So if Damien Martin was a different player, could he make NBA, basically? lol.

Well, he reminds me of Chris Goulding, in that one part of his game is NBA standard and the rest isn't. Chris Goulding is NBA level offensively and nothing else, and Damien Martin is NBA level defensively and nothing else. But if we're talking about them as their skill sets stand, neither could make the NBA.

Gotta be honest.
I think having Martin on your bench, could be an interesting strategic option, if you wanted to shut down an opposing guard who was ripping you apart. But doubt he could play big minutes due to lack of offense.

And would that warrant a spot on the roster? Probably not.

He's not an NBA level defender, period, forget about the "what if" he could shoot. Tenacity and will power on defense can only cover for so much when it comes to his lack of length and athleticism.

Credit where credit is due, in the NBL he's one of the best defenders we've ever seen, and if he's a 5 out of 10 physically and athletically and his opponents are maybe a 7, he can cover them, but the NBA guards are all 9s and 10s, and that's a gap too large for even his determination to cover.

Goulding is only an NBA level shooter. He's got NOTHING as a playmaker

If he were more athletic, a better ball handler, playmaker and scorer AND was a sniper with a quick-release jumper, then yes, he probably could have.

Obviously not. Jazz 130 v Wildcats 72. Ouch.

LOL @jumpshot Damien Martin didn't even play in the Jazz game

In a word: NO

Haha, very aggressive responses to a legitimate hypothetical. Weird af behaviour

A hypothetical player who was Chris Goulding on offense and Damian Martin defensively, could've been an NBA starter. Martin is a stud defender and CG is one of the few NBL players who has legitimate NBA 3 point range on his jumpshot.

Having said that, Goulding's defense improved last season. He's a more well rounded player than he used to be. But he has lost a touch of his agility- which was never remarkable to begin with- so any NBA prospects are long behind him. But he should remain a quality NBL player for years to come.

"and if he's a 5 out of 10 physically and athletically and his opponents are maybe a 7, he can cover them"

Damo in his prime was way above a 5/10 physically. His speed, anticipation, strength and long arms made him world class. Re whether he could play NBA, his shot aside his ball-handler and ability to run an on-ball were never at that level.

I coulda been an NBA player if I was a foot taller*

*and if I had about 50% more athleticism, 100% more talent and 1000% more work ethic. Aside from all that though, I reckon I'd be fine.

LOL @jumpshot Damien Martin didn't even play in the Jazz game"

I know, and the guy 10 times better than him, Cotton, looks SH#t.

Always puzzles me that a guy like Martin couldn't shoot. He went to the AIS for a year and had 4 years of college.

I mean you'd think that environment (Especially the AIS alone) for a PG would make him a decent shooter..500 shots a day surely? with expert coaches being able to fix/re-fix mechanics?

Some players just don't have it. Shaq had some of the best shooting coaches in the world working with him and, while at times it helped him shoot a bit better, he was never able to keep it going. And thats just free throws.

Martin's worked hard, as shown by the fact a poor natural shooter can have seasons shooting in the mid-high 40s from 3p land - which he does almost every year Perth win the title - but someone who it doesn't come naturally for is always going to struggle with contested shots.

My Initial thoughts were no but with Delly making it, I think he would be a great training player (think of a young superstar point guard going at him day after day, there is no way that the superstar wouldn't improve going against Damo's tenacity day after day) and as a 11th, 12th man on a roster I think he'd have a good decent (Sean Marks type) career.

Would having this career mean he'd make more Boomers teams?

Possibly could've in his prime