Former NBA star Kenyon Martin confronted a staff member during an appearance on Gilbert Arenas’ latest podcast, accusing the staffer of mocking his stutter.
Kenyon Martin frequently appears on “Gil’s Arena,” the popular podcast hosted by the former three-time All-Star. But the latest episode was no laughing matter for Martin, who was unhappy to learn that one of the show’s production staffers had been making fun of his stutter.
Martin started by telling his peers that the staffer had been to his home before and had even met his wife and kids. The 48-year-old added that he showed nothing but “respect” for the staff member before their face-to-face confrontation.
When the staffer (referred to as “Suge”) came onto the set, Martin pulled out his phone and played a video of Suge apparently mocking his stutter.
“That’s something I have stated time and time again on this couch, sensitive subject. Sensitive subject for me, right? I drew a line in the sand a long time ago with this. There is no apology ever that as an adult that I would accept for this.”
“I came in here one day over at Gil’s house and you walked up to me and tried to apologize out the blue. I blew you off because I didn’t know what you were talking about. That’s the situation, yes or no…”
“This is what disloyalty and people who don’t respect you look like. People like him. Be careful who you invite into your home. Who you have around your loved ones and your friends and family. This is what you get. People like this.
That talk about something that is near and dear to my heart. I have a speech impediment that everybody knows how I feel about this.
Right? People that don’t have a voice think to speak up for themselves, this is what this is about. You don’t tease something that I have no control over it and think it’s ok.”
The Career
The New Jersey Nets drafted Martin first overall back in 2000. He never fully lived up to expectations but still played a big role in helping the Nets to consecutive NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003. Both were losses to the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs, respectively.
Martin earned his only All-Star nod in the 2003-04 season after averaging 16.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. He averaged double-digit points in nine of his 15 NBA seasons.
Martin also had stints with the Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks. He retired after the 2014-15 season, appearing in 11 games that year for the Bucks.
Kenyon Martin drew a line years ago about his stutter. A staff member crossed it. The result was one of the most uncomfortable moments in recent podcast history and a reminder that some things aren’t jokes, no matter the setting.