LOS ANGELES — Kenyon Martin thought his work with the Clippers last season would have earned him a spot there this year. Despite his yeoman work in the playoffs, the Clippers declined to sign Martin, and he was a free agent until the Knicks signed him last month.
So as Martin comes back to Staples Center to face the Clippers today, likely starting at power forward, he’ll feel a little extra energy. Martin still has a place in Los Angeles.
“It’s personal,’’ Martin said. “It’s basketball. I helped them succeed last year. I thought I had a chance coming back. It didn’t work out. It’s in the past.’’
The signing has been a godsend as Rasheed Wallace and Amar’e Stoudemire had foot and knee surgeries, respectively, after Martin joined the Knicks.
Asked why the Clippers (not to mention 28 other teams) didn’t sign him, Martin, 35, said: “You have to ask them. I helped them get out of the first round [against Memphis]. Without me they wouldn’t have gotten out of the first round. Without me and Reggie [Evans], they wouldn’t have gotten out of the first round, bottom line. I hold no grudges. I’m coming here to win a game and right the ship.’’
Martin worked out in Los Angeles through February. Asked if he watched Clippers games, he said, “Hell, no.”
Martin signed two 10-day contracts with the Knicks and was signed Friday for the rest of the season. Martin said he’s out to prove he’s not a bad locker room guy, which he believes may have deterred some clubs.
Knicks coach Mike Woodson is thrilled Martin is with his team.
“He gives us one more active big,’’ Woodson said. “We’re banged up with the bigs. When we started this journey, we had more than enough bigs. [Now,] we’re shorthanded in this area. The Kenyon signing is really big for us. You don’t know about Marcus [Camby’s] health.’’
With Tyson Chandler expected out today, a starting frontcourt of Kurt Thomas, Martin and Chris Copeland is expected today. Marcus Camby looked especially vibrant in Portland as the Knicks took a 13-point first-half lead.
“That’s the best those three have played,’’ Woodson said. “Marcus played extremely well. They were solid I thought for us. If they can give us that kind of lift, it will be OK.’’
Wallace is on the trip on crutches with a boot. Woodson said Wallace is supposed to have stitches removed from his foot in three days and start rehab.