Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Boston coach Doc Rivers admitted Monday that the team gave heavy thought to adding Martin, but never pulled the trigger. Instead, the Knicks signed him to two 10-day contracts beginning in late February and have since added him for the remainder of the season.
Martin is averaging 8.6 points and 5.3 rebounds over 23.1 minutes per game for New York, starting six of the 11 games he’s played for them. The Celtics host the Knicks in the first of two games in a six-day span on Tuesday night at TD Garden.
“I think Kenyon’s been great,” admitted Rivers. “He’s been absolutely fantastic. I’m happy for Kenyon. I’m not happy that he went to the Knicks, but I am happy for him. Because he was out there and we looked at him — a lot of [teams] looked at him — and, in the end, I didn’t care where he ended up, I just wanted him to do well. I don’t know him well, but we’ve always had a very good relationship. Guys like that, you want them to do well. For me, it’s as simple as that.”
Why didn’t it work out for the Celtics and Martin?
“I don’t know,” said Rivers. “We looked at all the guys, we were still looking at guards at the time [after losing Rajon Rondo and Leandro Barbosa to season-ending injuries]. So we were in no hurry at the time for a big. We were looking for more a big of size, if you know what I mean. And by the time we got around to it, he was gone.”
I read countless emails, tweets and comments over the past 2-3 months asking why the Celtics weren’t pursuing Kenyon Martin.
I assumed the 35-year-old Martin was finished. He was forced to play in China after an awful 2011-12 season with the Clippers. His previous season in Denver was mediocre at best. If Martin was any good, somebody would have signed him, right? Hell, Rasheed Wallace and Kurt Thomas had jobs. Like left-handed pitchers, big men will always be at a premium in the NBA.
After unloading Jason Collins for Jordan Crawford, the Celtics replenished their front court by signing DJ White and Shavlik Randolph. Two guys capable of eating up minutes, but unlikely to impact any games. Meanwhile, Martin is playing well and has been exceptional in his last two games; 18 points, 7 rebounds vs Toronto and 19 points, 9-10 FG, 11 rebounds vs Toronto.
While I’ve always respected Martin’s defensive tenacity and toughness, I’ve never been a fan of his personality (or that absurd tattoo of lips on his neck).
But I think it’s obvious. The Celtics blew it. Martin could be helping this team.
Related: CSNNE – Martin showing C’s what might have been
The rest of the links:
Herald – KG injury not so swell | Pierce, Celtics gear up for Round 3 | ESPN Boston – Power rankings: C’s slide 5 spots | Get right, stay right | Globe – Garnett sidelined | WEEI – 5 reasons not to panic | NY Times – In East turf battle, high ground remains in dispute
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