Alijah Martin's breakout game earns trust but not a rotation spot yet
The second-year guard scored a career-high 27 points in Milwaukee but must stay ready for fluctuating minutes.
TORONTO · Alijah Martin delivered a career-best performance for the Toronto Raptors on Friday, but it has not secured him a steady place in the rotation. The second-year guard scored 27 points on 9-of-11 shooting, including 6-of-7 from three-point range, in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks. His effort came with Kawhi Leonard, Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley sidelined by injury. Martin's mother was in attendance to see the breakout game, which set personal highs for points, minutes and three-pointers made.
Head coach Darko Rajakovic said the performance gives the team more confidence in Martin but his playing time will vary. "Sometimes it's gonna be five minutes, sometimes it's gonna be 25 minutes, but definitely that game gives confidence to coaches and his teammates that he can be looked (at) more," Rajakovic said. Martin, who was on a two-way contract last season and played for the G League's Raptors 905, acknowledged his journey back from knee surgery this summer has been long. "Just feeling all the way 100 per cent, and that pop, that explosiveness is still coming back," Martin said.
He said the respect from veteran teammates after the game meant a lot. "Those guys, I grew up watching them. They've been in the league for a while," Martin said. "So just getting respect from them means a lot." His focus remains on staying prepared for whenever his next opportunity arrives. "If you’re a worker, you naturally want to stay ready," Martin said. "They have these (programs) and stuff that they put you through, and if you apply that to your day-to-day work, you’ll be ready."
Rajakovic emphasized that Martin, now on a standard NBA contract, must continue developing. "He needs to continue developing and getting better," the coach said. "This is his first year of being on a regular contract. Definitely after this performance, he's putting more attention (on himself) that we know that we can count on him." The Raptors face a demanding stretch of schedule, beginning Monday night at home against the Memphis Grizzlies.
With files from Sportsnet