Posted August 14, 2009    

•Corey Brewer

•Ralph Sampson III

•Fran Tarkenton

•Tim Herron

•Joe Mauer

Rambis Sees Brewer as Defensive ‘Stopper’ 

The hiring of Kurt Rambis as Timberwolves coach looks like a positive for 6-foot-8 small forward Corey Brewer.  Rambis spoke about Brewer as his “stopper” earlier this week and that’s a welcome sign for the former No. 1 draft choice who played in only 15 games last season and was less than sensational his rookie year of 2007-08.   

Season three is significant for Brewer who is a hyper defender, poor shooter (38 percent in two seasons) and is recovering from a knee injury that caused him to miss 67 games last season.  After 94 games as a pro, the NBA knows Brewer’s career depends on finding a role as a defender.   

That sounds like a fit for Rambis.  “He can guard three positions (presumably small forward, point and shooting guard),” Rambis said earlier this week. 

Rambis wants to develop a team that will be fun to watch, a group that can run the fast break.  He comes from the famed “Show Time” era of the 1980s in Los Angeles that ran the floor with artistry and execution.  Overlooked by some observers is that the Lakers wouldn’t have won world championships if not for their exceptional defense. 

The Wolves’ new coach played with a lanky defensive specialist who pestered Larry Bird and other scoring whizzes.  Michael Cooper, 6-foot-5, 170 pounds, knew his assignments and played with passion on defense.  Brewer, 6-9, 188 pounds, seemingly has the physical skills and past resume with national champion Florida to spark speculation he could become an elite NBA defender. 

Rambis was a defensive specialist and contributor to the Lakers’ mantra of “no rebounds, no rings” when he played.  His teaching of the running game to the Wolves and also coach Phil Jackson’s famed triangle offense may be fun to anticipate, but successful teams defend and rebound. 

At his news conference on Tuesday, Rambis said the Lakers of the 1980s were so well prepared defensively, they knew the plays of the other teams and where they wanted to position themselves on the floor.  If Brewer heard that, he should have high-fived himself.

 

 
Corey Brewer



 

 Corey Brewer's build and defensive potential is reminiscent of former Laker Michael Cooper.
 

Worth Noting

Rambis said the Wolves' appetite for the fast break will not be done with “reckless abandon,” and “repeating the same mistakes will not be tolerated.”    

Even before Rambis was hired there was speculation the Wolves next coach will not be around for more than a couple years.  The Wolves have won only 46 of 164 games the last two years, and have just six players remaining from a roster that’s been gutted in a plan to remake the personnel next season and beyond. 

Rambis admitted having a four-year contract was important to him and he’s determined to be around here when the team improves.  “ I did not want to be the individual that put in the work, that put in the time and then somebody else come in and took it to another level," Rambis said.  "I feel like I am that coach to not only help this team develop and grow but then take it to the next level where we are winning playoff games.” 

The California native said that in considering the “pros and cons” of accepting the Wolves position there was only one negative.  “The con being that I have to go out and buy some big winter coats because I have none,” he joked.  

ESPN college basketball reporter Andy Katz wrote about two players with Gopher connections this week, Ralph Sampson III and Klay Thompson.  Sampson will be a sophomore with the Gophers next season while Thompson, the son of former Gopher All-American Mychal Thompson, starts his second season at Washington State. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=katz_andy&id=4388545 

The Vikings, who open their preseason schedule tonight on Ch. 5 against the Colts in Indianapolis, must cut their 80 man roster down to 75 by September 1.  The roster needs to be finalized at 53 by September 5.  On September 6 a practice squad of eight players can be established.   

Tonight’s rosters include all four NFL players who grew up in South Dakota.  The Vikings have three of the players, linebackers Chad Greenway and Ben Leber, and kicker Taylor Mehlhaff, while kicker Adam Vinatieri plays for the Colts.

The biggest Viking in camp is rookie offensive tackle Phil Loadholt, 6-8, 343.  The smallest is cornerback Antoine Winfield, 5-9, 180. 

Former prison warden turned author Jim Bruton has assisted ex-Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton with his new autobiography.  A successful businessman, Tarkenton’s book is titled “Every Day is Game Day.”  Bruton told Sports Headliners that he made several trips to Georgia to interview the hall of fame quarterback.  “He was so interesting,” Bruton said.  “We spent one day down in Athens where he grew up.” 

Bruton also said Tarkenton has purchased 5,000 copies of the book.  Bruton, who lives in White Bear Lake, has authored a book about the Gophers due out next month, “Gopher Glory: The Pride of the Maroon and Gold.”  

 

 Ralph Sampson III

Notes Plus 

Jerry Burns, 82, was the oldest of the Vikings’ large support group for Randall McDaniel at his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame last weekend.  Burns, the former Vikings coach, told Sports Headliners former Vikings in attendance included Joey Browner, Tim Irwin, Kirk Lowdermilk and Ron Yary.

Minnesota native Tim Herron, who didn’t receive an invitation to play in this week’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club, will attend tournament parties for his corporate sponsors, according to his dad Carson.  

Jim Nantz, the CBS sportscaster here covering the PGA, had dinner earlier in the week at Murray’s, enjoying the restaurant’s famous Silver Butter Knife Steak.  

Agent Ron Shapiro was in town this week to talk with Joe Mauer and his advisors, according to a source who requested anonymity.  Mauer’s contract ends after next season and only the Twins are allowed to talk contract with him until the fall of 2010.  

Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Garrett Jones hit .208 with two home runs and five RBI in 56 at-bats with the Twins last year.  This season those numbers are: .288, 12 and 20 in 146 at-bats.  The 28-year-old seemingly didn’t have a future with the Twins because he would have been behind Justin Morneau at first base, Michael Cuddyer in right field and Jason Kubel as left-handed designated hitter.

Randy Ruiz, who played briefly with the Twins in 2008 and this summer was second in home runs while playing in the Pacific Coast League, joined Toronto’s roster earlier this week and hit a home run in his first at-bat for the Blue Jays.  He also homered in his second game.

Trent Oeltjen, a 27-year-old outfielder from Australia who originally signed with the Twins, was called up from the minors last week by Arizona and hit a home run in his first game.  He’s hitting .414 with three home runs in six games for the Diamondbacks.

 

 
 Joey Browner and Jerry Burns

Joe Mauer
Photo courtesy of Minnesota Twins