They are auctioning off some items from the Shane Mack collection. My favorite is the Scott Erickson No Hitter game used ball. Anyone want to go halfsies with me?

A nice example of the good side of giving millions of dollars to these guys and what they can accomplish.

I know Obama plays some hoops, and there's always Bill Bradley, but I never expected these former and current NBA basketball players to figure into the upcoming presidential elections.

Maybe it's tickets for some 2-on-2 tournament to determine the GOP candidate? Romney must really have an inflated sense of his handles to take on Doug Christie. On the other hand, even if Gingrich could give Pek issues down low, can he throw down the alley-oop from Rubio?

Spoiler alert: a little Rubio to Williams for the slam action. But where in the count will they land?

Love to see the Wolves getting this kind of noteriety!

* The Wolves will hold a free public scrimmage over the lunch hour on Monday at Target Center. The one-hour event starts at noon.

I hope they include a 5x5 scrimmage with zest and a dunk contest with the requirement that the dunker cannot begin his move with the ball in his hands.

In one article, I've learned more about Hayward than from all the time he was on the Twolves. Day one at OKC and he has a defined role that he is focused on and embraces.

There's a wrinkle at the end of the article. "Hayward said he worked out some with Durant and James Harden in California during the offseason and chatted then that there could "possibly be a chance for me to come here."" Hmm, makes me think there was some trade talk happening during the lockout.

And Rambis makes a special guest appearance!

Any CHers here in Seattle able to attend?

The H206 Charity Basketball Classic will take place Saturday, featuring NBA players from the Seattle area against a few others from around the league. The Seattle team is headed by Brandon Roy(notes), Jamal Crawford(notes) and Spencer Hawes(notes), while the "League" team features Brandon Jennings(notes) and Michael Beasley(notes), among others.

More details here.

Mr. 'NBA Playbook' here again. Did I say I just love that site?

Here, they analyze several sets McHale used with the Twolves to see how they would benefit the Rockets. Who doesn't recall past favorites like the Dribble Handoff Clearout, Wing PNR, and Flex?

Come to think of it, how would the past two years have been different running these sets? Love is still here. But could you see Beasley, Martell, and Wes filling the Mike Miller role? It sure would have minimized the touches of the PG and C, and that's not a bad thing.

Looking forward, despite the glut of talent on the forward wings, these sets would be less effective at utilizing Rubio's skills.

What do the rest of you basketball geniuses think? (why not resort to some 'what could have been' while we cannot think about 'what is' or 'what should be'.

I admit some disappointment that Casey is going to another team, but there was no chance he would be coaching in Minnesota. All the best, Mr. Casey!

Gotta love this quote: "Defensively, I’m going to be a hands-on control freak, so to speak," he said. "Offensively, I’m going to trust and give them freedom."

Nice little article from a personal favorite, NBA Playbook. He shows how Dallas manufactured points using BC instead of Dirk on the floor.

A bonus for getting to the end of the page is the nice quote on what a difference having a head coach that knows how to his players and how to adjust plays to winning games. Gee, that's insane talk right there.

Wolves related - not so much. But it does yank on Bynam and it's a fun read. We could always try something like this to amuse ourselves from time to time.

After listing Casey and McHale as finalists for the Rockets position, EJ knocks Kenny's consideration for the position. Barkley footnotes the sequence saying McHale would be back broadcasting soon after taking the position. Really?

Is he talking about McHale as coach, the Rockets as a team and what state they're in, or is it a fit thing? I don't see McHale being excited across the whole season as head coach, even with a team with better players and winning more games.

And how come 2 of 3 finalists for the position are former Wolves coaches? Is this team so awful at evaluating basketball talent? Don't answer that. Tell me why we are so awful at it, other than salary considerations. What sold the FO on Rambis in the first place, and will that still be a factor in the next search?

Here's an article that breaks down Brewer's stats to see if the Knicks should keep him. Unfortunately for CB, it zooms in on his poor shooting stats and does not touch his advanced stats that would factor in his defense and steals. What do you know, the Knicks released him, and CB is likely on to a better team. All the best to you, Corey Brewer.