The New York Knicks fired head coach Derek Fisher earlier this week and named Kurt Rambis their interim head coach. I felt that the job overwhelmed him and he assumed that because Phil Jackson was his guy that he would have a longer leash to get better.
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Phil Jackson’s next move is improving the Knicks. “It’s not in my physical capabilities”. Jackson said he has “complete confidence” in Rambis and added the team isn’t hunting for a coach at the moment.
Rambis last coached the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2010-11, which was a forgettable season, but power forward Kevin Love had one of his best fantasy campaigns. Fisher then got off to an embarrassing start to this season during training camp.
But ultimately, his downfall came from the results. Some of his accomplishments as a coach were the acquisition of superstar Carmelo Anthony and the drafting of current rookie hotshot Kristaps Porzingis.
“Nine losses in the last 10 games”, Jackson said when asked for why Fisher was sacked now. I think its the business of winning.
“Yeah, I don’t think that’s even a question for me as far as playoffs”, Anthony said.
Rodman played under Jackson for all three of the Bulls’ title runs from 1995-96 through the 1997-98 seasons.
Fisher, who was originally hired in June 2014, finishes his Knicks coaching career with an overall record of 40-96 (.294). So there’s always the statement: it’s easier to fire a coach than it is to fire 15 players… there are things beyond our control.
Rambis laid down his cards to the team and stressed that the agenda right now is to make the playoffs.
According to The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski, there is a “strong belief Jackson will eventually find his way to his fiancée Jeanie Buss and the Los Angeles Lakers” with either Luke Walton or Tom Thibodeau serving as the Lakers’ next head coach.
The relationship to Jackson, it seems, will matter.
Jackson selected Fisher so that the triangle offense would be implemented easily. Former Warriors coach Mark Jackson, a Knicks point guard from 1987-92, is a possible candidate too.
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For those who are unaware, the only way that Anthony could be dealt away is if he wants to be traded.
