HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610)- Over and over during his rookie season, opposing players attempted to throw down highlight reel dunks over Rockets forward K.J. Martin, but were more denied more often than not. Martin blocked 1.4 shots per 36 minutes last season, and while that number is down through the first 11 games of his second NBA campaign, that's a good thing, according to Rockets head coach Stephen Silas.
"This year, he's not getting quite as many spectacular blocks because he's early to help. He's, he's there, and not late."
Most of Martin's numbers have declined in the early stages of this season, but it's not because he's gotten worse, his opportunities have decreased. With the Rockets roster down to scraps last season he averaged 23.7 minutes per game, that figure is down to 14 so far this campaign, but that's something Silas hopes to change.
"He's earned minutes, and with our depth that the four and five, figuring out a way to get him on the floor is a priority."
Martin is behind Christian Wood, Daniel Theis, and Alperen Sengun in the Rockets big man rotation, and with only 96 minutes to divide up between the Rockets bigs, Silas has opted to use Martin as a wing, a role he's handled well so far, especially at the defensive end.
"He's done much better this season than he did anytime last season guarding perimeter guys," Silas said. "That's been a focus of ours with him, and he is coming along. I'm not where he'll be, but his help defense has been really good. I don't think he's missed a low man assignment all season, and that's a big jump for him."
Minutes are going to be tough to come by for Martin with the Rockets at full strength, but just because his floor time is down doesn't mean the Rockets don't view him as part of their future.
