K-Mart, aka Kevin Martin, not to be mistaken for Kenyon Martin, enjoys another born day today. The 6′ 7″ shooting guard won’t ever win any competition for having a smooth release, but it is effective.
Since joining the league as the 26th pick in 2004 for the Sacramento Kings, he has made a career with pump fakes, getting to the line, and using his unique release to drain shots. For as solid of a career he has made for his time in the NBA, Martin might be known more for his relationship with Jordan Brand.
When he started in the NBA, Martin joined Mike Bibby — already a Jordan Brand team member. The two would-be teammates for a few seasons, meaning the Sacramento Kings colorways were strong with Jordan. And don’t forget that before Bibby was there, the team also had Mitch Richmond, a Nike/Jordan athlete as well. Throughout his tenure with the Kings, as Martin’s stats rose so too did the look of his sneakers. Even after Bibby left, it could be argued that Martin’s PEs were better and the Kings’ white/purple/white look tends to draw a lot of attention.
Sadly for the sneakerheads, K-Mart was traded to the Houston Rockets during the 2009-2010 season. After leaving the Kings, although he has worn Jordans, his game and the teams he has played for have not made him a focus of the offense. He would go on to have sporadic offensive spurts, however, he was never again the focus for any time.
At the start of the 2012 season, the Oklahoma City Thunder acquired Kevin Martin and he transitioned to a role as an offensive threat coming off the bench and mentor for the youth. He would reach the playoffs for only the second time in his career with the Thunder, who happened to beat his former team, the Rockets, in the first round.
During the 2013 offseason, he left OKC for the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he would rejoin coach Rick Adelman, who he thrived under in Sacramento. His game got a bit better, as did his demeanor. Although the team wasn’t the greatest, K-Mart found a flow in the familiar Adelman offense. However, Adelman retired after K-Mart’s first season in Minnesota to spend more time with his family. Martin is still a part of the Timberwolves young team, bringing a positive veteran presence to the younger generation while still rocking his J’s.
G. Polite
Robbie Falchi
Aaron Nojima