Caleb Martin had made a risky bet this summer, and he lost it, ultimately joining the Sixers for $35 million over four years while the Heat had offered him $65 million over five years up front…
But now is not the time for regrets for the winger, who should start alongside the new local “Big Three”.
“That’s how we fit in”, he explains to the Philly Inquirer about the sacrifices he will have to make. “This is how you complete the pieces of the puzzle. If everyone has the same goal, to average 20 points, to have the greatest number of minutes, the greatest number of shots, that does not form a team. »
At 29 years old, Caleb Martin knows very well that he is asked to be a “glue guy” around Tyrese Maxey, Paul George and Joel Embiid. Namely this player who will do the little things that we rarely see, but which tie the whole together.
Be the one who restarts the engine
“I have already shown, on the biggest stages, what I am capable of doing” he recalls, with particular reference to his 2023 conference final against the Celtics. “Especially about putting the ball in the basket. But I know that won't be my role. That's not what I'll be asked every night, and that's okay… In this league, everyone can score at a high level, you know? It's much more complicated to do the rest, when you have to make the cuts in the gaps, you have to set the screens, take the guys all-terrain, bring constant energy. When the group gives up, you have to be the one to revive it. You have to be the guy who continually restarts the engine. »
This is how Caleb Martin found his place in the league, establishing himself as a valuable starter.
“When you’re not drafted, no one asks you to come in and put up points. There are guys paid $200 million for this. Why would anyone ask you to shoot twenty points per game? So that’s how (by being the “glue guy”) we can get minutes, that’s how we can turn heads. That's how you can gain the guys' trust. And that's how you can make a career. »
| Caleb Martin | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2019-20 | CHA | 18 | 18 | 44.0 | 54.1 | 81.0 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 6.2 |
| 2020-21 | CHA | 53 | 15 | 37.5 | 24.8 | 64.1 | 0.6 | 2.1 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 5.0 |
| 2021-22 | MIA | 60 | 23 | 50.7 | 41.3 | 76.3 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 3.8 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 9.2 |
| 2022-23 | MIA | 71 | 29 | 46.4 | 35.6 | 80.5 | 1.2 | 3.6 | 4.9 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 9.6 |
| 2023-24 | MIA | 64 | 27 | 43.1 | 34.9 | 77.8 | 1.2 | 3.2 | 4.4 | 2.2 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 10.0 |
| Total | 266 | 24 | 45.0 | 35.7 | 76.2 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 3.9 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 8.5 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
