Midseason report card: grading every Hornets player’s performance at All-Star break
By Ben Handler
Cody Martin, Grade: B-
Cody is just a rock-solid NBA role player who does all the little things and the dirty work. He’s not really exceptional at anything, but he does most things well. He’s been over-extended this year, asked to do a lot of ballhandling, starting several games at point guard.
That’s not the role he should be playing, but he did his best to fill it admirably. He’s always been a good defender and athlete and has mostly taken on the other team’s best perimeter scorer each night.
The biggest issue and obstacle holding Martin back is his shooting ability or lack thereof. Struggling this year he’s hit just 39% from the floor, 34% from three, and just 53% from the free throw line.
He’s going to need to pick up those numbers dramatically if he wants to stick in the league with a big role going forward. The shot doesn’t look bad and there’s reason for optimism, but the results just haven’t been there.
But Cody is a good veteran leader for this group to have around, one who helps set the tone on defense, perhaps as much as any player. He’ll be back next year and has a team option the following season, at which point it’ll be decision time for the Hornets.