Martin Keeps His Chin Up

After the Clippers signed free agent point guard Sherman Douglas on Thursday, starter Darrick Martin, who re-signed with the team on the first day of training camp, viewed the move as a business decision.

“It was the Clippers making a decision for the Clippers. Someone looking in, I think you know how I feel,” said Martin, who signed a one-year deal for $500,000, compared to Douglas’ one-year contract for $2.5 million.

“I’m just going to keep playing and not worry about it. I think that I had a very good training camp. I think that I’m ready to play. I’m ready to lead this team.”

Last season Martin started 63 games and averaged 10.3 points and four assists. Douglas, who played for Coach Chris Ford at Boston and Milwaukee, averaged eight points and four assists last season for New Jersey.

“I know that I can start in this league and be very productive. . . . That’s my own focus,” said Martin, who began his fifth NBA season Friday night. “Whatever else that surrounds me, the outside stuff that I can’t control, [I can’t worry about].”

*

The Clippers’ starting lineup against Phoenix included Lamond Murray and Rodney Rogers at forward, Lorenzen Wright at center and Eric Piatkowski and Martin at guard. Michael Olowokandi, the No. 1 draft choice, checked into his first NBA game with 1:44 remaining in the first quarter and missed his first shot. Olowokandi then made his two attempts in the second quarter and recorded his first blocked shot when he swatted away an attempt by the Suns’ Marko Milic. Douglas played four minutes and did not score but had two assists.