Webster's Homework

[BrianFromWA]

Between now and the all-star break, I think someone (I don't know who on the staff) needs to take Martell aside and start working on his mid-range game. Over the last two weeks he's shown a pretty amazing-to-me (I didn't think he had it in him) ability to get to the rim (and blow dunks), back down SGs (and short-arm baby hooks), blow by defenders rushing out at him (and miss badly on floaters). It's kind of like Telfair...sure, he's quick enough to get by guys, but if he can finish he'd be dangerous. Except this is Webster's tertiary skill (behind long-range shooting and defense) while it was supposedly Bassy's forte.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Work like that happens in the off-season. In-season there's precious little individual practice time when you're playing 3 or 4 games a week. But, you are correct that Martell really needs to add a fifteen foot pull up J, and elbow jumper or some kind of floater.

 

[STOMP]

Martell is still at his best with his feet set and enough time to measure his J, his high release gives him an extra moment to do this. He's been getting to the rim and blowing the finish for years... or dribbling it off his foot.

STOMP

 

[Kaydow]

Martell is still at his best with his feet set and enough time to measure his J, his high release gives him an extra moment to do this. He's been getting to the rim and blowing the finish for years... or dribbling it off his foot.

STOMP

This. I've been waiting for years for Martell to develop some degree of ball handling ability. Just enough to be dangerous off the dribble. It ain't happening. If he ever DOES . . .

 

[Luther]

He seemed to do fine tonight...I understand he doesn't have certain offensive skills but what he's done for this team this year is very impressive on both sides of the ball.

 

[Kaydow]

He seemed to do fine tonight...I understand he doesn't have certain offensive skills but what he's done for this team this year is very impressive on both sides of the ball.

There is no doubt about that - he deserves a lot of credit for his play recently. All we're saying is they guy could be (a younger) Michael Finleyish if he could put the ball on the deck a little. Because there are nights when the jumper isn't falling, it's nice to have something to fall back on. Martell needs to mix in some ball handling drills this summer.

 

[Luther]

If he could put the ball on the floor and get to the line or get easy baskets...He would be scary good. The good thing is...he's still incredibly young and in my opinion..isn't anywhere near his peak.

 

[glazeduck]

I think it's asking an awful lot for our 4th or 5th option (w/ a full, healthy squad) to have a well-developed all-around game.

I think what's missing from this post is the degree of difficulty involved in the shots that he's missing -- because he's been money on his open mid-range jumpers, and the only dunks that he's "blowing" are when they're being contested and/or fouled.

I do agree that Martell needs to add a post-up game to his repertoire, it would keep teams from going small on us, but to expect Martell to learn how to turn every shot into points is more than unfair.

Think about it like this -- he's already a better defender and 3 pt shooter than Kobe. So you're expecting him to add a similar mid-range game too? Yes, he's only 23 and so he still has potential, and yes he has area for improvement in his game, but expectations like these are unfair for Martell. With Brandon, Bayless, Dre, Aldridge, Oden, and arguably Outlaw on the court with Martell, he's going to be expected to hit 3s, grab rebounds, play great D (all of which he's been killing at lately) and occasionally get to the rim.

Don't get me wrong, if he could turn into a better defending Kobe I'd be all for it, but to expect it, to act like he's a flawed player until he can play like that, is unfair to the team and Martell.

 

[STOMP]

I think it's asking an awful lot for our 4th or 5th option (w/ a full, healthy squad) to have a well-developed all-around game.

I think what's missing from this post is the degree of difficulty involved in the shots that he's missing -- because he's been money on his open mid-range jumpers, and the only dunks that he's "blowing" are when they're being contested and/or fouled.

thats not true at all... his mid-range game is poor

I do agree that Martell needs to add a post-up game to his repertoire, it would keep teams from going small on us, but to expect Martell to learn how to turn every shot into points is more than unfair.

just calling it like I see it. Outside set shot ability is good. Everything else is iffy to poor mostly due to bad handles.

Think about it like this -- he's already a better defender and 3 pt shooter than Kobe. So you're expecting him to add a similar mid-range game too?

Complete :homer: Martell's D is much improved and okay overall but hardly lockdown status. Check out the NBA All D teams some time.

I'd also counter that a significant percentage of Kobe's 3PA's are under duress at the end of the 24 second clock... almost all of MW's 3Pt looks are within the flow of the offense. Kobe also plays all of the crunch time minutes at the end of games when defenders are at their best when conversely Martell has mostly sat courtside. A 3% difference in their career 3pt%'s doesn't seem nearly enough of a difference to claim that he is flat better as those haven't been apples to apples shots.

Don't get me wrong, if he could turn into a better defending Kobe I'd be all for it, but to expect it, to act like he's a flawed player until he can play like that, is unfair to the team and Martell.

just wow... what an epic strawman

STOMP