“I think having some big time scorers like Kevin and Russell makes it easier, because I can have off nights like this and we can still win. That’s the beauty of all this. I know in the past if I had six points, we’re getting beat by 40.”
For 3 1/2 years in Sacramento and 2 1/2 in Houston, Martin was a scoring machine, once pouring in 50 points in a game. Now, however, he is content being the decoy, the guy who goes off to the side and lets Durant and Westbrook take center stage.
While his average of 15.9 points is still among the league’s top 40, it is his lowest since 2006.
“It’s not always me standing in the corner,” claimed Martin, who – in sharp contrast to the way Harden was used – hardly touched the ball in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s win. “But shooting like I did tonight, I deserve to be in the corner.
“I’m just trying to be as efficient as possible whatever role I’m in. It’s not tough at all.” 
Overhearing this from the next locker, Durant playfully piped in.
“He likes his role,” the three-time scoring champion said. “Don’t put it in his head it’s a bad role.”
Later, Durant turned serious.
“Coming from averaging 25 points a game, being the main guy, to come and take a backseat to two youngsters, it takes a man to do that,” Durant said appreciatively. “That’s what he’s doing for us.
“I’ve got to respect him for that. Our chemistry’s getting better day by day. We’ve added a guy who averaged 20 in this league four years in a row (actually five). That speaks volumes about the player and person he is. He’s come here and sacrificed shots, minutes. I’m happy he’s on our team.”
Not as happy as Martin is to be there, playing for a team that has loftier goals than just making the playoffs, something he’s done only once in his career.
“It’s something I don’t mind doing,” said Martin, who has assumed Harden’s role as sixth man. “I’m just happy to be here and sacrifice whatever they want me to sacrifice to get us back to the Finals.
“We won at Houston, but never at this kind of level. We were winning to just try to get to the playoffs. It’s a lot different playing at a championship level. It makes you appreciate the game a lot more. I know the microscope this team’s under. But I’m still in my grace period. I’ve been here less than 30 days.
“In three more days, I won’t have any excuses.”