HIS WAIT, AND WEIGHT, IS OVER; SLIMMED-DOWN MARTIN HELPS BEEF UP CLIPPERS.

Byline: Gary Washburn Daily News Staff Writer

It's not clear if the Clippers' early season slump was the cause or the effect of Darrick Martin's personal slump.

The Clippers stumbled from the beginning of the season, going 1-12. Martin, the starting point guard, posted equally bad numbers, averaging nine points a game and shooting 36 percent. His poor showing earned him a seat on the bench.

Only now, 34 games into the season, have the Clippers and Martin begun to correct themselves. The team has posted four wins in five games to bring its record to 9-25 going into tonight's game against the Lakers. Martin has raised his game and he's returned to the starting lineup.

``It was a struggle at the beginning,'' said Martin, in his second year with the club. ``But it's a slump that everybody goes through. I have snapped out of it.''

Before the season Martin was handed the starting position because of his potential as a scorer, something the offensively challenged Clippers desperately need. He even added 12 pounds in the summer at the request of coach Bill Fitch to become stronger, enabling him to better defend the league's top point guards.

A subpar training camp only hinted at what was to come. Against Jason Kidd in the opener in Phoenix, Martin missed all nine shots he attempted.

Against Kenny Anderson the next night, Martin missed 7 of 10 shots. Against Houston three days later, he missed 6 of 10, and the slump was on.

Even Martin's free-throw shooting - something he excelled on in his first season - was affected. It dropped from the NBA's ninth-best percentage (87 percent in 1996-97) to 78.

``We miss Darrick hitting that dependable jumper,'' Fitch said. ``It jump-starts our offense when he's a threat from the outside.''

Fitch ended up benching Martin in favor of veteran Pooh Richardson, who provided defense but very little offense.

``It was a frustrating time,'' Martin said. ``I got off to a slow start and all of a sudden I was on the bench. I just wanted to get things straightened out before it went further.''

Martin's struggles actually began before the season started. It began when his contract - a one-year deal signed in the 1996 with an option - was up for renegotiation.

According to sources, Martin and his agent, Lon Rosen, asked for the Clippers not to honor the option. Martin wanted a new deal starting this season and promised the Clippers he would sign a contract. Instead, the Clippers picked up the option, paying Martin $400,000 this year instead of the $347,000 he made last season.

Martin, who wanted a long-term commitment from the Clippers, was displeased. Now, he's one of four free agents the team will have to deal with in the summer.

Ironically, the weight Martin worked so hard to gain might have contributed to his undoing. Though he looked bigger and more muscular, his quickness suffered.

``We have watched Darrick on film and he looks faster lately,'' Fitch said. ``Maybe it was the weight in the early going. But 3 for 9 (Martin's shooting line on Wednesday), that's not going to cut it. We need better.''

Wednesday's poor outing aside, Martin has become the player the Clippers remember from last year. His averages are up to 11 points per game and 40 percent from the field.

He's averaging 12.2 points since his return to the starting lineup, including 18 in the overtime loss to the Lakers last month.

While the early season slump has cost Richardson and the team a chance at the playoffs, the next 48 games are crucial to Martin's career, to either ensure himself a sizeable contract with the Clippers - or someone else.

``I never lost my confidence,'' said Martin. ``I have kept everything in perspective and worked out of it. I can see the difference from the beginning of the season.''

CLIPPERS VS. LAKERS

Tipoff: 7:30 p.m., at the Sports Arena.

TV/Radio: Channel 9, Fox Sports West 2; KLAC-AM (570), KEZY-FM (95.9); K-LITE-FM (92.7).

Clippers (9-25) update: Bill Fitch and his team can expect a rare sellout crowd - one that's coming to see Shaq and company, not to see the Clippers try to get their fifth win in six games. Brent Barry scored 22 points Wednesday against Vancouver, upping his average to a team-leading 15 points per game. Forward Lorenzen Wright practiced with the team on Thursday but is questionable with a sprained knee ligament. Wright scored a career-high 32 points Dec. 26 in the overtime loss to the Lakers at the Forum.

Lakers (26-8) update: It will be Shaquille O'Neal's first appearance against the Clippers this season and only the third in the last seven games against the crosstown rivals. O'Neal is averaging 29.7 points in three games since his return from an abdominal strain. He'll match up with his less-popular counterpart Stojko Vrankovic. The Lakers welcomed back Corie Blount on Wednesday after missing three games with a badly sprained ankle. He'll help out against Wright.

- Gary Washburn

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

Photo: Darrick Martin, center, has jump-started his season and that of the Clippers with a better scoring average and shooting percentage.

Hans Gutknecht / Daily News

Box: CLIPPERS VS. LAKERS (See Text)