Bye Bye Rambis

I'll admit it, I've been in the "fire Rambis" camp since he was hired by the Timberwolves. But, David Kahn is an enigma. Is Kahn the prototype of a new type of sports exec? I'll save that for another time, but the word on the street (or internet, as I'm inside) is that Rambis is gone gone gone. That means the Timberwolves will no longer be hamstrung by Rambis's inability to articulate the triangle offense nor certain players' inability to comprehend their roles in the triangle offense. It also means that there will, ideally, be fewer baffling decisions regarding Kevin Love.

Next sales approach: Buy Timberwolves tickets or we will punch a kitten in the face

The Business of Sports has published some current incentives from NBA teams struggling to sign up new season ticket holders for the 2011-2012 season. While I confess that I was sold by the Washington Wizards 3-year price guarantee and enthusiastically recruited others to go in on tickets with myself and fellow JB Sports Chat blogger, Beau, I must admit - we didn't get nearly as good of a deal as the Timberwolves fans. On the plus side, we only have to watch the Timberwolves once. They have to see them every night.

The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Houston Rockets are both using the same incentive of a "Pay the Pick" pricing offer. The final price will be determined by the results of the NBA Draft Lottery tomorrow. If their team draws the #1 pick, season ticket holders pay $1 per game. If they draw the #2 pick, $2 per game, and so on. This is less of an incentive for Houston, who narrowly missed the playoffs and have only 5 chances for a top 3 pick in the lottery and probability leaves them with the 14th selection. Minnesota finished with the worst record in the league for the 2010-2011 season, leaving them with 250 lottery chances. At best they will win the #1 pick, but worst case scenario will leave the Pay the Pick price at $4 per game. Coincidentally, $4 per is the same price the tickets sell for on eBay whenever the Wolves visit the Verizon Center.

While I would love to get away with paying $43 for a full season + 2 pre-season games to see the Wizards, I still feel good about our investment. For $16 per ticket, we have great seats in the upper level, fairly close to the center of the court. That's a bit overpriced to watch the Wizards play the Timberwolves, but an insanely low price to watch the Lakers, Heat, and the Celtics. With Ted Leonsis calling the shots and a little added luck from sending John Wall to the Draft Lottery in drag, we've got a good chance at building a decent team in the next few years. And hell, even if we don't - $16 is still a bargain to watch NBA basketball. Unless of course you're driving around in the bitter Minnesota winter to see the Timberwolves. Loyal T-wolves fans, I salute you!

Corey Brewer

I'm a sucker for a candid interviewee. Corey Brewer has had a rough introduction to the NBA - team upheaval, injury, coaching change. However, he's a professional and takes it in stride - all while improving his play.

Check out this fantastic interview at ESPN.com.

On the low point of his career so far:

Probably last year when I got hurt. My rookie year, I couldn't throw it in the ocean. I was shooting about 20% my first few months. I was real down. Last year when I got hurt, it was even worse. I felt like I was finally playing defense. I came up with a good game or two. Then I got hurt.