Houston Rockets Kevin Martin named NBA Western Conference Player of the Week
Kevin Martin, the sixth year Houston Rockets guard, has been named the NBA’s Western Conference Player of the Week for games played between 21-27 February.
It marks the first time a Rockets player has been honored since Tracy McGrady earned the honour in 2008. In Martin’s career though, this is the second time he has garnered the top weekly prize.
Over the past six years, the primary focus of the teams playing against the Houston Rockets has been to figure out a way of stopping Kevin Martin.
However, no one seems to have discovered a way of consistently keeping him quiet.
The sharp-shooting guard, who has paced the Rockets in scoring ever since he joined the franchise, has simply been unstoppable this season.
Assuming the responsibility as Houston’s top offensive threat after Yao Ming was once again sidelined for the year, Martin has found a way of becoming an even more efficient scorer. Averaging 23 points per game, Martin is in contention to become the first
player ever to lead the league in free throws and three-point field goals made in the same season.
In the week spanning from 21st February until 27th February, the 6ft-7in guard led the Rockets to a perfect 4-0 outcome, leading the Western Conference in scoring with an average 27.3 points and shooting from the field (0.516).
In addition to his scoring prowess, Martin also chipped in with 4.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.00 steals in the week under the scanner. The highlight of the week though, came in the form of three consecutive 30-point forays against the Cleveland Cavaliers,
New Jersey Nets and the New Orleans Hornets. This feat stands as the most points in a single-season for the Rockets since McGrady recorded three in a row back in 2006-07.
Martin started the week with an average 16-point performance against the Detroit Pistons. However, he soon caught pace and exploded with a 30-point and five rebound blitz in the very next game, as he inspired his team to a hard fought 124-119 win over the
Cavaliers.
He then torched the New Jersey Nets with another 30-point blitz a fortnight later, marshalling his team to a 123-108 rout. Martin wrapped up the week by registering 33 points and four steals in a 91-89 win over New Orleans. Martin helped the Rockets overcome
a 16-point deficit in the second half and hit a pair of key free throws with 18.4 seconds left to give Houston a 90-87 lead.
Despite his offensive brilliance, Martin has yet to translate his individual success into team success. At present, the Rockets stand eleventh in the Western Conference with a 30-31 record and face an uphill battle to reach the playoffs. However, if anyone
is going to inspire the Rockets to their first playoff appearance in three seasons, it’s going to be Kevin Martin.
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