Read that again: Kevin Martin dominated O.J. Mayo … on defense. Kevin Martin. On defense. Kevin. Martin. Defense.

I hate to invoke evil, but that was a Kobe-like performance. (Maybe not … Martin did have four assists, after all.) Martin was the Alpha and the Omega on the court nearly the entire span — save a few moments at the end of regulation, when Udrih-to-Hawes and Hawes-to-Udrih dropped jaws (and panties, no doubt). Maybe it was the sold-out home debut, or just the right tingling in the fingertips. Maybe that helps explain the offensive explosion.

But I have reason to believe the defense was real.

Martin has played defense better than at any point in his career so far this season. He has been burned on some bad gambles while playing for the steal, but overall has been much more active and disruptive than ever before. He's keeping his man in front of him. He's offering help defense. He's talking. He's listening. He's doing everything a good defender needs to do. And while he may not be strong enough to muscle up bigger two-guards or even small forwards — I wouldn't look forward to Martin marking Danny Granger, for example — if he can continue this level of quality defense all season, he's an easy All-Star, and well worth his salary … and then some. If he can keep doing this, the Kings can keep winning.