Kenyon Martin Express Reactions to NBA Players Physical Play Nowadays
The former NBA All-Star Kenyon Martin said that NBA players nowadays are more on flopping than physical play when they playing on defense.
If Kenyon Martin to be asked if he plays again, he said he is no longer sure if he can still play in the NBA today. Not because he is tired or weak, but because he thinks the era of league enforcers is over.
“When I watch NBA games now and see some of the calls — and some of the non-calls that these guys complain about — I’m blown away. I always tell people, “I never could’ve played in this generation,” he said.
“I didn’t know how to flop or how to not play defense. I never backed down from anyone and I played hard defense on every possession of every game,” he added.
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“League Enforcers” are the players that are ready to fight face to face when playing defense to assure opponents can’t score. Martin added that his game was more appropriate in the ’80s and ’90s where he met strong defenders such as Gary Payton, Bill Laimbeer, and Dennis Rodman.
“I probably would’ve adapted to the shooting and stuff, but as far as my style of play, this is who I am. I’m not compromising that for nobody. People always told me that I was in the wrong generation, that I would’ve fit right in if I played in the ‘80s or ‘90s,” Martin said.
Martin played for several teams after becoming the 1st overall pick in the 2000 NBA draft, known as the starting power forward for the Denver Nuggets. He said when he first got into the league he struggled to play strong defense until the end, unlike these players in the new generation.
“I had to learn how to concede two points to my opponent (like if I picked up an early foul or was in foul trouble). I had a hard time with that; that was something I had to learn.”
Now, a lot of these guys don’t seem to care very much on the defensive end. They see a certain guy coming toward the basket and they move out of the way,” he added.
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