Media Conference after 2003 NBA Finals Game 1

New Jersey Nets forward Kenyon Martin spoke with the media after game 1 of the 2003 NBA finals. The game was in San Antonio, and the Spurs won.

Q: Do you think Byron waited too long to put you back in the fourth quarter?

Kenyon Martin: I had four fouls, man. Got to ask him that.

Q: You held Tim to eight points in the first half, what happened in the second half?

Kenyon Martin: He had a lot more touches. I went out of the game with four fouls, he had a few shots in. I just made it as tough as possible in both halves. It was tough D. Got to tip your hat.

Q: Talk about the Spurs stopping your running game?

Kenyon Martin: We had opportunities to run. They we did a decent job getting back at times. It was uncharacteristic of our team. Normally with a fast break out and we capitalize. We just didn't run the ball.

Q: Were you frustrated with the officiating in the last minutes?

Kenyon Martin: You going to pay for my fine if I say something?

Q: No.

Kenyon Martin: Well, you got your answer.

Q: Pop said in the third quarter that they did a better job of getting in front of you guys, if that's the case, how do you don't let them get in front of you?

Kenyon Martin: We did a decent job getting back on defense. These guys did their homework. They said they wanted to stop our running back. They turned the ball over in the second half and we got breaks and they got it back in the second half. Bottom line, you've got to tilt your hat to good defense.

Q: Byron said that he didn't think he needed to change anything against Tim. Did you guys do what you wanted to do and he just had a heck of a game?

Kenyon Martin: Yeah, I played him as tough as possible. I was riding him, training him, he just made tough shots. We executed our game plan when we had to. He just made tough shots, man.

Q: You guys said before the series started that you were fortunate that you would not meet Shaq, but now talk about Duncan and what you're up against now.

Kenyon Martin: He had a good game, man. Bottom line. We lost, bottom line. He had a good game. So we've got to bounce back from it.