John-Blair Bickerstaff Leaves Timberwolves For Position With Kevin McHale And Houston Rockets

The Timberwolves fired Kurt Rambis on Tuesday. Rambis isn't the only coach leaving Minnesota, however, as one of his top assistants will also be elsewhere when then 2011-12 NBA season begins.

John-Blair Bickerstaff accepted a position with former Timberwolves head coach Kevin McHale and the Houston Rockets, according to the Houston Chronicle, shortly before news broke that Rambis was officially out of his David Kahn-imposed purgatory.

Bickerstaff had been with the Wolves for the past four seasons as either an assistant coach or director of player development, and seemingly had a shot at eventually becoming the next head coach of the team as rumors swirled that his father Bernie might serve as a stopgap until the younger Bickerstaff was ready.

It could be interesting if the elder Bickerstaff ends up in Minnesota the same season as his son left the rather dysfunctional organization, but the fact that J.B. didn't stick around to see if that might happen probably says something.