Jeremy Lamb Says Kevin Martin Avoided Scoring to Skip NBA All-Star Weekend

The NBA has always been full of wild locker room stories, but this one might just take the cake. In a recent episode of the “Run Your Race Podcast,” former NBA player Jeremy Lamb made a bold claim about his former teammate Kevin Martin, saying the veteran scorer would intentionally stop scoring just to avoid being named an NBA All-Star.

Lamb’s story has stunned fans, not because of trash talk or on-court drama, but because of how casually Martin may have passed up one of the league’s top honors—all for a little extra time off.

“Too Many Points”: Lamb’s Wild Memory from OKC

Jeremy Lamb and Kevin Martin were teammates on the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2012-13 season. Martin, a proven scorer, was the team’s third option behind Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, while Lamb was just beginning his NBA journey.

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During the podcast, Lamb shared a moment that left him speechless at the time.

“Kevin Martin… He was a beast,” Lamb said. “Let’s say it was the second quarter, and he got like 19 points. He’d look up at the stat board and be like, ‘Damn, I got too many points.’ I’m sitting there like, ‘What? What do you mean you got too many points?’ [Martin] is like, ‘If I keep scoring, then they’ll make me an All-Star. I want that time to myself.’”

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The implication? Martin would ease up in games to avoid crossing the threshold that might get him selected for NBA All-Star Weekend. Instead of chasing accolades, he allegedly prioritized rest and personal time over the mid-season festivities.

Kevin Martin’s Career: Productive but Never an All-Star

While the claim is surprising, it’s also true that Kevin Martin never made an All-Star appearance in his 12-year NBA career. Still, his numbers were impressive:

• 17.4 points per game
• 3.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists
• 43.7% FG, 38.4% from 3PT

Martin was known for his smooth shooting form and ability to score in bunches, especially during his prime years with the Sacramento Kings and Houston Rockets. He later played for the Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs, before retiring without that elusive All-Star nod.

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The idea that a player of his talent might have avoided such recognition has sparked debate. Some fans find the story hilarious; others are stunned that a player would pass up such a milestone. Either way, it offers a unique look at how player mentality can differ—especially when it comes to managing workload and expectations.