Jaylen Green, ShinKin and Christopher, the rocket's three first-round rookies, in the game against the Lakers' brilliant performance here needless to say. Compared with the first-class rookies, the Rockets' "second-year" newcomer big forward Ken Young Martin Jr., may not be as glamorous as several rookies, but his role in the Rockets is not small. In the last two games, Martin Jr. contributed 14 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 17 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists.
It is worth noting that the Rockets' "dunk" Martin Jr. has played the role of a substitute big forward for most of the past two years, and although he sometimes makes a cameo appearance in the center, he has been contributing to the No. 4 position most of the time.
Like Martin Jr.'s father, Kenjan Martin Jr., Martin Jr. is also a very physically explosive dunkman, his dunk ability is quite outstanding, although his height is not high, but in the interior line he can not only run to eat cake, but also complete a lot of incredible blocks. Especially in the game against the Jazz, the scene of giving center Gobert a big hat many times is particularly impressive.
In fact, Martin Jr. is more versatile than his father, and martin jr. was quite average in shooting ability and had no long-range shooting ability, but now Martin Jr. is one of the Rockets' most stable three-point shooters. He shot 37 percent from three-point range last season and has reached a 36 percent level this season, a rarity for a big dunk forward.
In the previous game against the Lakers, because the starting big forward Jeshaun Tate sprained his ankle and could not cope, Silas sent Martin Jr. to the court as the starter, which was also Martin Jr.'s first start this season. Martin Jr. also started 8 times last season and still did well. According to a statistic, Martin Jr. has started a total of 9 times in the past two seasons, and in these 9 games, his average data can even reach 18.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.7 blocks, shooting 52% from the field and 45.2% from three-point range.
You know, the average data of Martin Jr. in these two seasons is: 9.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists last season; 8.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists this season. In other words, Martin Jr., who has been a substitute striker for a long time, is more average. But occasionally as a center forward, Martin Jr. can often play active matches! The average of 18+8+3 per game is the best proof.
Can we assume that Kenjan Martin Jr. is better qualified for the Rockets' starting big forward position? You know, Tate is already 26 years old, and when the Rockets rebuild are basically successful, Tate is almost 30 years old, and Martin Jr. is just 25 years old. At that time, the Rockets' starting big forward position should really be left to Martin Jr., so that Martin Jr. will become Tate's "successor" in the No. 4 position.
Due to the age of young players such as Jaylen Green, Porter Jr., Christopher, and Shinkin, who are similar to Martin Jr., Tate is older and not suitable to play an important role in the successful rebuilding Rockets. Perhaps in the near future, the Rockets traded Tate and put Martin Jr. on the starting line-up, which is the right choice for the Rockets' starting lineup.