MINNEAPOLIS -- When it became clear to Kevin Martin that returning to Oklahoma City wasnt an option, one of his first thoughts w

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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. Karim Benzema Real Madrid Jersey . 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. Raphael Varane Jersey . The Blue Jackets announced the injury through their official Twitter account Friday afternoon. Gaborik, 31, has scored five goals and six assists in 17 games with the Blue Jackets in 2013-14. Fabio Coentrao Jersey . Bryce Harper? He also came into Wednesday without a long ball and hadnt driven in a run. He was hitting .160, had nearly three times as many strikeouts as hits and was dropped to seventh in the batting order. http://www.realmadridsoccerpro.com/Authentic-Cristiano-Ronaldo-Real-Madrid-Jersey/ . The Brazilian-born strikers brace drew him level with Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo as the leagues leading scorers with 17 goals apiece through 16 rounds. "The important thing is to help the team win, not the goals," Diego Costa said. After a first half dominated by defence, Atletico pressed Valencia into its area and Diego Costa did the rest.ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Thanks in part to pinch-hitter Jerry Sands, the Tampa Bay Rays are feeling a little better about themselves. The reserve utility man came off the bench to provide the game-winning hit for the second straight game, delivering a two-run homer that helped the Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-4 on Monday night. Sands first homer since Sept. 20, 2011, when he was with the Los Angeles Dodgers, came off Brian Matusz and snapped a 3-3 tie. Yunel Escobar hit a solo homer in the first and Ryan Hanigan added a two-run drive in the fourth for a 3-0 lead against Orioles starter Wei-Yin Chen. "Its big," Sands after the Rays won for the fourth time in five games following a stretch in which they dropped 14 of 15 and fell to last place in the AL East with the worst record in the majors. "Obviously this team has been struggling to get some wins lately, so its fun to be the guy that does it for the team." Adam Jones homered for the second straight day for Baltimore, hitting a two-run shot in the sixth off rookie Jake Odorizzi, who allowed two runs and three hits over 5 1-3 innings. Delmon Young had a pinch-hit homer in the ninth off Juan Carlos Oviedo, who got the last three outs for his first save. Sands, who broke three bats while singling in the eighth inning to drive home the winning run in a victory at Houston on Sunday, went deep on a 2-0 pitch after Matusz replaced Darren ODay (2-1), who departed with a runner on and two outs. The 26-year-old, who has five career homers, was 1 for 9 as a pinch-hitter with Tampa Bay before the past two at-bats. "This guys done a nice job off the bench," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "I know hes going to be aggressive ... and I know hes not going to be intimidated by the situation." The Orioles had just tied it in the top of the eighth with a run charged to Grant Balfour, loading the bases with two singles and a walk before Nelson Cruz delivered an RBI infield single. Baltimore nearly took the lead when pinch-hitter Steve Pearce lined a pitch down the left field line, but the ball landed foul. Two pitches later, he grounded into a force play, letting Jake McGee (3-0) off the hook. "Its such a fine line. Stevies ball barely misses the chalk line there," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. Danilo Real Madrid Jersey. "Of course McGee is one the better relief pitchers in the league. Our guys have been doing a good job out the pen, too. Its frustrating." The Orioles announced before the game that two-time All-Star catcher Matt Wieters, who hasnt played since May 10, will have season-ending surgery on his right elbow. Showalter said the team is hopeful Wieters, who was examined Monday by Dr. James Andrews, will be ready for opening day next year. The Rays nearly wasted the second straight solid start for Odorizzi, who held St. Louis hitless until two outs of the fifth inning of a 1-0 loss last Tuesday. Matt Holliday homered for the only run of the game, Tampa Bays third consecutive shutout loss during a stretch in which they went 31 straight innings without scoring. Since ending the streak, the Rays have scored 24 runs in five games. "We won a really tough game (Sunday), we won a really tough game here tonight," Madden said. "When you start believing youre going to win games late, thats a good feeling to get. Thats when you start getting good again, and we did." Odorizzi allowed Hardys single and a walk with two outs in the second, escaping the jam by fanning Ryan Flaherty. The 24-year-old right-hander retired eight straight after walking Nick Markakis in the third, with the Orioles right fielder interrupting the string with a double leading off the sixth. Jones hit his 12th homer one out later, ending Odorizzis night and trimming Baltimores deficit to 3-2. NOTES: A moment of silence was observed before the game in honour of Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, who died Monday. ... The Orioles plan to activate RHP Miguel Gonzalez (strained right oblique) from the 15-day DL to start Tuesday nights game against Tampa Bay LHP Erik Bedard. Both are 3-4 this season. ... Showalter agrees with Maddon that a team shouldnt lose a replay challenge when the contested call stands instead of being confirmed. "A great idea," Showalter said. "Hes right. A lot of times they just say theres nothing conclusive. You may be right, but we cant overturn it. So, why should you be penalized for that?" ... Rays RHP Jeremy Hellickson (right elbow surgery) is scheduled to make his third minor league rehab start Tuesday, when Triple-A Durham visits Louisville. NFL Jerseys China ' ' '