MINNEAPOLIS -- When it became clear to Kevin Martin that returning to Oklahoma City wasnt an option, one of his first thoughts was to reunite with Rick Adelman, the coach who got him started in the NBA in Sacramento and later helped him become an offensive force in Houston. Dave Pacella Jersey Store . As much as Martin wanted to play for Adelman, who will begin his third season as coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves in October, it still wasnt exactly clear to him if the desire to get back together was mutual. Adelman is one of the most accomplished coaches in the game, and also one of the hardest to read. He rarely shows much emotion and is known as much for a curmudgeonly demeanour as he is for his famed corner offence. That question was emphatically answered when Martin came to Minnesota in July to sign a four-year deal that will pay him nearly $28 million. "He gave me a hug," Martin remembered on Monday at his introductory press conference. "As we all know Rick, hes not the guy to do anything like that, so thats when it kind of hit the stamp on my decision." Martin played for Adelman during his first two seasons in the league with the Kings, then spent two more years getting coached by him in Houston. In their final season together, Martin averaged 23.5 points, shot 38 per cent on 3-pointers and attempted more than seven free throws a game for the Rockets. When Adelman left, Martin didnt fit in with new coach Kevin McHales system, and he averaged 14 points per game last year in a supporting role with the Thunder. Now back under Adelmans tutelage, and playing for a team that desperately needs more scoring punch in the backcourt, Martin is ready to resume his role as a go-to scorer. New Timberwolves president of basketball operations Flip Saunders made adding size and 3-point range at shooting guard his biggest priorities, and it didnt take long for him to zero in on Martin after having discussions with O.J. Mayo and J.J. Redick as well. Martin shot a career-high 42.6 per cent from 3-point range last season and knows Adelmans offence -- built on an intricate web of passing and cutting without the ball -- as well as anyone. Saunders said Monday that they were looking for a guy who could give them 17-18 points a game at the spot next season after years of dealing with underperformance at that position. "I have no pressure doing that," Martin said. "I feel I can do that in my sleep." Martin said it will be a challenge to get back to the 23.5 he averaged in Houston in 2010-11, but he is shooting for 22 per game. If the Wolves get that kind of production to go with Ricky Rubio, the healthy return of Kevin Love and the anticipated re-signing of restricted free agent Nikola Pekovic, their first playoff berth since 2004 could be well within reach. As much as Saunders is looking forward to Martins production on the court, he is also anxious to see the impact his presence has on a young locker room. The 30-year-old is entering his 10th season and has built a reputation as a hard worker and good locker room guy. Martin has already reached out to first-round draft pick Shabazz Muhammad, who was kicked out of the NBAs rookie transition program last week for violating event rules by bringing a woman to his hotel room. Saunders said the team wont impose any more discipline on Muhammad, who will have to attend the program again next year. "The biggest thing in any situation where there are rules and guidelines, you have to abide by them," Saunders said. "That shows discipline. As I explained to him, part of being successful at our level is being disciplined, both on and off the court." For now, Martin is headed back to Florida to start a six-week training program with longtime trainer David Thorpe and several other NBA players, including new teammate Corey Brewer. He knows that if he wants to play bigger minutes and have bigger responsibilities at his age, he cant afford to take any short cuts. "Im hungry for it," he said. Notes: Saunders has been granted permission by the Washington Wizards to talk to assistant GM Milt Newton about a position in the Timberwolves front office. ... F Robbie Hummel, G Othyus Jeffers and G Lorenzo Brown, have all received invites to training camp, Saunders said. Don Wells Jersey Store . The Browns coaching search remains incomplete. Bill Baumgartner Jersey Store . Jon Montgomerys gold medal in skeleton at the Whistler Sliding Centre and his subsequent auctioning off of a pitcher of beer in the village square elevated him to folk-hero status. https://www.chinacheapjerseys.net/alfred-malone-jersey-store/ . -- James Young couldnt wait to apply those tweaks to his jump shot, and the first one he made against UT Arlington told him it could be a good night. Friday night was another case of close but not close enough for Western Sydney, held to a 1-1 A-League draw by Brisbane thanks to their own wastefulness and Michael Theos safe hands.If A-League points were awarded for promise, then the Wanderers wouldnt still be seventh on the table, with a fifth draw in eight games and yet to triumph at Spotless Stadium in four.Their second half at their temporary home ground, led by marquee playmaker Nicolas Martinez, would likely rate as their strongest yet except for a late 10-minute spell from Brisbane.Yet the Roar, despite ceding copious amounts of territory and possession, claimed a valuable point to remain third, courtesy of striker-in-the-headlines Jamie Maclaren.Maclaren put this weeks contractual impasse to one side to earn and then convert a first-half penalty, before Japanese import Jumpei Kusukami settled the score on 56 minutes with his first A-League goal off a teasing Jack Clisby volley.But despite the abundant chances - the Wanderers had 18 shots to the Roars seven - this contest was far removed from the goal-happy affair of last seasons epic 5-4 extra-time thriller.Holding the lions share of the ball and territory, the hosts again showed elements of real quality but were regularly let down by one too many a touch or misplaced pass.Gilt-edged chances came and went for Kerem Bulut and Brendon Santalab among others, while Martinez, who played raider alongside Mitch Nichols, drew a superb save from a busy Theo. Dennis McKinnon Jersey Store. At the other end, No.2 gloveman Jerrad Tyson pressed his case as Andrew Redmaynes replacement by denying Brett Holman with skill.Moments later, he botched it by lunging at Maclaren in the box, an error of judgement that was perhaps a symptom of nearly three years on the sidelines.Maclaren capitalised, sending Tyson the wrong way from the spot.They could have crumbled, but Tony Popovics men sprang into life after the break.Scott Neville was a blistering outlet on the right flank but, unsurprisingly, Martinez orchestrated the equaliser, playing an intelligent ball into the path of an onrushing Clisby, whose subsequent cross presented a straightforward tap-in for Jumpei.Popovic couldnt help but wonder how a second win of the campaign had evaded his side.Weve wondered that a few times this year - more than a few - but thats football, he said.Again, we showed how good we are without the result.Roar coach John Aloisi admitted there was a lot left wanting from his teams performance.We ended up inviting pressure by sitting so deep, Aloisi said.It wasnt our plan but the Wanderers pinned us back and we couldnt get out, then - when we did get the ball - we didnt keep it for long enough.But when youre not playing well, you need to somehow grind out a result, and we did do that so thats a positive. 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