Kevin Martin

Overview: One of the top scorers in the NBA these days and the cornerstone of Sacramento’s future. A super efficient scorer who makes a living at the free throw line. Good height for the shooting guard position. Lacks ideal bulk for his position. Exceptionally quick and possesses fine leaping ability. Spent a ton of time working on his perimeter skills and it definitely shows. Blossoming into a great scorer. Still needs to improve his passing ability and defensive skills. Put together an impressive career at Western Carolina. Showed the raw talent to warrant a first-round selection after his junior year. Appears to be extremely coachable. Has become quite a steal.

Offense: One of the most impressive young scorers in the game right now. Can score in a variety of unorthodox ways. Will make significant contributions as a finisher in transition, a one-on-one player, a spot up shooter, and a ball handler in pick and roll situations. Doesn’t display a textbook shot in terms of fundamentals by any means, but is one of the most consistent and efficient shooters in the game, both on the catch and shoot or off the dribble. Can score from everywhere. Will knock down shots with contact, a hand in his face, and off balance. Has amazing touch and superb creativity improvising offensively. Terrific ball handler. Will get to the rim at a superb rate. Displays an extremely quick first step, and will run the floor hard in transition. A master at using shot-fakes to keep his defender off-balance. Uses his length and athleticism at the rim. Finishes at a high clip with contact despite his lanky frame. Goes to the line like a machine and shoots a great percentage. Lead the entire NBA in free throws made in 07-08. Has a terrific feel for moving off the ball and putting himself in position to make a play. Timing, awareness is superb. Not a playmaker at all in terms of creating for others, but also doesn’t turn the ball over all that much. Willingness to become a better passer could be what puts him over the hump.

Defense: An average defensive player who has good awareness and makes smart plays, but lacks a significant amount of strength and isn’t always as intense as you might hope. Possesses a below average wingspan, which hurts him being a great presence contesting shots on the perimeter. Has the quickness to keep most players out of the lane, but doesn’t get in much of a defensive stance and seems to settle for swiping at the ball excessively. Gets overpowered by stronger players making their way to the rim. More concerned with leaking out in transition at times than he is at helping his team finish off a defensive stand. Fairly solid defensive rebounder. Needs to improve on this end, just like Sacramento’s entire roster.