CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ Charlotte Hornets rookie Cody Martin saw immediately that if you defend, NBA coaches will find you minutes, regardless of your limitations.
The veterans respect that. Center Bismack Biyombo called it Kawhi Leonard-like.
"A perfect example was Kawhi; Kawhi, when he came in, was always energetic and playing defense. As he got minutes, he evolved into more of an offensive player," Biyombo described.
"For all of us, that's what they first tell us: 'You've got to bring the defense! You've got to bring the energy!'"
Martin didn't make the instant impact the way fellow Hornets rookie P.J. Washington did, starting his first NBA game. But for a second-round pick (36th overall out of Nevada), the 6-foot-5 Martin has been very useful: He's played in 31 of 46 games, logging 20 or more minutes in 10 of those.
He still isn't much of a shooter _ just 39% from the field entering Tuesday _ but he's already elite in one NBA category: He's seventh in charges drawn with 12.
"That's an NBA skill," said Martin, who is from Mocksville. "It contributes to winning, and I know I'll have a place.
"I do things a lot of people around this league don't want to do _ things that aren't on the stat sheets, like charges and deflections. And communication on defense and offense. Always knowing what I'm (supposed to be) doing."
