Nuggets suspend Martin for Game 3

[BAMAPHIN 22]

Kenyon Martin was unhappy about his limited playing time in Denver's playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers. Now he won't be suiting up for the Nuggets at all.

The Nuggets suspended their forward indefinitely on Tuesday night for what they called detrimental conduct.

"This is an internal matter that we will deal with in-house," coach George Karl said in a statement.

Martin, who has been bothered by knee tendinitis all season, was dejected over his limited playing time in Game 2 Monday night, when he played sparingly in the first half and sat out the second half of Denver's 98-87 loss to the Clippers.

Martin didn't arrive on the Nuggets bench until several minutes into the third quarter and then sat with a towel over his head. He left the arena without comment, but teammate Ruben Patterson suggested Martin felt he could have played and was frustrated that he had been held out.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/basketball/nba/specials/playoffs/2006/04/26/bc.bkn.nuggets.martin.ap/index.html

 

[Roman529]

There goes any chance the Nugs may have had. Melo also has been a major disappointment.....too many head cases on this team and no quality shooters.

 

[MARINO1384]

That's stupid....they should put the team over him. The Nuggets think they are punishing him but all they are really doing is hurting the team and pissing off one of thier best players which could cause future problems.

 

[phunwin]

That team hasn't looked good so far. I think this was designed at least in part to spark something. George Karl is just crazy enough to believe that benching your 2nd best player is a good way to spark a rally.

 

[FinsNYanksFan13]

I know a team in NY that would love Kenyon Martin!

 

[King Felix]

they actually play better without him so i dont know what u guys are talking about

 

[Muck]

That's stupid....they should put the team over him. The Nuggets think they are punishing him but all they are really doing is hurting the team and pissing off one of thier best players which could cause future problems.

David Aldridge(?) reported prior to last night's game that one Nuggets player said Karl would have lost the team if he didn't suspend K-Mart. Said that to a man, they wanted action taken.

 

[Muck]

I know a team in NY that would love Kenyon Martin!

Sadly, they're more likely to trade for Allen Iverson.

I kid, I kid!!

 

[MikeO]

already being reported everywhere that the Knicks are going to be interested in K-Mart in a trade.

Knicks have some expiring contracts to give up.

 

[Muck]

K-Mart is filing a grievance.

 

[Roman529]

George Karl did the right thing.

 

[phunwin]

already being reported everywhere that the Knicks are going to be interested in K-Mart in a trade.

Knicks have some expiring contracts to give up.

Sure, why wouldn't they? Martin has a long, cap-killing contract, a ****ty attitude, a bad knee and he plays exactly the same position as their best player. That might deter a GM with, you know, common sense. But not Isiah.

The Knicks won't do this, of course, but a swap centered around Jamal Crawford for Martin wouldn't be a terrible move, if they're set on getting K-Mart (I believe the Knicks would need to include some more salary to make the deal work). The Knicks need to clear that logjam of shoot-first quasi-point guards somehow, and Crawford could thrive in the more wide-open Western Conference. The Nugs would give him all the shots he wants.