Only this time, he is lobbying for his teammates.
Martin, suspended from the playoffs a year ago as the result of a halftime tirade, believes forward Reggie Evans and guard DerMarr Johnson could make an impact in Denver's first-round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs.
Neither Evans nor Johnson played in the first three games of the series, and Evans missed Game 4 to attend his great-grandmother's funeral in Florida.
Martin, recovering from surgery on his right knee, said Evans could be valuable in defending Spurs power forward Tim Duncan. Though not a scorer, Evans is an aggressive defender and rebounder who has a knack for frustrating the opposition.
Evans gained notoriety last year when Los Angeles Clippers center Chris Kaman accused him of grabbing him in the groin area. Evans later was fined $10,000 by the NBA.
"He can get up under Tim's skin," Martin said. "He treats us the same way in practice. He's going to knock us down, hold us, grab us. I think he should play. . . . I feel Reggie can help us."
Martin pointed to Evans' performance in the regular-season finale against San Antonio as further evidence that he deserves a chance. With both teams resting their top players, Evans scored 19 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in 30 minutes.
"I don't care what the meaning of the game is, rec-league, grown people, whatever. If you get 20 rebounds, that's hard to do, especially on this level," Martin said. "He was trying to prove he could play."
As for Johnson, Martin said his height (6-foot-9) and long arms would be an asset against San Antonio guards Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, who have bedeviled Denver with their ability to penetrate the lane.
In past seasons, Karl has used Johnson's length to harass smaller guards such as the 6-2 Parker. Martin and Johnson both said Monday that Denver guard Allen Iverson (6-foot) can't score on Johnson in practice.
Johnson said he did not expect to play this series, and Martin said he does not expect Evans to play when he rejoins the team today in San Antonio. Karl did nothing to refute those beliefs.
"I've dusted off players in different series, but not very often in the same series," Karl said.
There is no chance Martin will be dusted off before the start of next season. He had microfracture surgery Nov. 15 and not been cleared to run at full speed.
It was Martin's surgically repaired left knee that slowed him all of last season, and his frustration finally boiled over in Game 2 against the Los Angeles Clippers. After cursing at coaches and teammates, he was suspended for the final three games of the series.
"It was my body this year. It might have been more my attitude last year," Martin said. "It's all been bad, though. But it's the hand I've been dealt."
Martin, listed in Denver's game notes at 240 pounds, said he weighs 244 and is down to 7 percent body fat. He expects to be ready to return for training camp in October.
CAMBY HONORED AGAIN: Three days after being named NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Nuggets center Marcus Camby was named Monday to the All-Defensive first team.
"Besides winning a championship, that was the other goal I had," Camby said.
Camby, an all-defensive second-team selection each of the past two years, narrowly reached his goal. He edged Chicago Bulls center Ben Wallace by one point in the voting by NBA coaches. The media votes on Defensive Player of the Year.
Also on the first team were San Antonio forwards Bruce Bowen and Tim Duncan, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and Phoenix guard Raja Bell.
See more at www.rockymountainnews.com
