Pistons Coach John Kuester Is Not An Expert On Kevin Martin, Possibly The NBA
John Kuester has had his share of struggles at the helm of a consistently overmatched and underwhelming Detroit Pistons squad over the last year and change. The team lost again Tuesday to the Rockets in Tracy McGrady's return to Houston. Rockets guard Kevin Martin played a substantial role, scoring 21 points, 14 of which came in 15 free throw attempts.
That’s sort-of Martin’s “thing,” drawing lots of fouls. And, as John Hollinger points out, it’s not particularly new. Martin has drawn a ton of fouls consistently for the past five seasons. Kuester has been in the league that entire time, which makes these post-game comments (captured by the Detroit News) all the more LOL-worthy.
“I’m amazed Kevin Martin could get that many free throws,” Kuester said. “I never knew he was a post player.”
For the record, Martin’s 15 FTAs on Tuesday don’t register among his career top 20 free throw performances. Martin has had at least 20 free throws in a game four times, and at least 15 in 32 games. This wasn’t exactly a fluke.
What’s more, Kuester coached against Martin three times last season; Martin averaged more than nine free throw attempts a game in those contests, and had 12 in one of the matches.
Even more ridiculous? Kuester was a top assistant with the Cavaliers in the 2007-08 and 2008-09 season. Martin, then with the Kings, played against Cleveland three times. His free throw totals in those games: 14, 17 and 18. So in the last three seasons, Martin had averaged 12.8 free throws a game against Kuester's teams, and yet Kuester is amazed -- amazed -- Martin could get 15 in one game.
IN CONCLUSION, I would love to see the Pistons’ scouting reports on Kevin Martin and other players. Are they just doodles and Match.com print-outs? They have to be.
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