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Not as much as Kenyon could help the Spurs...if he was healthy.
I'll be honest...I didn't think we could beat the Nuggets without a healthy Kenyon Martin.
By Aaron J. Lopez, Rocky Mountain News
May 1, 2007
Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin is once again baffled by a lack of playing time.
Only this time, he is lobbying for his teammates.
Martin, suspended from the playoffs a year ago as the result of a halftime tirade, believes forward Reggie Evans and guard DerMarr Johnson could make an impact in Denver's first-round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs.
Neither Evans nor Johnson played in the first three games of the series, and Evans missed Game 4 to attend his great-grandmother's funeral in Florida.
Martin, recovering from surgery on his right knee, said Evans could be valuable in defending Spurs power forward Tim Duncan. Though not a scorer, Evans is an aggressive defender and rebounder who has a knack for frustrating the opposition.
Evans gained notoriety last year when Los Angeles Clippers center Chris Kaman accused him of grabbing him in the groin area. Evans later was fined $10,000 by the NBA.
"He can get up under Tim's skin," Martin said. "He treats us the same way in practice. He's going to knock us down, hold us, grab us. I think he should play. . . . I feel Reggie can help us."
Martin pointed to Evans' performance in the regular-season finale against San Antonio as further evidence that he deserves a chance. With both teams resting their top players, Evans scored 19 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in 30 minutes.
"I don't care what the meaning of the game is, rec-league, grown people, whatever. If you get 20 rebounds, that's hard to do, especially on this level," Martin said. "He was trying to prove he could play."
As for Johnson, Martin said his height (6-foot-9) and long arms would be an asset against San Antonio guards Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, who have bedeviled Denver with their ability to penetrate the lane.
In past seasons, Karl has used Johnson's length to harass smaller guards such as the 6-2 Parker. Martin and Johnson both said Monday that Denver guard Allen Iverson (6-foot) can't score on Johnson in practice.
Johnson said he did not expect to play this series, and Martin said he does not expect Evans to play when he rejoins the team today in San Antonio. Karl did nothing to refute those beliefs.
"I've dusted off players in different series, but not very often in the same series," Karl said.
There is no chance Martin will be dusted off before the start of next season. He had microfracture surgery Nov. 15 and not been cleared to run at full speed.
It was Martin's surgically repaired left knee that slowed him all of last season, and his frustration finally boiled over in Game 2 against the Los Angeles Clippers. After cursing at coaches and teammates, he was suspended for the final three games of the series.
"It was my body this year. It might have been more my at ude last year," Martin said. "It's all been bad, though. But it's the hand I've been dealt."
Martin, listed in Denver's game notes at 240 pounds, said he weighs 244 and is down to 7 percent body fat. He expects to be ready to return for training camp in October.
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This dude needs to seriously lay down the pipe, and go ride the stationary bike. Maybe he can be helpful in 4 years.
Not as much as Kenyon could help the Spurs...if he was healthy.
I'll be honest...I didn't think we could beat the Nuggets without a healthy Kenyon Martin.
Kenyon Martin? That's a blast from the past.
Reggies Evans wouldn't do a better job than Nene. And if Johnson is soooooo good that Iverson can't score on him, why isn't he playing and earning a DPOY award. Sounds iffy to me. Clearly, Karl cut the rotation to 8, and the bench sucks.
Are you kidding? We'd have swept their asses if Martin was playing. Nene's a much better defender. Duncan would've killed Martin like he always does and they would have been forced to guard him with Camby. Duncan would've just taken him outside and opened up the lane for Manu and Tony on backdoor cuts all day.
Evans is a great rebounder, but that's about it from I know of him. The boards aren't where the Nuggets are losing this series so I don't think that would be a real game changer. (I'll leave the testicle grabbing jokes to others.) As far as Johnson goes, why the not? Can't do much worse than Kleiza or Smith are right now.
I think we're all a little surprised that someone sought out an interview with him. Ain't nobody didn't think no one would go asking KMart no questions.
Karl needs to free up his rotation a little. Evans couldn't hurt.
I hope Karl won't put Reggie Scrubans in just to do some cheap shots on Spurs players.
Eh, it's defenitely desperation if DJ gets out there. When AI played for the Sixers DJ defenitely was our AI stopper. I'd imagine he'd do well on Parker, but it's not going to happen. He's the second to last guy off the bench. Manu probably woudn't be troubled by DJ. Although, I don't think Chuck Norris would trouble Ginobili.
In regards to Evans our rebounding has been fine so there's no need for him. He's worse than Najera on offense, if that's even possible. He probably would defenitely frustrate Duncan as Reggie is a goon. I don't condone that type of play but I'd be a little weary if I was a Spurs fan and Evans was put in the game. He's definetly 'physical' to say the least.
Read what I said again, then apologize.
Get those synapses firing.
Kenyon Martin is the property of Spurs.
Maybe Coach K-Mart can take over for Karl when he moves on......
Putting Evans out there would be bad news for the Spurs.
He would kill them on the boards.
hilarious!
but luckily for us AI is picking up the slack!
Are you kidding? We'd have swept their asses if Martin was playing. Nene's a much better defender. Duncan would've killed Martin like he always does and they would have been forced to guard him with Camby. Duncan would've just taken him outside and opened up the lane for Manu and Tony on backdoor cuts all day.
WHA WHA WHA WHAAAAAAAA
(cue the losing Price is right music)
the only memory i have of Kenyon Martin is him bricking shot after shot and duncan blocking his shot after shot in game 6 of the 2003 NBA Finals.
Self-pwnage.
he would be traded if he did not have such a big contract
Martin's ego/at ude would have, I think, caused more problems. He's not an asset he's collateral damage. He's an idiot too. And they have one idiot already in J.R., that seems to be enough.
Didn't Duncan own his ass in the second round of the 2005 playoffs?
Oops. You got me. For a second I thought somebody was taking crazy pills calling Martin a good player. I apologize.
(It'd be neat if other people could ever admit to being wrong).
(It'd be neat if other people could ever admit to being wrong).
Aaron, from what little I've seen of your posting I have to admit that you're wrong quite often.
Man....that felt pretty good. That was great advice!
I'm not sure what Evans would give them. They're already owning the boards, and he can't score. DJ will probably have to fill in, unless Karl hates Kenyon so much that he automatically disregards anyone he props.
Kenyon Martin thinks?
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