Kelvin Kuo-US PRESSWIRE
BOSTON- The NBA rumor mill once again involves the Boston Celtics. The latest NBA rumors are involving free agent power forward/center Kenyon Martin as the Boston Celtics are rumored to be interested in his services. This rumor is probably very true for a variety of reasons.
The fact is the Celtics could use some size in their front court and Martin would give them just that. The 6ft 9 inch 240 pound monster with length that is Martin would be the perfect compliment to starter Brandon Bass. While Bass gives Boston some needed scoring, he lacks the size to both truly intimidate in the a paint defensively and rebound. Martin could come into the game and give Boston the size that lacks with Bass on the floor and thus needed rebounding and intimidation in the paint. Martin would give Celtics coach Doc Rivers the size flexibility for match ups that he has not had in a while and that would be a huge step for Boston’s championship quest.
I also know Kenyon Martin is not the Kenyon Martin of the New Jersey Nets glory years. Martin is also not the same monster that gave the Denver Nuggets a solid inside presence. I also know Martin had his worst year in the NBA last season for the LA Clippers. (The fact Martin did not look physically ready for the NBA season due to his China stint during the lockout did not help him. I imagine Martin knowing that he will be playing an NBA season will have him working out harder to be ready to play. Injuries and age have taken their toll on this once very good player.
Despite these facts, Martin still has enough left to help the Celtics. The Celtics do not need the Kenyon Martin of the past. The team has enough offensive weapons. They need a big man that would come to Boston and play the role Jermaine O’Neal could not grasp. The Celtics would need Martin to come into a game and rebound and defend in the middle with his size. If he can score off the open looks from easy feeds that point guard Rajon Rondo will give him then that would be gravy. Last season showed Martin could still give Boston that boost off the bench. Martin may have slowed offensively, but defensively he rotated well and used his size to intimidate. The fact is the stats show that the Clippers were statistically a better team with Martin on the floor last season.
The good news for Boston is Martin is still out there on the market with limited big money offers. Martin has also made a ton of money and the bi annual exception with the shot of playing for a title might just be enough to get Martin to come to Boston. Stay tuned for more on this rumor as it develops. Remember Go Green Or Go Home!!!!!!
