Former number one overall draft pick Kenyon Martin was asked today on Sirius XM NBA Radio if he misses the NBA. Martin responded with a critique of today’s league:
“I miss the NBA I was a part of. I don’t know this NBA that’s going on now. It’s way different, man it’s soft. Yeah the NBA is soft now, man… It’s good basketball I guess for people [who] like that, but [I’m] a defensive guy first, so the lack of defense being played night in and night out kind of perturbs me a little bit, so it’s tough to watch at times.”
When asked why the NBA was soft, Martin responded pointed to a lack of true post players –as big men start to shoot three-pointers more and more often– as well as the way that today’s NBA is officiated.
Martin played 15 seasons in the NBA, with career averages of 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. He was an All-Star once.
Martin, at 6’9” was one of those “true post players” that are less common today. Martin was known for his tough defense and aggressive, physical style of play. Given his play style, it’s not surprising that he considers today’s league “soft.”
