If you couldn’t decode that cryptic title, the Nuggets have suspended power forward Kenyon Martin indefinitely.
The aforelinked Denver Post article points out that Martin refused to play in the second half of Game 2 after playing limited minutes in the first half. The Nuggets didn’t give an official reason for the suspension, but we’re all grown-ups here, and the two are obviously related. From the article:
Karl tries to cushion the blow at the end, but he makes a pretty good point. Either you can play or you can’t, and it's obvious Martin is limited right now.
While it’s no secret I’m not a fan of Martin or his ridiculous cap-crushing contract, I can’t help but think how much better things would be for him if his name was Ben Wallace. But until you win Defensive Player of the Year, apparently, you can’t determine your own substitution patterns. You still have to listen to the coach before that. Injury or not, taking yourself out for the game seems like a pretty selfish thing to do in the playoffs. But who cares what I think?
Even more telling was the reaction of Ruben Patterson, though it’s not surprising he’s nuts enough to go on the record:
I have mixed feelings. There are way too many scapegoats in the world, and it’s gotta be tough to be in Martin’s shoes right now. But the fact is at least three of his teammates told reporters they’re not completely buying his injury excuse. Even if they don’t realize how hurt he is, that’s a bad situation.
Will the Nuggets move Martin in the offseason? I don’t know or care yet. But the intensity of the team’s reaction tells me the Nuggets will be fired up for Game 3 at home tomorrow night (8:30 Mountain, TNT). I know I am. You?
The aforelinked Denver Post article points out that Martin refused to play in the second half of Game 2 after playing limited minutes in the first half. The Nuggets didn’t give an official reason for the suspension, but we’re all grown-ups here, and the two are obviously related. From the article:
"He just doesn't practice very often," Karl said. "He just wants to play in the games. That, philosophically, just doesn't make any sense to me. I (still) think he has a big-time heart and I think he's a big-time competitor."
Karl tries to cushion the blow at the end, but he makes a pretty good point. Either you can play or you can’t, and it's obvious Martin is limited right now.
While it’s no secret I’m not a fan of Martin or his ridiculous cap-crushing contract, I can’t help but think how much better things would be for him if his name was Ben Wallace. But until you win Defensive Player of the Year, apparently, you can’t determine your own substitution patterns. You still have to listen to the coach before that. Injury or not, taking yourself out for the game seems like a pretty selfish thing to do in the playoffs. But who cares what I think?
In the wake of Martin's actions, two prominent Nuggets players, who agreed to talk on the condition of anonymity, said they had lost faith in the power forward as a teammate.
Even more telling was the reaction of Ruben Patterson, though it’s not surprising he’s nuts enough to go on the record:
"He ain't hurt or nothing," Patterson said. "He just wanted to be in the game. ... He was very angry."
I have mixed feelings. There are way too many scapegoats in the world, and it’s gotta be tough to be in Martin’s shoes right now. But the fact is at least three of his teammates told reporters they’re not completely buying his injury excuse. Even if they don’t realize how hurt he is, that’s a bad situation.
Will the Nuggets move Martin in the offseason? I don’t know or care yet. But the intensity of the team’s reaction tells me the Nuggets will be fired up for Game 3 at home tomorrow night (8:30 Mountain, TNT). I know I am. You?
Comments
Amen. I'd sort of forgotten about the 'Zo thing, but I remember how much it bothered me when it happened. That was jacked. Besides, Mourning has always seemed like ten times the warrior/tough guy Martin is. Not to mention fifty times the player.
the store.