Martin given big shoes to fill
Only 19, draft pick shows potential to followin his former NBA All-Star father’s footsteps
The encounter did not mean much at the time. Though his experience consisted of high school ball and one season on an IMG postgraduate team, K. J. Martin had so often competed with and against NBA players, that a few possessions switching to go against James Harden did not seem as significant at the time as it might now.
Martin has shared the floor with more NBA players that he could remember. Kevin Durant. Trae Young. J.R. Smith. Pascal Siakam. Fred Van Vleet. Thomas Bryant.
“I could go on and on,” he said. “Those are the ones off the top ofmy head. Playing against those guys and now it’s my job, seeing those guys a lot, it kind of helped me just seeing how they … play together. It’s helped me a lot.
“I played against (Harden). There were some screens I switch up on him. I played solid defense. He dribbles and does all his moves. I just tried to stay solid and get a hand up. It was cool competing against him. Now, we’re on the same team so it’s great.”
Martin became a Rockets teammate when the Rockets traded in last week’s draft to get Martin, a 6-6 forward, with the 52nd pick.
The son of former NBA All-Star Kenyon Martin, K. J. is just one season removed from Sierra Canyon (Calif.) High School and just 19 years old. He is certain,
however, he has seen enough of NBA-caliber competition that hewill belong and that his decision to play at IMG Academy rather than for former NBA star Jerry Stackhouse at Vanderbilt will pay off.
“A lot of kids my age, they wouldn’t take that risk to do that,” Martin said. “I feel like I’m very prepared. Obviously, seeing my dad when I was younger and playing these past few years in NBA runs, I think it prepared me really well. This past year, I was just focusing on what I needed to work on and got stronger. I feel like I’m ready.
“Just getting my shot su
per consistent and being able to get my shot off the dribble, that was the biggest things. My athleticism is already off the charts. I knew once I got my shot down, a lot of guys are going to have to make a decision. If I’m open, they’ll have to close out hard. If they do, I’m able to go to the basket.”
Ability to attack the rim would be reminiscent of his father’s game. Martin Jr. is not only the son of the first pick of the 2000 NBA Draft and star with the Nets and Nuggets, but he also might be the first to go from the lap of his father on the postgame interview podiums to
the NBA.
“Being around it and seeing it all my life, now I’m in the situation my dad was in a way, I’m just very excited,” Martin said. “I feel like it made me a better player. People ask, ‘Is it harder for you because of your dad?” I kind of take it as an advantage. A lot of kids don’t see that type of stuff and be around NBA guys and see how they work. I took all that in and put it to use for myself. It paid off.”
The league is crowded with second generation players Devin Booker (Melvin,) Jalen Brunson (Rick,) Bol Bol (Manute,) Amir Coffey (Rick,) Steph and Seth
Curry (Del,) Jae Crowder (Corey,) Ed Davis (Terry,) Darius Garland (Winston,) Jerami Grant (Harvey,) Al Horford (Tito,) Jaren Jackson Jr., Kevin Love (Stan,) Wesley Matthews (Wes,) Larry Nance Jr., Jabari Parker (Sonny,) Gary Payton II, Austin Rivers (Doc,) Glenn Robinson III, Domantas Sabonis (Arvydas,) Garrett Temple (Hollis,) Klay Thompson (Mychal,) Gary Trent Jr., Andrew Wiggins (Mitchell,) and Justise Winslow (Ricky.)
Martin, however, will be the only one that will play for the son of a former NBA All-Star with Rockets coach Stephen Silas, the son of Paul, a topic they shared over dinner on Monday.
“When my dad was playing, his dad was coaching Charlotte,” Martin said. “It came up in conversation. My coach (Silas,) he’s been around. He’s been around guys my dad’s known. It was cool hearing their stories.”
Silas’ style differs from his father’s fiery demeanor. Martin already recognized Silas as “a very cool dude. His own style, however, will not be very different from his father’s.
“A lot of it is like my dad,” Martin said. “I’m very fiery. I feel like I have a lot of energy. I play very, very hard.”
That inspired the Rockets to move into the draft to get him. Though it was, as expected, a long night waiting to hear his name, for Martin to have been taken by a team that made the move to get a draft pick was something of a statement.
“It was great. Houston didn’t have a pick and they bought a pick for me and picked me. It meant the world to me that they trust me and did all that to get meon their team. I’m really happy and excited.
“I kind of wish I played in the summer league. But in a way, I think it will be cool to learn in training camp. Regardless, it’s an opportunity for me to learn something from guys who’s been in the league.”
It won’t be the first time.