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Wolves sign Martin to 10-day contractMINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Timberwolves signed guard Darrick Martin to a 10-day contract on Friday. This is Martin's third stint with the Wolves. He has played in 399 NBA games over five seasons with Minnesota, Vancouver, the Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento and Dallas. Martin has averaged eight points, 1.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists a game. His best season came in 1996-97, when he averaged 10.9 points and 4.1 assists with the Clippers. This year, Martin played 20 games in the CBA with Yakima and Sioux Falls, averaging 18.3 points and 7.3 assists. The Wolves were looking for some relief in the backcourt this week after backup point guard Troy Hudson reaggravated a sprained right ankle that has sidelined him for much of the season. Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Cassell makes strong case for All-Star gameMINNEAPOLIS (AP) Sam Cassell has spent his career putting the ball in the hands of big scorers whose gaudy stats earned them All-Star appearances. Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, Glenn Robinson and Ray Allen all were beneficiaries of Cassell's play at point guard during stints with Houston and Milwaukee. Now with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cassell's 11-season wait for an invitation to the All-Star game might finally be over. Kevin Garnett is putting up double-doubles at his regular clip. Latrell Sprewell added a spark. But it's Cassell's leadership and stats that might be most instrumental to Minnesota entering Tuesday with the NBA's best record (31-12). Players around the league know how good he is. But All-Stars are picked by fans and coaches. ``My peers don't have an opportunity to vote,'' Cassell said. ``They tell me: 'You an All-Star.''' At 34, Cassell is playing some of his best basketball. He's making the most of his minutes in a banged-up backcourt, averaging a career-high 21.1 points and 7.5 assists. He's also been fantastic in the clutch, shooting 55.2 percent in the fourth quarter over the last 30 games. ``All you have to do is follow his stats,'' Garnett said. ``He's been doing it in Houston, in the finals, in Milwaukee, wherever he's been.'' For his career, Cassell's averages are more than 16 points and six assists in 705 games. He's been to the conference finals three times and won two NBA championship rings with the Rockets in the 1990s. ``I always thought Sam was an All-Star-caliber player,'' said former Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich, whose lobbying made Cassell the 24th pick in the 1993 draft. ``He wanted the big plays.'' Cassell began his NBA career by backing up Kenny Smith and helping turn Houston into ``Clutch City'' with championships in 1994 and 1995. In 1996, he was traded to Phoenix in a deal that sent Charles Barkley to Houston _ Tomjanovich said it was one of the most painful phone calls he's ever made. The Suns quickly dealt Cassell to Dallas for Jason Kidd. And after only two months, the Mavericks sent him to New Jersey. Cassell spent two seasons with the Nets before being traded to Milwaukee in 1998. That's where he became part of his first ``Big Three'' with Robinson and Allen. All three were prolific scorers, but coach George Karl repeatedly criticized them for a lack of leadership and defensive effort. Last summer, Cassell was traded to the Wolves along with Ervin Johnson. Sprewell was added a few weeks later, and a new ``Big Three'' _ along with Garnett _ was formed. ``Other than Tim Hardaway, he's probably the best point guard I've ever played with by far,'' Sprewell said. ``It's just nice to have somebody out there that can make shots.'' And Cassell is not afraid to take them. ``I don't mind missing the big shots,'' Cassell said. ``I don't mind you guys crowding around and killing me. ... 'Cause I'm going to tell you I'm going to take it again the next night.'' Sprewell drew the most attention when he arrived in Minnesota. But Cassell has been the more consistent scoring option behind Garnett, whose Wolves have lost in the first round of the playoffs for an NBA-record seven straight years. Besides his scoring, Cassell also brings a swagger to the backcourt. The 6-foot-3 guard doesn't hesitate to drive the lane against big men, and he loves talking trash. He's never been shy around the referees either. His sarcastic grin after a whistle is as much a part of his game as his soft, mid-range jumper. ``He's just always yapping,'' Tomjanovich said. Most players who've been in the league 10 years already are past their prime. Cassell, apparently, is still getting better. ``His energy level looks really good,'' Tomjanovich said. ``The guy takes care of his body in the summer. He's a smart veteran.'' Wolves coach Flip Saunders, who'll coach the Western All-Stars this year, recently completed a letter campaign urging Western Conference coaches to vote Cassell to the roster as a reserve. The NBA will announced the results of the balloting on Feb. 3. Cassell insists he only cares about leading the Wolves deep into the playoffs. ``I'm going to have fun no matter what,'' he said. ``If I make it, I make it. If I don't, I don't.'' Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Taylor squashes Wally rumorsOn Thursday, Minnesota TimberWolves Owner Glen Taylor squashed rumors that injured forward Wally Szczerbiak was being shopped around "He's a key part of this team and our future," Taylor said. "It's unfortunate he was hurt, but when he comes back, all of us are going to love him, because he's got that outside shot, and with the other players on this team, he should be even more important to us." Via Sid Hartman of the Minneapolis Star Tribune Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Timberwolves Jan 2004 Archive
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