Perth Wildcats' star Damian Martin has used the constant criticism of his shooting to spur him on to become a standout from beyond the arc in a role that has him a strong chance of playing for the Boomers at the World Championships after impressive performances against Argentina.
After starring in the Wildcats' championship-winning season in the 2009/10 campaign, his first in Perth, the 25-year-old point guard was always going to be a strong chance of playing for Australia at the World Championships starting late August in Turkey, but if he does it will be in a new role.
Boomers coach Brett Brown has earmarked Patrick Mills and CJ Bruton as the starting point guards, meaning that Martin is locked in a battle with Gold Coast Blaze's Adam Gibson and Steven Markovic, currently playing in Serbia, for that back-up spot to play as a shooting guard.
Brown wants those guys to be able to knock down the open shots and play strong defence. The defensive assignments have always been Martin's strong suit, but his shooting is where his massive improvement has come.
Martin got to a point where he was sick of hearing that he couldn’t shoot, so constantly worked hard on it. With it getting better, his confidence has grown and he shot 48 per cent from three-point range last NBL season.
He nailed another six three-pointers in the three matches with the Boomers and is happy with how his shooting has improved - because he knew it had to.
"If you said a year ago that I would be playing for Australia as a knock-down shooter then everyone would have laughed in your face, me included, but Brett instils so much confidence in you and I was still feeling good about my shot after last season," Martin said.
"He told me exactly what he expected and gave me all the faith to shoot the ball if I was open. Luckily enough I dropped some threes in the series. Sometimes people would joke about my shooting and think it was funny, but it does get to you and I was sick of being told I couldn't shoot.
"The coaches that really mattered to me like Bevo (Rob Beveridge) always told me that I wasn’t a bad shooter and that we just needed to work on some things. Finally with a bit of extra hard work and confidence, it has helped and I think a lot of it was mental more than anything. I'm a lot happier now that I can start to make more threes than I miss."
Martin was included for the camp in Perth leading into the series with Argentina and had a great time playing the three matches, especially last Friday at Challenge Stadium.
"It has been an awesome few weeks. I missed the camp over in Canberra because of injury and I was a little worried whether or not I'd make the camp in Perth, but I did and was just over the moon when I got selected for the three-game series. To then end up sweeping the series and to be reasonably happy with how I played it's been a great last 10 days," he said.
"It was unbelievable. Running out in front of the home crowd, especially here in Perth, wearing the green and gold was one of the highlights of my career. It just felt so amazing and it really is a special honour. It's one that you are never sure you'll be able to achieve, but to be able to do it and do it in Perth, it was just amazing."
Martin has always been a point guard renowned for his ability to run a team and play tenacious defence, but now in his role with the Boomers that has totally changed, but he is ready for the challenge.
"It was interesting to make the Australian team in a position that I'm not accustomed to, but with the style of play Brett wants to play I'm not needed to run the team when we have Patty Mills there. I was on the team to play defence and if I'm open to make some shots," he said.
"It was funny to make the team and not be the point guard, but I was just glad to be there. It actually helps because you know what plays you would run as the point so you know what they are looking for. Adjusting to the spot is a little different, but it was made a little easier for me because I have run the point guard position."
Martin is locked in the battle for the two spots and while it will be tough for whoever misses out of Martin, Gibson and Markovic, he feels it's good that at least the situation has been made clear.
"In a way it's good that you have three players competing for two spots because it makes you work so much harder to make the most of the limited opportunities you get. Hopefully come the end of July after the Gold Coast camp my name gets read out, but if it doesn’t at least I know I've given myself a good chance," Martin said.
"We all know the position we're in and Brett's been great about us knowing our role and where we stand in selection. It's been made pretty clear that the three of us are jostling for spots, but we haven’t really talked about it. It's in the back of our minds, but I get along really well with Steve and Adam, so it's one of those tough things where you know what's going on but don’t talk about it."
Martin will now join a camp in Melbourne with the Boomers' squad members still in Australia next week for some more workouts before the deciding camp on the Gold Coast later in the month where the final squad will be picked. If he's picked for Turkey, it will be a great moment for Martin.
"In between that, it will be workouts with the Wildcats and doing things on my own, but we are pretty much back in full swing now here in Perth so that will keep me fit," Martin said.
"That would be the proudest moment of my career to be able to represent Australia at a senior level at the World Championships. It would be right up there with winning gold with the Under-23s and the championship in the NBL. It keeps me up at night and motivated during the day."
