Hornets’ Cody Martin had increased his level of activity. So how close is a return to action?
.JPG "(L-R) Charlotte Hornets Gordon Hayward, Cody Martin, PJ Washington and Mark Williams watch the team battle the Washington Wizards during first half action on Monday, October 10, 2022 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC. The Hornets hosted the Washington Wizards in NBA preseason action.")
Inside a small Southern California gym nestled in a neighborhood filled with lush green lawns and dotted with expensive vehicles, Cody Martin works up a lather under the watchful eye of Jay Hernandez.
Hernandez, an assistant coach with the Charlotte Hornets, points to a spot and has Martin run to it so he can hoist a jumper. Hernandez directs Martin to another seconds later, calling for Dennis Smith Jr. to join him on the court at Santa Monica College for a little one-on-one action in the post.
Martin, who has logged only one minute this season and missed the past 32 games recovering from a left knee injury, is still working his way back from Nov. 11 arthroscopic surgery. He’s ramped up the activity lately and is slowly inching closer to joining the active list.
“It feels good just because I haven’t been able to get on the floor for a little while, to be able to get like that,” Martin said, beads of sweat pouring off his forehead as if he just walked indoors from a soaking rain. “The staff is doing a good job of getting me back, staying consistent, and I’ve been really patient with it to make sure it’s right before I get out there. I’ll continue to keep doing that until I get to where I need to be.”
Charlotte coach Steve Clifford is just as eager as anyone for Martin’s return. The Hornets swingman can be an invaluable piece for Clifford, a noted defensive-oriented coach, in his system. He has the skillset to be utilized in various ways.
“To me he’s just a winning player,” Clifford said. “He plays both ends, he has a good IQ. He shot the ball really well last year and he’s obviously a plus defender. He’s tough, he can guard the ball, he’s a good team defender. He can guard primary scorers ... there’s not many guys like him. He’s a throwback kind of guy. So yeah, I think he can give us a big lift.”
Martin spoke with The Charlotte Observer about his rehab process, a potential timetable for his return, when he’ll know he’s completely healthy and more.
Roderick Boone: Seems like you are getting closer to a return …
Cody Martin: I’m trying to get back as fast as possible, whenever that is. Obviously you want a target date, but it’s hard to set target dates on injuries and procedures and stuff like that. So, I’m making sure that my body is right, my mental is right, making sure I’m in the right place to get back out there. … I feel a lot better. I’m just still working on it and I’m trying to get back as quick as I can. I’ve made a lot of progress.
Q: What was the process like to find out exactly what was going on with your injury?
A: It (stinks) because I set personal goals for myself and one of them happened to be to play every game. That’s what I wanted to do, because I take pride in that, and I just don’t like sitting out. But I’ve just kind of took the situation for what it was and have basically just been trying to approach it as much as I can in a positive way mentally.
Q: It’s got to be tough when you see the team is struggling on defense and that’s one of your strengths. How much are you champing at the bit to get out there and help?
A: Always, man. I’m always trying to get out there and I’m always trying to find ways to help us defensively. We are right there and we’ve just got to find a way to get over the hump. We’ve really got to put that first and make that a priority for us because when we do, we showcase that we can play really well on both ends of the floor. I don’t think offense is really ever a problem for us. So, if we can really hone in on the defensive aspect of our game, I think it will take us to another level.
Q: What has the rehab process been like?
A: It’s tedious. Basically just coming in every morning, twice a day for a little while, just trying to get my knee right doing manual therapy. And then I’ve got to a point where I’m able to move some, get on the court, strengthen it, (get in the) weight room. All that stuff. ... Just continue to work on it until I get to where I need to be.
Q: I see you shooting pregame and in practice. How does it feel to know you are going in the right direction at last?
A: You are getting antsy because you feel like you can see the light at the end of the tunnel and you are just kind of wondering when that breakthrough is going to be where you are good to go and you are going to be cleared. But I’m just going to try to stay consistent ... with my rehab and continue to work. The staff is doing a really good job to get me there, being consistent and proactive with things I need to help me get out there as quickly as I can.
Q: How have your teammates helped keep your spirits up?
A: They know me, They know I’m not one just to sit out and just prolong the process. So, they know how I feel about it. But they also know that I am going to be supportive of what we have here and what we’ve got going on, and make sure I can do whatever I can or say whatever I can to help our team in a positive way. They’ve done a really good job of asking me how I’m doing, just understanding the process.
They’ve either even done it themselves or known guys that have done it. ... Just, in general, with the rehab process it can be tedious, it can be tiring, it can be annoying. But I’m just trying to stay on top of it consistently and just basically have some positive vibes.
Q: How will you know when it’s time?
A: You know as a player what you are capable of doing and obviously going through this process you are not going to be there from the jump. It’s a fine line between understanding that you are ready and you don’t have rhythm or you are just not being oblivious to certain things that can be built up to be hindering, where it’s like then something else is hurt or I’m injured because I’m trying to compensate, playing through things I probably shouldn’t be.
And that’s where the staff is really doing a really good job. ... They are going to trust me and know where I’m at ... understanding and listening to my body.
