Caleb Martin inquisitive, Council ‘an entire totally different particular person,’ extra Sixers notes
Caleb Martin inquisitive, Council ‘an entire totally different particular person,’ extra Sixers notes initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Philadelphia
In Caleb Martin’s thoughts, it could actually’t ever harm to ask cheap questions.
Head coach Nick Nurse agrees with the brand new Sixers ahead.
“I feel that he’s received a extremely excessive IQ,” Nurse mentioned Wednesday of Martin. “He is aware of tips on how to play and he additionally understands that he’s studying some new stuff. And he asks actually good questions on what we’re doing and what we’re entering into, which reveals he’s received a excessive stage of thought occurring there.”
Following his three years with the Warmth, Martin’s attempting to know the nuances of the Sixers’ schemes.
“It’s slightly little bit of a unique system,” he mentioned. “It’s a unique place. I’m simply the sort the place I don’t like to go away any stone unturned. I do know everyone’s received their very own fashion and their very own rules. I simply wish to ensure that I’m doing all the things as proper as doable, as usually as doable. So I simply ask a ton of questions as a result of I wish to ensure that I’m near the identical web page as they’re early on.”
Martin’s pre-Sixers connections have been useful as he digests all of the change.
He developed an in depth relationship with Kyle Lowry throughout their Warmth days. And Kelly Oubre Jr. has referred to as himself a Martin household “triplet” with twin brothers Cody and Caleb.
As he acclimates to enjoying alongside Oubre for the primary time, Caleb Martin is inspired by their preseason reps on the high of the Sixers’ zone protection.
“The one man he actually jogs my memory of, particularly within the zones that we’ll play, is (former Warmth and present Lakers guard) Gabe Vincent. I had such an excellent chemistry with him. I feel me and him type of perfected the highest of the zone actually quick. … Simply primarily based on the chemistry we have already got and the best way that we’re maneuvering with one another already on the high of the zone, it jogs my memory of that.
“So I’ll positively take a pair pages out of mine and Gabe’s e book and begin to attempt to implement that as a lot as doable. And (Oubre) is asking a ton of questions, too. Simply attempting to get a really feel for one another and see what works greatest for us. I feel we’re heading in the right direction with that already.”
Martin was guarded (and good-natured) when requested to match the Sixers’ zone with the Warmth’s, although he did spotlight measurement as a big distinction. Oubre’s wingspan is up there with nearly any perimeter participant’s. He formally had a wingspan barely over 7-foot-2 on the 2015 NBA draft mix.
“Can’t inform you all that,” Martin mentioned with a smile. “There’s a whole lot of similarities for certain. However I’ll say that right here, we’re greater — the zone is larger … most likely slightly bit extra athletic and simply totally different items. The fashion’s all the time going to be related; you may’t do something too totally different in a zone. However I feel we’ll be capable to cowl a whole lot of floor in ours for certain.”
Council a ‘entire totally different particular person’
Each Martin and Ricky Council IV performed in school for present USC head coach Eric Musselman.
Within the NBA, Council goals to maintain strolling a path like Martin’s: From undrafted to two-way contract participant to totally established, clearly worthwhile member of successful groups.
His head coach sees a participant that doesn’t remotely resemble a rookie anymore.
“I do know I hold saying this about Kelly … Ricky looks as if an entire totally different particular person coming again this 12 months than he was a 12 months in the past,” Nurse mentioned. “Each of them have been, ‘What the hell’s occurring? What are we doing? The place do I slot in?’ He is aware of what we’re doing. Our coaches have to remain on him to verify he actually makes use of the 2 or three (predominant) abilities he has on a regular basis. On a regular basis. However he actually feels good about his shot. He clearly feels good about going to the basket. He’s received an uncanny means at drawing fouls.
“I’d say he’s nonetheless received some progress to do on the defensive finish and it’s all simply focus and locking in, and simply by no means actually enjoyable. And once more, simply increase that consciousness takes slightly expertise.”
Council was characteristically sharp as a downhill, open-court participant within the Sixers’ blowout preseason opener win Monday evening over the New Zealand Breakers. He tallied 13 factors on 5-for-5 taking pictures, made his solely three-point try and grabbed six rebounds.
“Simply realizing the sport, realizing the place to be,” Council mentioned of his improvement since this time final 12 months. “Simply being snug on the market and never having to overthink issues. You understand to run to the nook, keep spaced. While you get it, go. Simply not overthinking issues and enjoying my sport.”
Expanded rotation a chance
Council will hope he’s a part of the Sixers’ rotation when the group’s opening evening rolls round on Oct. 23.
Whereas Nurse remains to be evaluating gamers and sorting via potential lineup mixtures, he indicated Tuesday that he’s open to utilizing 10 or 11 rotation gamers early within the season.
“I hope we’ve got that many,” Nurse mentioned. “I feel we do at this level. I feel there’s a whole lot of guys I really feel snug enjoying on the market in a sport. It does current its challenges, however I additionally suppose we have to put some thought and a few creativity into it. Enjoying greater than 9 is fairly troublesome, proper? 9, 10 is about what you are able to do, simply to maintain the stream of the subbing going.
“So possibly there shall be some nights the place sure guys play after which the subsequent evening, sure guys don’t play, and you may hold that factor type of flowing forwards and backwards. I hope that’s what we get to, however normally it types itself out whenever you’ve received 9 or 10 (rotation gamers) of these 12 out there.”
