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Temporarily perched between the Olympic Peninsula and a campsite in eastern Oregon, I was graciously afforded an opportunityby the Wolves' staff to participate in the out-of-town media's conference call with new Wolves' coach Kurt Rambis late this afternoon. Yes, the healthy LA contingent in the crowd wanted to know more about why Rambis didn't keep waiting around for Phil Jackson to keel over so he could snag the Laker job, but there was some decent info unearthed overall--even on the Laker front, where Rambis obliquely conceded that if he'd had an inclination that Jackson was stepping down soon he might have stayed put.

The most important information divulged--and it may have already been stated in the initial press conference back home for all I know--was Rambis's statement, in answer to a perceptive question by True Hoop's Henry Abbott, that if the season were to commence tomorrow and he had both players in camp, he'd start Ricky Rubio at the point. Specifically, Rambis said, "My gut feeling right now is that Ricky would be the starter." and that "the speed and nastiness as a defender" that Jonny Flynn possesses would make him "good off the bench."

Rambis didn't foreclose the possibility of playing both in the backcourt for limited minutes, saying they could prove him wrong in training camp by playing really well without the ball--but also threw water on the idea on them playing together very often, saying that would be "rough to do, given the quality of the guards in the Western Conference." But of course he also noted that "the two point guards need as much time and playing experience as possible...they need to be on the floor."

In other words, he did the relatively happy dance of all newly hired coaches at their opening media gauntlet. We're not going to get the irreverence of Kevin McHale or the plainspoken assessments of Flip Saunders, I'm afraid; more Dwane Casey and Randy Wittman-style caution (the unpissed-off Randy Wittman anyway).

I'm not going to pretend to have an informed opinion on Rambis. He is clearly stung by caustic references to his relatively woeful record (24-13, isn't it?) with the Kobe-Shaq Lakers as interim coach, claiming that he "lost my power forward and best defender" during that period. But the best defense was simply naming who those players were--the forward was Eldon Campbell, the defender Eddie Jones--and then throwing around Glen Rice and the distraction of Dennis Rodman for good measure. Plus, it was way back during the lockout season, another distraction. Bottom line, Rambis got less than half a season on a talented but transitional team a long long time ago. Presumably, his seat next to Zen Master has enlightened him some since then.

I asked Rambis three questions during the half hour session, which was marred by a copious amounts of echo and occasional feedback spray. When no one would go first at the outset, I asked the introductory staple about how his philosophy matched up with David Kahn's, particularly in the realm of running a point-guard-centric ballclub, which was an early Kahn catechism I pulled out of my, uh, memory. Rambis proceeeded to mention most every point guard he'd played with, beginning in junior high (no joke) and on through Magic Johnson. (Maybe he was nervous, or simply tired of the gauntlet.) He finished by saying that players like Rubio and Flynn were "invaluable" and that it would be exciting for the fans.

My second question a little while later revolved around this whole idea of a "running team" and where that left someone like Al Jefferson, who obviously isn't a run-first guy. Rambis gave a predictible but thorough answer, from the importance of rebounding to initiate the fast break to the importance of Jefferson as a factor on the secondary break to inevitable ace-in-hole aspect of having Jefferson if the break doesn't deliver immediate dividends. "He will not be neglected by any means," Rambis pledged of Jefferson, adding that Big Al will actually have "more fun" because the pace will presumably afford him more catch-and-shoot opportunities without an established double or triple team in his lap.

Toward the end the happy talk aspect began to grow a tad too rote even for the occasion, so I asked Rambis about the downsides to this job--what things made him think twice about taking it and what liabilities faced his tenure with the club. I specifically mentioned the difficulty of luring free agents to Minnesota and the franchise's chronic inability to defend, especially before and after KG. He, again predictibly, mentioned youth, saying for the second time that 26-year old Ryan Gomes was the elder statesman on the roster. As to defense, he cited his bona fides as a Pat Riley disciple and then did say something worthwhile when he noted that he'd already told his players to get in shape, especially in the legs, because you can't play defense without it. He neglected the free agency reference, saying on that there are weaknesses on the team "that will be rectified."

Other quick points, unearthed by the other reporters on the call:

* Jefferson and Love can play together (better than Rubio and Flynn). Love's outlet passing is a great component for the running game.

* He saw himself as a viable successor to Jackson--"above many and equal to most"--but was pleased by the assurances he was given by Kahn that he would be an equal partner in building the ballclub here in Minnesota.

* Will change culture from losing culture to winning culture by getting players to sacrifice. Went to recent Laker examples, including Odom willing to come off bench and Pau Gasol toughening up in the paint between 08 playoffs and 09 playoffs. Says players need to cover for each other, only way to play quality D.

* Called Jefferson and Love cornerstones, but--significant or merely what rolled off a tired tongue?--mentioned Love first. Mentioned Rubio before Flynn whenever he talked of the two point guards. Put Ryan Gomes in the mix between Love/Jefferson and Rubio/Flynn in listing personnel, then mentioned Corey Brewer and called him quality defender.

* Said he hasn't talked to Rubio but will right after finishing "my 400th interview" of the day. Said it is absolutely clear that Rubio wants to come and play for Wolves and that glitch is totally on buyout.

* Firmly (and shrewdly) eschewed any talk of a timeline for winning, saying it wouldn't be fair to place those kinds of expectations on the players.

Okay folks. As always I heartily appreciate the way you have both handled yourself and expressed yourself in the comments section. I'll be home in the middle of next week to prompt more discussion. Thanks again for checking in.