Few Nets gamers have generated extra buzz in current weeks than Tyrese Martin. Lengthy thought-about a roster lengthy shot, he’s drawn reward for his regular play, scoring bursts and flexibility in coaching camp.
Combating to carve out a task, he’s made an impression that teammates can’t ignore.
“Tyrese has really been probably the most impressive player that I’ve seen on the team so far,” Michael Porter Jr. mentioned. “Because I didn’t know a lot about him, but he’s been consistently killing through scrimmages, through open runs. He’s a player that can slide in that point guard place but can also play the 2. He can pass the ball. He’s been really impressive.”
Martin joined the Nets as a coaching camp invite final season and shortly earned a two-way deal. His regular play, together with a 30-point efficiency in a street recreation in opposition to the Phoenix Suns in November, led Brooklyn to transform his contract to a normal NBA deal in February.
The 26-year-old is now on a two-year contract value about $2.8 million, a testomony to how far he’s come since arriving in Brooklyn. He averaged 8.7 factors, 3.7 rebounds and a pair of.0 assists throughout 60 video games final season whereas taking pictures 40.6% from the sphere and 35.1% from 3-point vary.
Nevertheless, the numbers inform solely a part of the story. These round Martin say his greatest leap has come from inside — in his conviction and understanding of the sport.
“He’s been great, shooting the ball well, playing confident, and that’s the biggest thing,” Ziaire Williams mentioned. “I feel like he’s just gained a lot more confidence. He knows his body right now really well, knows what he needs to work on and stuff like that. So yeah, he’s been good.”
This offseason, Martin zeroed in on consistency and element. He hung out sharpening his reads with the ball in his fingers, emphasizing steadiness by making choices off two toes and staying aggressive on offense. Above all, he’s targeted on trusting the work he’s already put in, assured he will be efficient in both guard spot.
Head coach Jordi Fernández has seen that work translate. He praised Martin for his “super pro” habits, the sort of steadiness Brooklyn hopes to mannequin throughout its younger roster, and famous his improved deal with and decision-making, together with the identical taking pictures contact that after made him a standout at UConn.
“Consistent not just on his work, but also his personality and how he behaves,” Fernández mentioned. “Even keeled. Never too high, never too low. Always a good example for the rest [of the team]. Doesn’t say much, but when he does say something it’s meaningful. All of those things are important for today and also for what we’re trying to build in the future.”
Martin appreciates the reward, however he is aware of nothing is promised. A two-year deal indicators the entrance workplace’s religion in his potential, but with out full ensures, safety remains to be earned, not given. With Brooklyn over the 15-man restrict, he’ll must maintain proving he belongs.
“I’d never say that I’m actually on a solid footing,” Martin mentioned. “Even when things are guaranteed, stuff is still not guaranteed, especially in this business. So, that’s just been my mindset all the way out and through.”
Nonetheless, Martin made it clear how a lot the chance means to him. After bouncing between contracts and preventing for stability, he lastly feels settled in a spot that values what he brings. That sense of belonging, he mentioned, makes the grind value it.
“I love these guys, I feel like they love me the same way,” Martin mentioned. “It’s fun being here. This is the first coach and team that actually gave me an opportunity, and I feel like I’ve held up my end, and didn’t make them look crazy for giving me an opportunity. So, it would be fun to stay here and make this my home, for sure.”
