Caleb Martin inquisitive, Council ‘a complete totally different individual,' extra Sixers notes

Caleb Martin inquisitive, Council ‘a whole different person,’ more Sixers notes initially appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

In Caleb Martin’s thoughts, it will probably’t ever damage to ask affordable questions.

Head coach Nick Nurse agrees with the brand new Sixers ahead.

“I feel that he’s obtained a extremely excessive IQ,” Nurse stated Wednesday of Martin. “He is aware of 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 obtained a excessive degree of thought happening there.”

Following his three years with the Warmth, Martin’s attempting to know the nuances of the Sixers’ schemes.

“It’s a bit little bit of a special system,” he stated. “It’s a special place. I’m simply the sort the place I don’t like to depart any stone unturned. I do know all people’s obtained their very own model and their very own ideas. I simply wish to ensure I’m doing the whole lot as proper as attainable, as typically as attainable. So I simply ask a ton of questions as a result of I wish to make it possible for 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 a close relationship with Kyle Lowry throughout their Warmth days. And Kelly Oubre Jr. has known as himself a Martin family “triplet” with twin brothers Cody and Caleb.

As he acclimates to taking part in 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 chemistry with him. I feel me and him type of perfected the highest of the zone actually quick. … Simply based mostly 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 undoubtedly take a pair pages out of mine and Gabe’s e-book and begin to attempt to implement that as a lot as attainable. 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 check the Sixers’ zone with the Warmth’s, although he did spotlight dimension 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 combine.

“Can’t inform you all that,” Martin stated with a smile. “There’s a whole lot of similarities for positive. However I’ll say that right here, we’re greater — the zone is larger … in all probability a bit bit extra athletic and simply totally different items. The model’s all the time going to be related; you possibly can’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 positive.”

Council a ‘entire totally different individual’

Each Martin and Ricky Council IV performed in faculty 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 priceless member of successful groups.

His head coach sees a participant that doesn’t remotely resemble a rookie anymore.

“I do know I maintain saying this about Kelly … Ricky looks as if a complete totally different individual coming again this yr than he was a yr in the past,” Nurse stated. “Each of them had been, ‘What the hell’s happening? 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 ensure he actually makes use of the 2 or three (predominant) expertise 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 obtained an uncanny capacity at drawing fouls.

“I might say he’s nonetheless obtained some development 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 build up that consciousness takes a bit expertise.”

Council was characteristically sharp as a downhill, open-court participant within the Sixers’ blowout preseason opener win Monday night 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 figuring out the sport, figuring out the place to be,” Council stated of his growth since this time final yr. “Simply being comfy on the market and never having to overthink issues. to run to the nook, keep spaced. Once you get it, go. Simply not overthinking issues and taking part in my recreation.”

Expanded rotation a risk 

Council will hope he’s a part of the Sixers’ rotation when the crew’s opening night rolls around on Oct. 23.

Whereas Nurse remains to be evaluating gamers and sorting by way of potential lineup combos, he indicated Tuesday that he’s open to utilizing 10 or 11 rotation gamers early within the season.

“I hope we’ve that many,” Nurse stated. “I feel we do at this level. I feel there’s a whole lot of guys I really feel comfy taking part in on the market in a recreation. 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 perhaps there can be some nights the place sure guys play after which the subsequent night time, sure guys don’t play, and you’ll maintain that factor type of flowing forwards and backwards. I hope that’s what we get to, however often it kinds itself out whenever you’ve obtained 9 or 10 (rotation gamers) of these 12 accessible.”