The 03/04 season has been extremely impressive for Kenyon Martin. Martin is averaging a career high in points(17.8ppg) & rebounds(9.9rpg).And made his 1st All-star appearance. But yesterday, Kenyon Martin's season became even more impressive, when he was given the honor of Eastern Conference Player of the Month. Kenyon Martin averaged a double-double for the month(18.5ppg & 10.7rpg). K-mart also made a few jaw dropping defensive plays to secure a couple Nets victories. On 2/28/04, k-Mart made a game winning block against the heat to secure a victory. The block itself was amazing, Dwayne Wade drove hard to the hoop looking to possibly kiss a layup off the glass. But he was met at the hoop by K-mart who literally grabbed Wade shot out of mid-air. The play shocked everybody in the arena & everyone watching at home. But that wasnt even K-mart's most exciting play of the month. A week earlier against the Hornets, Kenyon Martin was a one man defensive trap. It seemed like Kenyon Martin shut down all five Hornet players on the court all in one defensive set. He started the play out by trapping Baron Davis bringing the ball up the court. And ended the play by making by a huge block on a Darrell Armstrong 3pt attempt. But the most impressive part of the play was k-mart had to run all out the full leneght across court to make the block. It was one of those plays that people in the arena will be talking about well after the season is over. Those 2 plays just represent what type of month & overall season K-mart has put together. K-mart was truely a beast in the month of Feb. And his heart & fight led the Nets to a NBa best 11-2 record for the month. When thinking of the Nets, most people think of Jason Kidd. But Kenyon Martin is slowly emerging as the Nets emotional leader. Well deserved award for Kenyon Martin & the New Jersey Nets. nba.com
He's an All-Star and he's just trying to prove it. He's doing a great job. You can just imagine what this guy could be 2-3 years from now.
Martin really deserved to win player of the month.He is still improving and will just get better and better.And that block was amazing.
It's not even a once in a season thing for him. He seems to make the impact plays each and every game. You can count on him to make the greatest defensive play down the stretch an you can count that Kidd will look for him if he can't take a shot for the game winner.
He's having a really good season, proving that he's becoming a great player in the league. He's playing with his heart night after night, and now it really pays off. He had some struggles early in his career, with the broken leg and then the season with the technicals, but now all his efforts are paying off. I wonder if he will stay with the Nets after this season, since he will be a free agent. If the Nets are smart they will resign him, but they know they have to pay max money, and they refused to do that last summer.
Last summer was different. KMart WAS a probable All-Star. Now that he is and is playing like it, we have to give it to him.
