Kenyon Martin: “If we lock in on defense, the sky is the limit for us”
Your coach George Karl has said you bring an IQ to the game that is important to the Nuggets. Karl calls you the quarterback of the team’s defense. Could you talk about the defensive mindset that you bring to Denver?
Kenyon Martin: Everybody can’t score in the league and you have to be able to do something different. I have always been known as a defensive player, paying attention to detail mostly, helping with the game plan, how we should play pick and rolls or post up. I always tend to draw the assignment of the tough post player. I just try to do all I can to make sure we are successful.
Early in your career you went to the NBA Finals in consecutive seasons (2002 and 2003) with the New Jersey Nets. As a young player, what was that experience like?
KM: It was a great experience. We came up a little short. The team we put together in New Jersey and the way we were playing, it was just an exciting time. Even though we came up short, just getting there was fun for myself and the Nets.
Denver advanced to the Western Conference finals last year, losing 4-2 to the Los Angeles Lakers. The first two losses in that series were by a combined eight points. Have you closed the gap with the Lakers and can you emerge out of the Western Conference?
KM: We were good last year. We threw two games away and made mistakes late in the game. I like our chances. I liked our chances last year. I think their experience was the deciding factor but I like our chances.
Can the Nuggets earn a berth in the NBA Finals without making any deals?
KM: I think so. We have a great team in place. As long as we get better each and every game we play and every month we play and learn from our mistakes… As long as we get the team to focus in on the defensive end because we can score with anybody in the league… If we lock in on defense, the sky is the limit for us.
What has it been like to see the continued progression of Carmelo Anthony?
KM: He works hard and when you work as hard as Melo does you have great results. He works extremely hard all summer long and during the season and I think he is trying to get us over the hump and he is putting his best foot forward. And we are all trying to help him because we’re trying to do it as a team. You can’t do it by yourself.
You have had microfracture surgery on both knees. Could you talk about how you were able to overcome such a difficult procedure twice?
KM: Just always focusing in. Knowing you are a part of sport, I just locked in and did all I could to make sure I did not let it get the best of me. It’s a very, very difficult surgery to come back from and I had two of them. A lot of people don’t make it back from the first. I have been blessed. The good Lord has blessed me to be mentally strong first and foremost. I just put my best foot forward with rehab and got my mind together.
You are still a double-figure scorer, but are scoring less than you did earlier in your career. It seems that you don’t feel you need to score in order to make an impact.
KM: That is true. If I have the opportunities to score I will take advantage of it but I try to do everything defense, pass and everything I can to make sure we are successful. If the opportunity presents itself that I have to go out and score a few games, I will. I am still capable of doing that, but I am just looking to make us a better team.
Today’s Headlines – 12/8/09 | North Station Sports Said,
December 8, 2009 @ 11:56 am
[...] Hoops Hype: Kenyon Martin: “If we lock in on defense, the sky is the limit for us” [...]
jmals Said,
December 8, 2009 @ 4:20 pm
Is it just me or does anyone else have a hard time taking him seriously with the lips on his neck? Seems like a nice enough guy and a good player. Hope they do make it to the conference finals again so the Lakers can break their hearts once more. I think the mile high thing is an extreme advantage for them at home, and they got whupped in game 6. They are the 2nd best in the west in my opinion.
Skraight Up Said,
December 8, 2009 @ 5:09 pm
They’re very solid actually, and I do agree with most of Kenyon’s comments. He and CB are 2 of my fav’s in the league…I just don’t see them beating L.A. in the Western Conf. Finals. They would have to: A) stay healthy B) Mello would have to be the same Mello we saw early in the season / he’s slipped a bit lately C) JR, Bird, AC, and the young fella Lawson has to come in and give them bigtime minutes.
don Said,
December 8, 2009 @ 8:00 pm
just wait and see…
and jmals, i really do hope they meet in the playoffs, so that once and for all the world will see that the championship that Kobe got was nothing but a lottery win.
About charlotte bobcats, wallace, denver nuggets, game | Find me About Said,
December 8, 2009 @ 10:29 pm
[...] Your coach George Karl has said you bring an IQ to the game that is important to the Nuggets. Karl calls you the quarterback of the team’s defense. Could you talk about the defensive mindset that you bring to Denver? Kenyon Martin: Everybody can’t …Read Original Story: Kenyon Martin: “If we lock in on defense, the sky is the limit for us” R… [...]
Matt Said,
December 9, 2009 @ 10:49 am
I love Denver’s chances against L.A. this year.
“Denver advanced to the Western Conference finals last year, losing 4-2 to the Los Angeles Lakers. The first two losses in that series were by a combined eight points.”
That comes down to FT’s, turnovers, and little things. With the way Melo is playing and working, the Nuggets are way more efficient.
I’m sick of people dogging on teams (including the Nuggets) about how they’re defense isn’t as good as can be or dogging on D Wade cause his production is down. Its effing December, most teams coast early to save on bodily energy and stamina. If you look at San Antonio and L.A.’s schedules, they go on the road come all-star time. That’s when the real grind begins and that’s why those teams are who they are. If you don’t think that means anything, look at the Nuggets and Lakers 4th quarter numbers. They stay in striking distance the whole game, then pull it together and put the opposition down in the last period.
As for the Denver/L.A. matchup
Billups/Derek Fisher - Two clutch shooters, one happens to be smaller and older….
Kobe/Afflalo - Sure Kobe wins the matchup, but Afflalo will make him work which can add up come crunch time.
Melo/Artest - Melo better make Artest look old if they stand a chance to win. With Kobe and Artest on the wings, it will be tough but Melo has the size advantage.
Pau/Kenyon - Pau is one of the best big men in the game, going against one of the best big men defenders in the game.
Bynum/Nene - I like this matchup for both. In transition, Denver has the upside. Nene is one of the better passing big men in the league. But Bynum has the size and the advantage in the half court.
Denver has the bench advantage in my opinion. Odom and Chris Andersen compliment their respective teams extremely well. Shannon Brown is completely underrated and should be getting more minutes than Farmar, but J.R Smith is the best bench scorer in this series. He can stretch that defense, and a hot hand = 8 points in 1:30. Ty Lawson owns Farmar in all categories except Farmar has postseason experience (in the NBA…We all know who won that tourney last March though.)
Simon S.Y Lawy Said,
December 9, 2009 @ 8:50 pm
IF i’m a bit of a hard worker, i’ll be a billionaire…LOL
knowitall Said,
December 9, 2009 @ 10:35 pm
they have no chance of beating the lakers. The only way they can win if bryant,gasol and odom are injured.
Dentist Ventura Said,
December 17, 2009 @ 3:37 am
He’s a great player even when he was in the Nets before. He was the one guarding Tim Duncan in the finals.