The veteran free agent signing was one of Philadelphia’s best two-way players in the opening loss to Milwaukee.
When the Philadelphia 76ers signed Caleb Martin to a four-year, $35 million contract this summer, it was regarded as one of the best value signings in free agency. I think most people viewed the Sixers’ projected starting lineup heading into the season as Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre Jr., Paul George, Martin, and Joel Embiid. Then, head coach Nick Nurse tinkered with a bunch of different lineups during the preseason, but with Embiid and George both sidelined for the regular season opener, it was a bit surprising to not see Caleb among the starting five. Nurse commented on it during pregame availability:
Nurse says that he thinks Caleb Martin is “definitely” one of their top five players and bringing him off of the bench is about the energy he brings and the look it gives them. Still expects him to play starter type minutes https://t.co/OPKD2nSnvt
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) October 23, 2024
Martin went on to back up Nurse’s ‘top five’ comment, recording 12 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and one block in 37 minutes. Nurse swapped Martins at halftime and had Caleb start the second half in place of KJ. The Sixers head coach spoke after the game about that decision:
“I just thought that the biggest problem in the game for us was offensively, I mean defense was probably below average as well. I just thought maybe he could spark us a little bit more offensively than KJ [Martin]. It’s tough because it puts you in a real bad size problem against a really big team. You put Caleb Martin on Giannis [Antetokounmpo] and that’s a pretty big size advantage, he was fighting like heck, he fought him pretty hard, and just committed some fouls that kind of stuff.”
As Nurse alluded to with his ‘spark’ comment, Martin flashed a ton of energy on both ends of the court. His four offensive boards were second on the team to Andre Drummond, as the Sixers flipped one of last year’s roster’s biggest weaknesses in grabbing 17 offensive rebounds to the Bucks’ eight.
Caleb Martin sneaks around Giannis Antetokounmpo when Antetokounmpo doesn’t box out, grabs an offensive rebound and finds a cutting Kelly Oubre Jr. for a basket. pic.twitter.com/9UrO4S2Rlp
— Adam Aaronson’s clips (@SixersAdamClips) October 24, 2024
Martin discussed his offensive rebounding in his postgame availability:
“We’ve always kind of preached that since I’ve been here. Crashing the boards, always trying to get extra opportunities, I think that’s one thing I have a knack for at times. Especially with a team like that, they can get out and run with guys like Giannis [Antetokounmpo], who require a lot more attention in transition. It’s a give-and-take when trying to crash the boards, and definitely do it in the smartest way possible. He’s always preached that early on and allows us to be free guys like me, and [Kelly Oubre Jr.] and Ricky [Council IV], and all those guys who can keep plays alive. He’s always kind of preached that early on.”
Caleb also showed his flexibility on the defensive end, taking the extremely difficult assignment on Giannis at times, as well as guarding some smaller opponents. His block of Pat Connaughton was one of the Sixers’ highlights of the game:
Most impressive defensive play any Sixer made tonight was this block by Caleb Martin. Absolutely remarkable closing speed on the Connaughton corner three. pic.twitter.com/Wn734EBxo6
— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) October 24, 2024
After the game, Martin talked about the team’s defensive performance:
“I think we did solid. I think just on our end, the guys that are on the floor, just a little bit more attention to detail. There’s things that happen through the gaps that I feel like we went over that we didn’t execute as well as we should have and then we can, and we’re capable of. I think that’s part of the first game. That’s part of not overreacting with a lot of new faces on the team and understanding a lot of guys have a lot of experience on this side. We don’t need to overreact. We have to continue to get together and go through that type of stuff. Clean some stuff up and I think we’ll be good.”
Obviously, it wasn’t all roses in a Sixers’ loss, and Martin was critical of himself for his three turnovers. He discussed the team’s growing chemistry with all the new pieces:
“Not bad. You know I was kind of disappointed in myself on a couple of plays. I feel like I had some opportunities that slipped through my hands and I’m typically not one that has turnovers like that, for the most part. So those are plays I have to clean up myself and that’ll be even better when it comes to the turnovers. I think, as you said, we have a lot of new faces, it’s a good thing we have a lot of good pieces to put together and to orchestrate that stuff, but I think there’s a ton of positives, there’s some stuff we need to clean up obviously. I think there are a lot of positives we can take from tonight too and that’s part of the game with a lot of new faces. Games are going to happen like that. It’s about how quickly you get everything situated to move forward.”
Martin clearly looks to be a productive addition for this Sixers roster. Hopefully, the team will have him available for tonight’s game in Toronto, as he’s currently listed as probable with a right calf contusion.