Mythbusters: Kevin Martin's Not Clutch?

TZ, I have never been one to say that Martin isnt clucth. However, I have seen him become completely isolated from plays late in the game. True, this could be his teammates fault for not getting him the ball (as many on STR have stated). I, however, feel that as the MAN (he didnt get that extension for nothing) on the team, he needs to be able to take control of the game and NEVER find himself isolated from crunch time possesions.

Kobe, McGrady, Joe Johnson, Lebron, Wade, Melo ect ect.. are all swingmen who DEMAND/TAKE OVER during the final possessions of crunchtime. I hope Martin can one day (very soon) become that type of player who everyone knows WILL get the ball everytime down for the last minute or two of a tight game, but right now he just isnt. And I'm not discounting his amazing late game heroics you posted on the front page. I just dont see him take control of games late like I believe he is capable of doing.

However, dont confuse my opinion stating that he sometimes allows himself to become "isolated" from the action with saying that he isnt "clutch". 2 completely different things! (This could possibly be the root of the confusion concerning the myth??????)

Average    14.3    16.6    54.8%    50.8%

I know this doesn't line up well, but I haven't figured out how to post a spreadsheet to a blog. Maybe someone can give me a clue.

I've used eFG% to be consistent with what TZ posted.

It's interesting that Martin is the team leader in shots per 48 minutes of crunch time as well as overall time. Udrih is the only player on the team who takes more shots in crunch time than overall time.

In fact, the Kings' top nine players overall average almost 21 shots less in crunch time per 48 minutes than they do overall. Maybe this is because there is more working the clock down. Maybe they commit more turnovers in crunch time. I don't know how this compares to other teams.

Overall, Martin ranks 41st in the NBA (or slightly lower) in shots taken per crunch time.

Sacramento, Indiana and Charlotte are the only three teams in the NBA without a player who averages at least 20 shots per 49 minutes of crunch time. Many of the top teams have two clear crunch time players to carry the load.

This is Martin's first season as the team's crunch time shot leader. Compare this to last season:

Bibby: 24.9
Artest: 18.4
Martin: 17.0

Notice Bibby's numbers are way down this year. The changing of the guard is happening, even if it's at too slow a pace.

I am going to step back here and say that I have been too hard on Kevin Martin. At the same time, I think it's fair to say he's still an emerging star. He's not in the same conversation with the game's greats yet, and it's equally unfair to put that burden on him at this point and anoint him as something he's not based on his potential and pretty awesome offensive production thus far.

Will he grow into that player? This is only his second season as a starter, and the team is clearly in transition from being Bibby's team to being Martin's team.

I agree it's time to clear the decks and see what we have. I don't think we will truly know how good Kevin is or can be until the other main options are gone and we give Kevin Martin a full season to show what he can do as The Man. Next year will be Kevin Martin's showcase season.

The only other question I have is whether his body can stand up to major NBA minutes. His best two games where he looked freshest were his first two games back from injury, where he played about 28 minutes a game coming off the bench and scored more than a point a minute. It's also worth noting that Artest and Bibby did not play in those two games.

Since returning to the starting lineup, he has slowed things down and seems to be pacing himself. I am eager to see if he can regain that extra gear and still play more than 35-40 minutes a game.

We probably won't have the luxury if we deal Artest and Bibby, but playing Kevin as a sixth man could be the ticket down the road. Food for thought.