From undrafted rookie to playoff hero for the Miami Heat, Caleb Martin's journey is inspiring 👏 Story from andscape's MarcJSpears:
BOSTON – With his 2023 Miami Heat Eastern Conference finals hat tilted to the left and a white T-shirt to match, Caleb Martin bobbed his head to the beat of Rick Ross’ “The Boss” as it blared energetically in the victorious visiting locker room.
Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin stands on the court after the Heat defeated the Boston Celtics 103-84 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals May 29 in Boston.While Martin averaged a career-high 9.6 points and 4.8 rebounds for Miami this season, his playoff ascension was certainly not expected. On April 16, the Heat entered the playoffs as a major longshot — an eighth seed playing two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Eastern Conference’s top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks.
Said Heat center Kevin Love to Andscape: “He stepped up his game in a way that championship players do. He could’ve easily have been walking away with that trophy, but he’s all about the team, the team, the team.”What makes Martin’s playoff series against heralded Boston even more stunning is he didn’t average over 12 points in either of the first two playoff series.
Caleb Martin ended up signing an Exhibit 10 contract on July 31, 2019, with the Hornets, joining his brother in Charlotte. The Hornets upgraded him to a two-way contract on Oct. 19, 2019. Caleb Martin averaged 5.3 points and 16 minutes per game in 71 contests with the Hornets from 2019 to 2021, and also spent time with the G League Greensboro Swarm.
Uncertain about his NBA future, a nervous Martin next went to Miami, where he took part in scrimmages. Miami veteran Udonis Haslem was quickly impressed by yet another undrafted player that fit right in. Heat center Bam Adebayo wasn’t surprised by what he saw from his fellow Carolinian. The Heat signed Martin to a two-way contract on Sept. 14, 2021, which eventually was upgraded to a contract for the remainder of the season. Martin believed the “Heat Culture” and “underdog mentality” was a good fit for him. He also said the player development that the Heat are renowned for helped him grow. The Heat rewarded Martin with a three-year, $20 million deal last offseason.The signing of Martin has more than paid its dividends for Finals-bound Miami.
Indonesia Berita Terbaru, Indonesia Berita utama
Similar News:Anda juga dapat membaca berita serupa dengan ini yang kami kumpulkan dari sumber berita lain.
Perspective | Undrafted Caleb Martin is the new poster boy of Miami Heat culturePerspective: Becoming the Miami Heat’s Game 7 hero was the next step in Caleb Martin’s improbable rise.
Baca lebih lajut »
Butler helps Heat to 103-84 Game 7 win over Celtics and spot in NBA FinalsJimmy Butler scored 28 points and Caleb Martin gave Miami 26 points and 10 rebounds in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals to help the Heat beat the Celtics 103-84.
Baca lebih lajut »
Boston Celtics look to join rare company by overcoming 3-0 deficit against Miami HeatThe Boston Celtics are on the precipice of accomplishing something that has never happened in an NBA playoff series.
Baca lebih lajut »
The Miami Heat’s Long Shot Journey to the NBA FinalsThe Heat became just the second No. 8 seeded team to make it to the Finals, after the New York Knicks did it in 1999.
Baca lebih lajut »
Miami Heat rout Boston Celtics in Game 7 to reach NBA FinalsBoston • No unprecedented comeback, no last-tick miracle, no cavalcade of higher seeds is going to prevent these Miami Heat from playing for the NBA title.
Baca lebih lajut »
Analysis | The Miami Heat’s playoff run is the NBA’s most surprising in 35 yearsAnalysis: Based on the opening series prices of each playoff round, the Heat were given less than a one percent chance to reach the NBA Finals.
Baca lebih lajut »