Former NBA player Kenyon Martin is back on the hardwood as a member of team Trilogy in Ice Cub’s Big3 3-on-3 basketball tournament this summer. Maybe it’s the resurgence in that competitive nature after being away from the game’s highest level, or maybe it’s the trash talker that’s always been a part of Martin’s character. Either way, the power forward went hard at former Bulls center Joakim Noah in a recent interview with the radio station Hot 97.
Trashing the Topknot
While talking about the struggling New York Knicks – whom Noah joined last summer on a $72 million free agent contract – Martin cited team president Phil Jackson’s gross inability to scout talent.
“Picking talent? That ain’t his strong suit … Listen, [Phil] gave Joakim Noah $70 million, man. Boy can’t hit his ass with both hands. I’m going to continue to go after Joakim Noah. That boy sucks.” – Kenyon Martin
Martin expanded on his point, claiming any success Noah had in Chicago was merely due to poor strategic execution by Bulls opponents. He also ragged Joakim for a particularly ugly missed free throw attempt this season. The former Nets and Nuggets star – perhaps more famous for his neck tattoo than his game – clarified that he has no personal beef with Noah.
“I got no problem with him as a person. But basketball wise? $70 million?” – Kenyon Martin
When asked what he thinks Noah’s game is worth in today’s NBA, Martin gave a look that could kill and a blunt answer.
“That skillset? The minimum! The league minimum, whatever that is. That’s his skillset.” – Kenyon Martin
Challenge
Martin, who also had a brief stint with the Knicks, even challenged Noah to a game of 1-on-1. Winner keeps Noah’s salary.
“I’ll play him for his contract. Right now, off the couch. Stephen Jackson asked Chandler Parsons, ‘I’ll play you for your contract.’ … We look at people’s skills. We feel like we should still be playing. And we can play, just [need] opportunities. And you give a guy like [Noah] that kind of money for nothing, man. If it ain’t me it could’ve been somebody else for the Knicks that could help. That man can’t do nothing.” – Kenyon Martin
Noah definitely had a rough first year in New York. He averaged 5 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 22 minutes. He only played in 46 games before being shut down for the season for arthroscopic knee surgery. The former Bull also had offseason surgery to repair the rotator cuff in his right shoulder and was suspended 20 games for taking supplements banned by the league. He still has to serve 12 of those games when healthy enough to play at the beginning of next season.
As for Martin? He scored 2 points in just 8 minutes during Trilogy’s first Big3 game against Killer 3s on Sunday.
Check out Martin’s full comments on Noah in the video below:
Will Noah respond to Martin’s challenge? If he does, it’ll probably have to wait until after Noah finishes all of his offseason rehab. He’s trying to get a knee and both shoulders back in playing shape. Poor Noah. People quickly forget he was the Defensive Player of the Year just three seasons ago. Now he’s taking shots from a guy scoring 2 points in a retirees 3-on-3 tournament. Life comes at you fast.
