Rookies Martin, Harrison offer versatility to Grizzlies
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- There may or may not have been a promise. There are no guarantees.
Jarell Martin, the Memphis Grizzlies' first-round draft pick, told NOLA.com after last week's NBA Draft that the Grizzlies told him they were going to pick him right where they did, at No. 25. Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace was quick to point out after the draft there were no promises. At Monday afternoon's press conference to introduce the former LSU sophomore -- as well as Kentucky sophomore and Martin's former SEC rival, Andrew Harrison -- Martin backed off his earlier statement.
"There was never a promise from the Grizzlies selecting me," Martin said. "I came into the workout. I competed real hard and I think my effort overall was what gained their interest in me. I came in and battled and they loved that about me."
Doesn't matter.
What does matter is the Grizzlies' need for a stretch-four, perhaps the team's final title piece. While Martin is certain to become the franchise's latest poster child for the "final piece" hype, the chances of him soon becoming the Grizzlies' sought-after Draymond Green clone is almost as good as either side talking any further about the over-ballyhooed alleged promise. A rookie last season, hyped guard Jordan Adams barely played more than eight minutes per game. Besides, the Grizzlies are thought to be pursuing potential sharpshooters in the coming days of free agency.
The hype is understandable though: Martin is a 6-foot-10, 235-pound athlete. It doesn't scream 3-point shooter, but he shot 33 percent from deep as a freshman. He went to the Tigers as a small forward and moved to the four last season.
"It translated over perfectly and it worked out fine for me," Martin said. "I was able to gain rebounds and battle down low and still use my versatility to explode past bigger defenders and make explosive plays to the rim."
Last season, Martin made 14 of his 52 3-point attempts -- 29 fewer attempts than his freshman season. He shot an overall 55 percent and averaged 9.2 rebounds as well as 1.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game.
For comparison, Green shot 34 percent from deep, averaged 8.2 rebounds and nearly four assists and 1.6 steals per game last season for the defending champs. Those numbers rose in each of his three seasons.
"I feel like I'll be able to do great, with my versatility," Martin said, "being able to be a stretch-four and making plays for myself and the team as well. I'm very excited about them. It's a veteran team. I'm going to come in like a sponge and soak in as much information and knowledge that I can gain from these guys."
Martin said he had fans greet him upon arrival at the airport. He hasn't played much basketball, either: Wallace noted after the draft the organization liked his growth in five or six years in the game.
Perhaps lost in the conversation is Harrison, a 6-foot-6 point guard capable of playing the two. He was a 37 percent 3-point shooter in two seasons with the Wildcats. Memphis traded Jon Leuer to Phoenix to get into the second round and get Harrison, over other available shooters such as Eastern Washington's Tyler Harvey.
"What sealed the deal with them is what you saw on the tape," Wallace said. "Both have unique talents, Drew being a bigger guard with the versatility to swing between off-guard and point guard and defend both positions and get in the lane and Jarell with his ability to attack the basket and score through contact and play in the open court and the productivity that he showed during the SEC portion of the season this year.
"We didn't have to talk to too many people to convince ourselves that those were two players worthy of drafting."
Martin won't play summer league, nursing a foot injury he says caused by overworking his body in draft preparation. It's a fifth metatarsal stress fracture he has been rehabbing and will continue to rehab while he watches summer league in Orlando.
There is no promise of what Martin will do for the Grizzlies, or when he will be able to do it. The only guarantee is that he is the latest attempt to fit into the ever-decreasing title chances of the fifth-oldest team in the NBA.
