Twitter responds to Rockets rookie KJ Martin blocking Rudy Gobert on the edge

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Although he is only 6 feet-6, Houston Rockets rookie KJ Martin is quickly becoming known for his inner defense and shot-blocking presence.

In January, Houston’s athletic young candidate dismissed downtown Dallas, Boban Marjanović – who stands 7 feet, 4 inches tall – right on the edge. On Friday he did the same with the 7-foot-2 Rudy Gobert, an All-Star at the Utah Jazz. Rightly so, Twitter users went wild when he got it done. See below for a compilation of the best social media reactions.

Martin is the son of Kenyon Martin, a 15-year NBA veteran and the # 1 overall pick of the 2000 draft. As such, the younger Martin is still learning at a professional level. But like fellow 20-year-old Kevin Porter Jr., his development gives fans of the struggling Rockets something to watch in what otherwise feels like a lost season. Houston (11-24) came in on Friday with 14 consecutive losses, the longest slip since 2000.

In recent weeks, Martin has averaged 17.5 points, 11.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 31.5 minutes per game during a period in the G League with Houston’s affiliated club, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. With the parent team’s playoff hopes getting extremely distant, its development should become a clear priority as the 2020-21 season progresses.

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