Mullin To Join Bird In Indiana

After 12 years in Golden State, Chris Mullin is starting over. He says he is rejuvenated and healthy, and ready to begin hitting shots for his new coach and former Olympic teammate Larry Bird.

The five-time All-Star, whose injuries became almost as commonplace as his pinpoint passes, was traded to the Pacers for second-year center Erick Dampier and veteran backup forward Duane Ferrell.

Mullin, speaking by conference call from New York where he was attending a family wedding, said he requested the trade.

Mullin, 6-foot-7, had one year remaining on his Golden State contract. Terms of his multiyear contract with the Pacers were not disclosed.

“I don’t think there is anyone better in the league than Chris Mullin to step in there as the second or third option and score points for you,” said Bird, who played with Mullin on the Dream Team at the 1992 Barcelona Games.

The trade for the 34-year-old swingman gives Indiana a boost in scoring at small forward and bulks up Golden State’s size and depth.

Celtics probe

The NBA Players Association says new Boston Celtics coach Rick Pitino may be going too far, too fast in his efforts to rebuild the franchise.

The union has complained to the NBA that the Celtics may be holding off-season workouts in violation of the collective bargaining agreement.

Garnett rejects $103 million offer

Not many 21-year-olds would pass up $103 million. Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett - at least for now - is one who can.

Garnett, who went from erratic rookie to All-Star in his second season, has rejected a six-year, $103 million offer, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said Tuesday.

Garnett will earn $2.1 million this season in the final year of his three-year, $5.5 million contract.

Vancouver gets scrutiny

The NBA is investigating reports that the Vancouver Grizzlies and their top draft choice, Antonio Daniels, have agreed to a contract.

If true, it could limit Vancouver’s ability to add a free agent before the start of the 1997-98 season.

The issue is sensitive because if - as expected - Daniels signs for the allowable 20 percent maximum over the rookie salary cap, it would pay him about $2.15 million this season and tie up about $350,000 that the Grizzlies could otherwise use to sign other players. Vancouver is still looking to add a shooting guard.

Scoreboard goes wild in Japan

Some NBA stars played an exhibition game Tuesday night that was so lopsided and lackadaisical that one fan yelled out, “Are you going to break a sweat, or what?”

Team Shaq, led by the Lakers’ Shaquille O’Neal, trounced Team Barkley, led by the Rockets’ Charles Barkley, 173-146 in a game long on sloppy play and poor defense.

It was the first game of two “Super Games” being played in Tokyo.

Heat-Kings trade

The Miami Heat acquired 7-foot center Duane Causwell from the Sacramento Kings for guard Gary Grant, center Matt Fish and a conditional second-round 1999 draft pick.