Martin’s Agent Criticizes Fitch

Clipper guard Darrick Martin, demoted from the starting lineup by Coach Bill Fitch last month, won’t discuss it.

Martin, who is shooting a career-low 38.3% after shooting 40.7% last season, started the first 11 games before being replaced by Pooh Richardson.

Although Martin has declined comment, Lon Rosen, Martin’s agent, says Fitch doesn’t communicate well with his players.

“I can’t say that Fitch has it in for Darrick, but I can’t say that I agree with the way Fitch is handling the situation,” Rosen said. “The team isn’t playing well and Darrick started off not shooting well, but then he came around and Fitch decided to make a change.

“The team is still not winning. I think last year they played a lot better with Darrick, and Fitch isn’t handling the situation properly.”

Fitch reacted angrily when asked about Rosen’s claims.

“Darrick is playing based on his ability and not on a failure to communicate,” Fitch said. “I’ve been in this league 30 years and I can produce a lot of agents who say I communicate well.”

Rosen said that Martin likes Fitch.

But Rosen also said, “I don’t think the coach communicates well with players at times, not just Darrick but a number of the players. I think it’s easy to see that.”

Rosen said that Martin, in the final year of his contract, has been approached by other teams.

“Darrick likes this organization,” Rosen said. “There have been players who weren’t happy and left, but Darrick wants this team to be successful.

“This is a kid that likes playing on this team. I think they need more players like that. But there are other teams that have expressed interest in Darrick for next season. We’ll have to wait and see what the best situation is.”

The Clippers are off to their worst start since losing their first 16 games in 1994.