after Mike Bibby stole the ball from Manu Ginobili with about three seconds left in Game 3 of the Spurs-Kings series. Martin took a long pass from Bibby and, in almost the same motion, released a shot that barely eluded Tim Duncan's block attempt before rolling once around the rim and settling into the net as the buzzer sounded, giving Sacramento a 1-point victory that set off a rousing celebration.
"It was definitely a good moment," Martin said during a phone conversation Friday after his team's morning shootaround in Dallas, where the Kings were to play the Southwest Division leading Mavericks. "But it was just a moment, and that's how I tried to look at it. I don't really reflect on it."
The Kings won Game 4 last spring, too. Even after closing out the series in six games the Spurs knew they had been tested severely and that Martin was destined for bigger things in the future.
When the Kings meet the Spurs tonight at AT&T Center, Martin will be in the starting lineup, having replaced Bonzi Wells, who foolishly believed a five-year, $38-million contract offer the Kings made in July was inadequate.
Wells and his agent must have been among the very few who failed to understand that Martin's rapid development into a potential star and his toughness during that playoff series made Wells expendable in Sacramento.
"I think the playoffs definitely helped me, confidence-wise," Martin said. "I'd had a good regular season, played well in the starting lineup after Bonzi got hurt (early in the season). The next question (the Kings) had was: 'What can you do in the playoffs?' I felt I did all right, so I definitely had confidence going into the summer."
Martin went to work on his perimeter shooting soon after the Spurs finished off the Kings in Game 6 last spring, hitting the gym nearly every day to get up a few hundred shots and perfect his stroke.
When Wells turned down the Kings' millions – he ended up signing with the Rockets for slightly more than $2 million – Martin knew the starting spot at big guard was his to lose. He has made the most of it. Until a clunker against the Clippers – 1 for 8 – he had been the team's most reliable scorer, with eight consecutive games of at least 20 points.
Martin insists there was no pressure replacing Wells, who had been the Kings' best player against the Spurs in the playoffs.
"I'm just going to go out and play my game," he said. "I started for him half the year last year anyway. We complemented each other really well. So there's no extra pressure. I'm just trying to do what I did last year."
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA12012006.WEBnbainsider.en.4348bd74.html
Web Posted: 12/01/2006 03:52 PM CST
Mike Monroe
Express-News Staff Writer
He doesn't dwell much on the moment, but Kings guard Kevin Martin doesn't mind an occasional reminder of one of the more amazing plays of the entire 2006 NBA playoffs. After all, it helped set him up for a more prominent role with his team this season.
Spurs fans don't need much of a reminder about it, either. For a few days last spring it made them very nervous about their team's likelihood of advancing out of a first-round series that was much more difficult than the 1-vs.-8 matchup is supposed to be.
It was Martin who streaked downcourt at ARCO Arena after Mike Bibby stole the ball from Manu Ginobili with about three seconds left in Game 3 of the Spurs-Kings series. Martin took a long pass from Bibby and, in almost the same motion, released a shot that barely eluded Tim Duncan's block attempt before rolling once around the rim and settling into the net as the buzzer sounded, giving Sacramento a 1-point victory that set off a rousing celebration.
"It was definitely a good moment," Martin said during a phone conversation Friday after his team's morning shootaround in Dallas, where the Kings were to play the Southwest Division leading Mavericks. "But it was just a moment, and that's how I tried to look at it. I don't really reflect on it."
The Kings won Game 4 last spring, too. Even after closing out the series in six games the Spurs knew they had been tested severely and that Martin was destined for bigger things in the future.
When the Kings meet the Spurs tonight at AT&T Center, Martin will be in the starting lineup, having replaced Bonzi Wells, who foolishly believed a five-year, $38-million contract offer the Kings made in July was inadequate.
Wells and his agent must have been among the very few who failed to understand that Martin's rapid development into a potential star and his toughness during that playoff series made Wells expendable in Sacramento.
"I think the playoffs definitely helped me, confidence-wise," Martin said. "I'd had a good regular season, played well in the starting lineup after Bonzi got hurt (early in the season). The next question (the Kings) had was: 'What can you do in the playoffs?' I felt I did all right, so I definitely had confidence going into the summer."
Martin went to work on his perimeter shooting soon after the Spurs finished off the Kings in Game 6 last spring, hitting the gym nearly every day to get up a few hundred shots and perfect his stroke.
When Wells turned down the Kings' millions – he ended up signing with the Rockets for slightly more than $2 million – Martin knew the starting spot at big guard was his to lose. He has made the most of it. Until a clunker against the Clippers – 1 for 8 – he had been the team's most reliable scorer, with eight consecutive games of at least 20 points.
Martin insists there was no pressure replacing Wells, who had been the Kings' best player against the Spurs in the playoffs.
"I'm just going to go out and play my game," he said. "I started for him half the year last year anyway. We complemented each other really well. So there's no extra pressure. I'm just trying to do what I did last year."
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA12012006.WEBnbainsider.en.4348bd74.html