The Sports Informant

By Scott Levin
Sports Informant Contributing Writer

It has happened with many Kings stars before. It happened with Chris Webber, then Peja Stojakovic, then Mike Bibby. There came a time in each of these players’ Sacramento careers where they divided the Kings fan base. On one side, you had staunch supporters, fans clinging to nostalgia who would back these players regardless of their flaws. On the other side, you had the detractors, people picking apart the players’ every move in hopes of getting them out of town.

Kevin Martin had recently reached that stage. After being the focal point of the Kings slow rebuilding process, Martin, as he has been prone to do, got hurt. The news was met with much disappointment — until the new-look Kings took the court. Young players thrust into expanded roles brought life back to a flailing franchise. The crowd took notice.

Kevin Martin was a high-flying superstar for Sacramento before being traded today. (Photo courtesy Greg Ashman)

But eventually, Martin was ready to return. And the smooth ride suddenly turned bumpy. The Kings offense fell apart, questions about Martin’s ability to co-exist with Tyreke Evans got louder, and Martin himself struggled to fit in with the new team. And thus, Martin reached the level of Webber, Stojakovic and Bibby.

On Thursday, Martin will meet the same fate as those previous stars. His trade will surely satisfy the detractors, while supporters will lament the loss of the Kings only connection to the playoff days.

The time is right. And that’s not a knock on Martin. He is a perfect example of what hard work can do for a player. A scrawny kid from Western Carolina plucked late in the draft who was never given an inch. Not highly recruited. Little draft fanfare. Glued to the bench. Martin worked harder than any King in recent memory.

But if this situation had dragged on to the offseason, the result could have tarnished the image of someone who should be looked at as a great Sacramento King. Martin, as always, handled his departure with class, thanking the organization for the opportunity and realizing the move was best for all parties.

So on Thursday, Martin will officially leave town. Critics will rejoice, pushing aside memories of Martin carrying a derailed franchise. Judging by Rockets fans’ reactions, Martin will again have to prove himself. Nothing new. He’s been doing it for years. The Kings, meanwhile, take on the forward version of Martin in Carl Landry, a tireless worker with a constant motor. Sacramento will be fine.

Hopefully, fans on both sides of the Martin fence can look back and appreciate what he brought to the team.