MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Timberwolves have introduced Kurt Rambis as the ninth head coach in franchise history. They say he is the man to lead them in the next phase of their rebuilding project.

Rambis left his job as the top assistant and heir apparent to Phil Jackson with the Los Angeles Lakers. He says he wasn’t sure how much longer Jackson would coach the Lakers and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take over in Minnesota.
Owner Glen Taylor said Tuesday that Rambis’ interest in the job despite his high standing with the defending champions helped push him ahead of the other two finalists — television analyst Mark Jackson and Houston assistant Elston Turner.