Kevin Martin Gets Respect ... From Somewhere Else
by Tom Ziller on Feb 16, 2010 12:09 PM PST
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PrintFrom Bill Simmons's annual trade value column (where Kevin Martin is discussed):
My favorite possibly available trade piece -- great contract, proven scorer, high hoops IQ, someone who'd thrive on a veteran team that protected him defensively and ran plays for him. Right now he's playing on a glorified pickup team with Tyreke Evans, who thinks "point guard" means "I get to dribble over midcourt." Not gonna fly. Someone like Martin is a luxury. You pamper him. You set him screens. You hook him up on slash-and-kicks. You go to him after games and say, "Hey, what's the best place to deliver the ball for you -- chest high and a little to the right?" He could absolutely be a contender's No. 1 scoring option like Reggie Miller or Rip Hamilton once upon a time. Stay tuned.
It's amazing to me that Bill Simmons -- a national writer who has no reason to puff up Sacramento or Martin, and in fact in the past has taken care to poke at Kings fans as well as the front office's decision-making -- can publish such a glowing review of our player ... all while the organization which has Martin employs a man (Grant Napear) who tears Martin down repeatedly.
And not only does the organization allow it, the organization ignores it. The team has not once defended Martin publicly in the face of Napear's attacks. That's the real problem I have. If the Kings want to let Napear continue both jobs, fine. But Martin has done nothing wrong, and at least deserves some public defense from his coach, his team president, his owners. I dare say that in 29 other NBA cities a player as classy and productive as Martin would get that benefit. In 29 other cities, I think there's a good chance the general manager gets on the radio to defend their player, or at least talks to the dude privately.
Not here.
(Of course, the team has really never promoted Martin as a player in any meaningful way, despite his talent, so maybe I shouldn't be so surprised its turning a blind eye to the in-house sabotage.)
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I was thinking about this during NapearGate as well
A solid management group would publicly stand behind Kevin – a guy that’s worked his ass off for the organization (and done so without complaint) and has made himself into one of the top offensive players in the game. That lack of complaint in an organization that has been a rudderless ship the last few seasons speaks to Kevin’s professionalism and class.
Maybe the team has done something behind the scenes, but in doing so, they are allowing Napear’s insinuations to lay there without rebuttal. And there are enough horseshit dumb Kings fans that listen to his show and will take his ill-informed ramblings as gospel, that this myth will only be solidified.
"You know what I consider mentally weak? Using your audience to settle a grudge with someone who had the audacity to publicly call you on your sh*t. The only thing more offensive is that Napear thinks we're all too stupid to see it for what it is." - TZ, Sactown Royalty
Perhaps,
1) a solid management group doesn’t see the ramblings of a radio talk-show host as a meaningful threat requiring any meaningful reaction (ie “I’m not going to dignify that with a response”) Maybe only we get worked up about Napear.
2) a solid management group doesn’t feel the need to run around correcting the misconceptions of hs dumb fans and the myths they choose to believe.
I wonder how we know that the GM hasn’t ‘talked to the dude privately’.
And I wonder if “in-house sabotage” is a realistic evaluation.
Lower their expectations and rise to met them
Agree with left hand
Petrie is not the type to make public comments in response to a radio show. By making a public statement he would just turn Grant’s comments in to a bigger story and gives the story more shelf life. I am not a Martin fan and don’t think he is a long term fit, but I respect all of you that like him as a player and defend his value to the team…but aren’t we getting a little out of control here with how much you want the organization to protect him? I could be wrong, but I’m not sure Danny Ferry or Mitch Kupchak would make a public statement in defense of Lebron or Kobe in the same situation. I know the argument for many of you will be that Napear is an employee of the team and that is why something needs to be said, but no matter how many times we go over this it just doesn’t sink in…..Napear did not make the comments on a Kings telecast ….he made them on his radio show that has nothing to do with the team. For any of you that think the Kings should tell Napear what he can and can’t say when not working for them…you are asking for censorship. They have every right to fire him if they don’t like the way he represents the organization, but they can’t tell him what opinions to have. Finally (I will get off my soap box), I think some of you are taking what Grant says a little harder then Kevin is.
As for Simmons, I love his writing. I am currently reading “The Book of Basketball” and find it funny and full of great stories and opinions that are great conversation / argument pieces, but Ziller is practically smiling through the computer about this article like Jerry West wrote it. Simmons is not a former GM, coach, scout, or even beat writer. He is a huge basketball fan with informed opinions that are often wrong. He said that drafting Tyrke Evans was going to be like a “natural disaster” and has routinley looked really stupid in retropsect when bashing Petrie draft picks.Lets not get carried away with his evaluation skills Ziller.
by Mark Olberding on Feb 16, 2010 3:09 PM PST up reply actions
They don't have to publicly condemn Napear
Hell, they don’t even have to mention his name. But showing a bit of support for a player being wrongfully maligned by their own play-by-play guy would be a nice change for this franchise.
Again, this goes back to the Kings not having a Larry Baer-VP type that handles communication with the media. The Maloofs aren’t good at it…lord knows Petrie’s not good at it.
And I don’t want Napear censored or fired from his KHTK gig because he slandered Kevin Martin (and Bobby Jackson IMO). It’s because his show sucks ass and I’d like to be able to listen to some local sports programming when I’m driving home from work.
"You know what I consider mentally weak? Using your audience to settle a grudge with someone who had the audacity to publicly call you on your sh*t. The only thing more offensive is that Napear thinks we're all too stupid to see it for what it is." - TZ, Sactown Royalty
Just a little food for thought:
a) Nobody got slandered. A hyper-opinionated, obnoxious, blowhard on a radio show bellows that Kevin Martin is “soft” because he is injury-prone and is “mentally weak” because he hasn’t been consistently clutch (I guess).
b) Who knows if the organization doesn’t mind it in the hopes that Martin will use it as fuel to become better, faster, stronger?
c) Wouldn’t acting like Martin has to be publicly defended like a Mommy putting her little kid behind her leg and wagging her finger at the bullies make it look more like Martin is soft and mentally weak? Maybe they know he’s man enough to deal with it.
I don’t have to agree with Napear about Martin. I don’t even agree with “Olberding” about Martin being a long term fit. I just disagree well. What’s the big deal?
Lower their expectations and rise to met them
Hmmm
I’m posting my opinion…as are you. So there’s really no “big deal”.
a) “Slander” is the proper word IMO. Peaches questioned Kevin’s desire to play with a broken wrist, and that was just a warmup for his recent broadsides.
b) Kevin Martin has shown he doesn’t need motivation to become better, faster, stronger. Maybe we could ask David Thorpe about Kevin’s work ethic, and if he needs some mentally challenged redheaded talk show host to motivate him.
c) Maybe they do know he’s man enough to deal with it, and maybe they prefer their play by play guy to question the heart of arguably the best player on the team. That sounds like a great marketing plan.
"You know what I consider mentally weak? Using your audience to settle a grudge with someone who had the audacity to publicly call you on your sh*t. The only thing more offensive is that Napear thinks we're all too stupid to see it for what it is." - TZ, Sactown Royalty
Slander: "a malicious, false, and defamatory statement or report"
It’s only slander if you can prove it’s false. There’s no way to prove it’s false; hence, no slander.
When life gives you lemons, just say "f--- the lemons" and bail
by CaliforniaJag on Feb 16, 2010 5:28 PM PST up reply actions
Agree w/ lefthand
We are Sac Town Royalty, the haters of Grant extreme. Just because someone criticizes your player doesn’t mean you go out of the way to hold a press conference to say “Hey, we still love Kevin!”
Every time I’ve seen Coach Westphal interviewed and he is asked about Martin he gives a glowing review and says he’s working his ass off.
If the organization held a press conference or released a statement every time someone said Martin wasn’t great or was mentally weak or whatever have you, there would be no time for them to do anything else.
The NBA: "Where 27 free throws happens"
If the organization held a press conference or released a statement every time someone said Martin wasn’t great or was mentally weak or whatever have you, there would be no time for them to do anything else.
That’s certainly an understatement of the issue we are discussing.
"You know what I consider mentally weak? Using your audience to settle a grudge with someone who had the audacity to publicly call you on your sh*t. The only thing more offensive is that Napear thinks we're all too stupid to see it for what it is." - TZ, Sactown Royalty
Help us out, Otis.
Exactly what is the issue we are discussing? I mean that respectfully. Please don’t assign all of your emotion and sarcasm to my words. I just feel like this is actually a non-issue that we, in fact, are overstating. Maybe I’m missing some big piece.
Lower their expectations and rise to met them
Oh dear
When you say “help us out”…who is “us”?
I get it – you think it’s much ado about nothing. I disagree.
"You know what I consider mentally weak? Using your audience to settle a grudge with someone who had the audacity to publicly call you on your sh*t. The only thing more offensive is that Napear thinks we're all too stupid to see it for what it is." - TZ, Sactown Royalty
I agree that Grant should be gone
from one of his jobs. I would much rather have a PBP guy who was a homer and supported all the players. At the same time, I don’t think the organization needs to make a statement about it. That would give the issue legs and show insecurity about their confidence in Kevin, which I think they have tons of.
The NBA: "Where 27 free throws happens"
I guess this is the difference for me,
lsf. I don’t like a “homer” either announcing the game or on the radio talk shows. I don’t like Napear because he is so disrespectful of callers. I don’t care if he roughs up players or the organization, right or wrong. Then we all just have the entertainment of the argument instead of lowering ourselves to his level with all kinds of abusive personal attacks.
If Napear wants to call a player weak, then the player can boycott the interview, not look at the interviewer (really?), or look him in the eye. Criticism, even unfair and inaccurate, comes with the territory. If you want Napear fired for calling every other caller “stupid”, now you’re on to something.
Lower their expectations and rise to met them
I don't have a problem
With grant the radio host calling a player weak minded. But Grant the PBP guy should not that. I think its too tough to do both and you can’t do either well if you’re doing both.
The NBA: "Where 27 free throws happens"
his breakdown of tyreke as the 0-guard is just as good...
At USC we're not snobs, we're just better than you.
Ah to be fair though...
…I think ignoring it deflates it. It’s making Napear’s opinion irrelvant. He’s a PBP guy. That’s it. His opinion means jack squat in any other format. He calls the games, that’s the extent of his expertise. By calling him out, you’re empowering his secondary job.
It's a bit of a dig at Westphal, too, which isn't entirely unfair.
Let’s get Kevin some screens so he can light up the midrange stuff, he can always dump it inside or kick it out.
Sometimes you’re just too close to something to see what you have.
Rocks are free, and slingshots easily stolen.
I think that is a good idea Andy
I thought the last couple of games it seemed Kevin took more fifteen ft jumpers, and those running shots down the key, rather than just taking a 22 footer. If he can get back to his old game, his fg pct should go back up.
by MichaelMack on Feb 16, 2010 12:31 PM PST up reply actions
Agreed
He makes the point about Tyreke kinda being selfish. My counter to that would be the inconsistency of the players around him. When guys don’t make the shots he sets them up for he feels the need to take over, a la Kobe or D-Wade. I’d prefer to see Tyreke learn to be a better teammate early on but of course, he’ll have to rely on other guys to do this as well. I think it would behoove Coach Westphal to spend some time with Kevin and Tyreke and utilize them properly. If Tyreke’s having trouble driving the lane but Kevin can make the backdoor cut off the ball, Tyreke needs to be aware of this and make the pass. A Kevin/Tyreke two man game could and should be deadly, it’s about time Westphal realizes this and uses them correctly
www.mancancook.net
Tyreke has always been by far the best player on his teams
He could beat other teams almost by himself. He’s adjusting to th NBA, give him a little more time before throwing selfish at him.
Sheeesh, he’s a rookie.
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Feb 16, 2010 1:43 PM PST up reply actions
I agree-
I don’t think that Evans has great court vision and he looks for his shot a little too much but I believe he thinks it is out of necessity, not selfishness. Eventually Evans will become a complete NBA player, until then we get to critique his flaws while marveling at his maturity for his age.
The Sacramento Convergence concept offers Sacramento, the Central Valley, and the State a solution to feasibly construct a new multi-use Entertainment and Sports Complex.
I think it is telling
that Bill Simmons makes a reasoned basketball observation, while Grant is reduced to calling someone “soft” to jack up his ratings. Grant is a small person, with really no debate.
That's why I stopped reading Bill Simmons.
He tries to balance the intelligent argument with ratings. You can’t do it. I would think in this day & age an intelligent guy would be so much in demand. But apparently it doesn’t work that way.
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
I know exactly why the team hasn't done anything publically
because no one listens to Grant Napear. It was brought to our attention on here by one of the few listeners he has and might have been made into something bigger by us then it really was.
www.mancancook.net
The problem is, I don't like it when organizations dictate what someone says
and what makes it worse is there’s Peaches the PBP and Peaches the call-in show host. An organization shouldn’t tell a call-in guy what to say, I mean they can complain about things, but they shouldn’t actually have the means to twist that person’s arm. Now they can rightfully dictate what the PBP guy says, and I don’t think Peaches has been as negative during Kings games then when on the radio.
If it were 2 people doing the 2 jobs, then I’d have no problem with them slamming the radio host, but since it’s the same guy they pay for the PBP job, that create a sticky situation.
Best option is to fire Peaches. :)
I would choose Gary Gerould over Peaches any day of the week
Wherever I go, destruction will follow - Professor Chaos
If an employee's moonlight job
is doing actual damage to the business he primarily works for, well, thats not only a conflict, its bad business.
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Feb 16, 2010 1:45 PM PST up reply actions
Maybe it is a reverse psychology promotion
Peaches says Martin sucks, he’s soft, and he killed a kitten when he was 7. Come watch the Kings to see just how bad KMart really is!
Actually he denies that...
I contacted him by text during his show and he denies calling Martin soft. I addressed him calling Martin soft and asked why he wouldn’t apologize when he found out that Martin actually had a broken wrist. His response was “I don’t know what you are talking about. I never said that.”
by AnonymousFan on Feb 16, 2010 1:58 PM PST up reply actions
Napear's responsibility and that of the Kings organization
If you haven’t read the fanpost, I called and talked to the VP for Broadcasting and responded by email. My email is posted to the right and some of you might be interested.
That said, this is an ethical situation. Grant Napear’s personal ethics, or lack thereof, have created a problem for the Kings. In these types of situations organizations typically establish ethical standards or rules of conduct to keep this from occuring or re-occuring.
The Kings need to have rules of conduct to protect their organization. They are responsible for what their organization’s members do and how they act in public. This is similar to how off-court behavior of players often merits fines and penalties, though some of that is contract driven.
The Kings clearly need to take responsibility for Grant Napear’s conduct even when he isn’t calling the PBP. He is their spokesperson during the games when he does the PBP and as such is one of the faces of the organization with off-court responsibilities.
When a person has such a role they have to be held to a higher standard to protect the organization. Public roles come with this price tag. In such a capacity and given his employment by the Kings what he says carries much more weight.
At one level you can blame Napear, but TZ is absolutely correct here. You have to hold the Kings organization responsible as well. They ultimately are responsible and they either accept the behavior or they don’t. Doing nothing about it means they allow it.
This is not "an ethical situation".
Lower their expectations and rise to met them
I'm pretty sure Martin was #30 last year. Westbrook is #30 this year
KM didn’t crack his top 40 this year. He did get a glowing honorable mention though.
I love beating dead horses.
Its an entertaining write-up.
Though I have my disagreements with some of it.
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
Holy crap
They removed Chris Paul’s meniscus? That’s scary, scary.
Uh
exactly, they removed cartilage from a young superstar’s knee. Bone-on-bone at age 30 would be a sad end to his career.
and i fail at the internets
reply to bench blob.
It would be a terrible shame
for such a talent to be diminished already.
But I think blob is right. An arthroscopic procedure these days to remove some rough or torn cartilage might not be that much of a thing. I would be surprised if it was as serious as bone-on-bone.
Lower their expectations and rise to met them
I'm assuming Napear is "the dude"
In 29 other cities, I think there’s a good chance the general manager … at least talks to the dude privately.
Initially I thought you meant Martin as “the dude,” but you’re talking about Napear in that context, right.
I have no doubt that Petrie has talked privately with Martin recently. A lot is riding on decisions regarding Kevin. More on that later.
"The basis for winning an NBA title is having a superstar in his prime. Not an all-star, or a bunch of all-stars, but a superstar."
by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 16, 2010 3:43 PM PST reply actions
More on that later?
You mean your proof that Kevin has washed his hands of the franchise and the fans?
"You know what I consider mentally weak? Using your audience to settle a grudge with someone who had the audacity to publicly call you on your sh*t. The only thing more offensive is that Napear thinks we're all too stupid to see it for what it is." - TZ, Sactown Royalty
No
The Kings apparently deep-sixed that baby. I also never heard back from the radio folks. Obviously it was the centerpoint of the Grant tirade that was debated in over 500 posts.
But I do think what Kevin said in the postgame chat with Grant and Jerry after the Detroit game deserves a closer look.
"The basis for winning an NBA title is having a superstar in his prime. Not an all-star, or a bunch of all-stars, but a superstar."
by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 16, 2010 4:42 PM PST up reply actions
Deep-sixed it eh?
Man, I’m having trouble figuring out whether this franchise is more inclined to leave Kevin hanging in the breeze, or creating some kind of coverup to protect him from his own words.
It’s damn confusing, I tell ya.
"You know what I consider mentally weak? Using your audience to settle a grudge with someone who had the audacity to publicly call you on your sh*t. The only thing more offensive is that Napear thinks we're all too stupid to see it for what it is." - TZ, Sactown Royalty
Save Sean May!
Happy?
Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order and Originator of the "Brock Ness Monster".
Save-Mart!
Lower their expectations and rise to met them
My favorite part of Simmons quote on Martin
You pamper him. You set him screens. You hook him up on slash-and-kicks. You go to him after games and say, “Hey, what’s the best place to deliver the ball for you — chest high and a little to the right?” He could absolutely be a contender’s No. 1 scoring option like Reggie Miller or Rip Hamilton once upon a time.
I guess BS doesn’t think Kevin Martin might be able to be the 4th option on a contender.
Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal
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