Every coach, no matter how experienced, comes across players who push their limits.
Byron Scott, who has worked with some of the NBA’s biggest names, once opened up about the one player who consistently gave him the most trouble.
Speaking in an interview, Scott reflected on his years on the sidelines, remembering the personalities that shaped his teams.
He mentioned how coaching different stars often came with unique challenges, from managing egos to motivating effort.
Kenyon Martin was the ‘hardest to coach’ for Byron Scott
Yet one player stood out as the toughest to handle. Not because of attitude, but because of how he approached the daily grind.
“Kenyon might have been the hardest to coach. Because Kenyon had a way of doing things. But once he gets involved in practices, then he’d give you everything,” Scott once said on his podcast.
He added: “There were days that Kenyon would come and says, ‘Coach, I’m tired.’ I was like, ‘You, what?’ Tired.”
Scott’s story highlights the fine balance coaches often have to find between discipline and understanding. Martin was full of fire but not always eager to train when the schedule called for it.
He brought intensity when the lights came on, but in the quieter moments of preparation, his motivation was harder to unlock.
Scott’s laughter in retelling the story showed that frustration and respect can coexist, especially when dealing with gifted players who compete on emotion as much as ability.
Kenyon Martin’s drive outweighed the frustration
Moments like these also show the human side of the NBA. Behind the polished performances and post-game interviews are players who fight their own routines, fatigue, and focus. The coach’s patience becomes as important as his playbook.
“He might have been one of the most difficult guys to coach because it was hard getting him to practice, but when that ball was thrown up, Kenyon Martin would give you 110% and I love that about him.
“I love his toughness, I love his grit, and a hell of a defender,” Scott continued.
The former Laker concluded: “He can guard multiple positions as well. That kid had no fear and was one of the smartest players I had. But just getting him to practice was like pulling teeth.”
Scott’s comments painted a complete picture of Martin’s personality. His competitiveness never dipped once the game began. Every possession mattered, and every defensive stop was personal..
Martin’s mindset reflected the old-school mentality that valued effort and pride over flair. He wasn’t about statistics or spotlight moments. He was about confrontation, defence, and doing the hard things that often go unnoticed.
Scott recognised that even when practice days were a challenge, game days revealed why Martin was special. In the end, Scott’s story wasn’t about criticism but admiration.
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