Undrafted Caleb Martin epitomizes the Miami Heat culture

May 30, 2023

Undrafted Caleb Martin epitomizes the Miami Heat culture

Caleb Martin's journey has been defined by humility. From growing up in a modest trailer in a small town to facing disrespect throughout his professional career, he has stayed grounded. Despite going undrafted and being waived by the Charlotte Hornets, Martin seized the spotlight in Game 7. He showcased his skills on both ends of the court, leaving the Boston Celtics defense regretful for underestimating him. With the Miami Heat's convincing 103-84 victory, Martin gained the respect he deserved, yet his humility remained intact.

After the game, Caleb Martin made a memorable appearance on the court. He donned a Finals t-shirt over his Miami Heat jersey, held a can of Stella Artois, and engaged in on-camera interviews with local broadcasters, with a team staffer holding his beer. Afterward, several TV journalists working at the event approached him for photos, and Martin graciously obliged, concluding each interaction by touching his heart.

"I appreciate y'all," Martin expressed his gratitude to the WSVN 7News crew.

As Martin made his way off the court, a pair of arena workers extended their fists, seeking a gesture of admiration from an opponent.

"I have to give him credit," a young employee explained to his co-worker.

"The man couldn't miss a shot," acknowledged the other.

Miami, the underdog eighth seed, proved to be the superior team in the series, showcasing their depth, which was a key factor in their success. Despite the absence of two rotational players and benching a starter, they dominated the second-seeded team on their home court in Game 7.

This depth highlights the essence of the Heat's culture, and if there needs to be a face for that culture, Caleb Martin is ready to step up.

"His character perfectly aligns with their culture," said Eric Fleisher, Martin's agent, outside the TD Garden visitors' locker room on Monday night. "He epitomizes hard work, toughness, resilience, and a positive attitude."

In the town of Cooleemee, North Carolina, the Martin family faced difficult circumstances that required them to persevere through hard work. The three Martin boys, Caleb, Cody, and their older brother Raheem, understood that their only chance of survival relied on their relentless dedication. Their mother, Jenny Bennett, single-handedly raised them and worked three jobs that barely provided a sufficient income. At times, they lived in a trailer park, and there were instances when Bennett sacrificed her own meals to ensure her boys were fed.

When the Martin twins began to excel and gain recognition as highly ranked prospects, it seemed like their basketball careers would follow a familiar path: attending elite prep schools and then prestigious Power Five universities. The brothers initially attended N.C. State before transferring to Nevada, and it appeared that their futures were secure, destined for the NBA. However, on draft night, Caleb's journey took an unexpected turn when no NBA team selected him.

In 2019, the Charlotte Hornets drafted Cody in the late second round, while Caleb had to settle for a training camp deal and later a two-way contract, which meant he would spend most of his rookie season in the G League. Prior to the 2021-22 season, Charlotte signed another wing player, Kelly Oubre Jr., and decided to part ways with Caleb Martin.

Faced with the disappointment of being waived by Charlotte, Caleb found himself in a challenging situation. He was on a minimum contract, and despite being available to any team in the league, no one chose to sign him. This experience tested his self-belief and raised questions about how he would respond. Would he let it bring him down or use it as motivation to prove himself?

According to the popular narrative, rapper J. Cole played a role in helping Martin secure a workout with the Miami Heat, but the truth is more nuanced. Martin did receive interest from several teams, including competitive ones, who invited him to compete for a minimum contract alongside other players. However, Martin and his agent declined those opportunities. It was only when the Heat expressed interest that Martin finally found his rightful place.

As Miami's head coach Erik Spoelstra emphasized after the Game 7 victory, the Heat's environment is not suitable for everyone. In other words, if a player is solely interested in joining the team for the glamorous aspects of South Beach and not willing to put in the work at the gym located on Brickell Avenue, they will struggle to fit within the organization's philosophy of being the hardest working, best conditioned, and most professional team in the NBA. This is where Martin, the undrafted, overlooked, and previously rejected player, found his perfect match. It couldn't have been a more ideal fit.

Spoelstra expressed his admiration for Martin, describing his journey as amazing. According to Spoelstra, Martin embodies the spirit of a true competitor, just like Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. He emphasized that Martin's competitive nature is evident and that he is on par with the team's top competitors.

While Butler was named the MVP of the Eastern Conference finals, there is a strong case to be made for Martin's candidacy. In Game 5, Martin joined the starting lineup, replacing veteran Kevin Love, and became a reliable three-point threat for Miami. Throughout the series, Martin displayed impressive shooting percentages, connecting on 48.9 percent of his three-point attempts and shooting 60.2 percent overall. In the decisive Game 7, Martin played for 45 minutes and scored 26 points on 11-of-16 shooting, showcasing his accuracy from beyond the arc with a 4-for-6 performance.

Butler acknowledged that to some, Martin may appear as an undrafted player who has moved through the G League and started on a two-way contract. However, Butler emphasized that within the team, they recognize Martin as an exceptional player, a strong defender, playmaker, and shot maker. They have witnessed his consistent work ethic and are proud of his achievements. Butler believes that Martin will continue to excel in the next round and won't be a surprise to anyone anymore.

Looking back at the past year, Martin's remarkable rise is quite surprising. In the 2022 conference finals against Boston, he didn't play a single minute, watching from the bench as the Celtics secured victory on Miami's home court. Yet, just one year later, Martin couldn't be kept off the court, showcasing his growth and development.

"I felt a sense of disrespect based on how I was guarded last year. It motivated me to take pride in my game and understand how they were going to defend me. They wanted me to earn their respect, and I completely understood that," Martin expressed. "My goal was to contribute in any way possible and make a positive impact to help our team reach the Finals."

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