Kurt Rambis has been added to Knicks coach Derek Fisher’s staff as an associate head coach, the team announced on Monday.Rambis will be Fisher’s No. 2 on the bench and is the first addition to the rookie coach’s staff.
“Together, Derek and I have started assembling a coaching staff to lead this team on and off the court,” Knicks president Phil Jackson said in a statement. “The three of us are similar in our philosophies and our approach to the game.”
Rambis has had three previous stints as an assistant coach for the Lakers, spanning 12 seasons in total. He worked in Los Angeles under Jackson and was an assistant when Fisher played for the Lakers.
“Kurt is exactly the type of person we want in our organization to help develop our culture of success,” Fisher said. “His vast knowledge and experience as a championship player and coach are traits that we embrace adding to our staff.”
Rambis also was the Lakers' head coach in 1998-99, going 24-13 after Del Harris was fired. He has a strong knowledge of the triangle offense, which the Knicks are expected to implement.
An assistant coach for the Lakers last season, Rambis interviewed with general manager Mitch Kupchak for the team's head-coaching position late last month. That job remains vacant.
Rambis, 56, went 32-132 in two seasons as head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Rambis coached Kevin Love in Minnesota. Love and Rambis reportedly had some disagreements in Minnesota. It’s worth wondering if Rambis’ presence on the Knicks’ staff impacts their ability to land Love in free agency in the summer of 2015 -– if Love even makes it to free agency. There is speculation that Love will be traded from the Timberwolves to a team that he will re-sign with as a free agent. The Knicks are not in the mix to trade for Love.
Rambis also played for the Lakers for nine seasons (1981-88, 1993-95), winning four championships.
Rambis returns to New York 34 years after the team originally drafted him in the third round (58th overall) of the 1980 NBA Draft out of Santa Clara University, although he never appeared in a game for the Knicks. In 14 seasons, he played in 880 regular season games, averaging 5.2 points and 5.6 rebounds for the Lakers, original Charlotte Hornets, Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings. With the Lakers, Rambis was a member of four NBA Championship teams over a seven-year span (1982, 1985, 1987, 1988).
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As expected, Kurt is added as the lead assistant. Hopefully the rest of the staff comes together soon to provide some aid for Fisher in Vegas.
I just want to flagrant foul Rambis to the ground every time I see him for some reason...He was so annoying during the showtime era. Magic made him look so good
EnySpree wrote:I just want to flagrant foul Rambis to the ground every time I see him for some reason...He was so annoying during the showtime era. Magic made him look so good
haha, man I loved Rambis but I was almost too young to remember many of the games.
What's the difference between an associate and an assistant head coach?
Im sure the all time most winningest coach in the history of the NBA thinks Rambis is a Gilligan.
What did he deserve to get the label?
Made one mistake. He took the Timberwolves job and his bosses wanted him to impliment the triangle using a rookie named Jonny flynn.
He lost his team and his grip on them.
Nobody is asking him to be head coach in NY.
If the Skipper had any backbone he'd never have hired Gilligan let alone get lost on a 3 hour tour. To his credit all his passangers survived.
PHil Hired Rambis. Rambis has 4 rings as a player and One as assistant coach and at least one or two as assistant GM of Lakers.
Rambis Knows the system, knows winning. Great hire.
good stuff. Every chance these guys get to comment on something they remind us about off the court. I expect to see some player development here.
BigDaddyG wrote:What's the difference between an associate and an assistant head coach?
The head coach can blame the associate and use them as a scape goat if things start going wrong, and re-assign them to produce reports.
Nalod wrote:Im sure the all time most winningest coach in the history of the NBA thinks Rambis is a Gilligan.What did he deserve to get the label?
Made one mistake. He took the Timberwolves job and his bosses wanted him to impliment the triangle using a rookie named Jonny flynn.
He lost his team and his grip on them.
Nobody is asking him to be head coach in NY.
If the Skipper had any backbone he'd never have hired Gilligan let alone get lost on a 3 hour tour. To his credit all his passangers survived.
PHil Hired Rambis. Rambis has 4 rings as a player and One as assistant coach and at least one or two as assistant GM of Lakers.
Rambis Knows the system, knows winning. Great hire.
No disrespect meant. Gilligan had an island. Skipper only had a boat (and look how well that worked for him).
I am curious who fills out the staff. We've heard rumors of Rick Fox. How many coaches do we need to send to summer camp? Happy with the Rambis addition, we need the experience.
I watched a ton of Laker games and when Rambis comments he had a lot of very good points he'd make. He seems very knowledgeable and i'm sure that Phil knows if he would be the right guy next to Fish. I hope it's a great hire and they work great together for years. We need a good staff after watching that cast of bums Woody had last year who gave him NOTHING at all. Can anyone figure out what those guys did all year?
Rambis the player was similar to Phil after he lost his hops to back surgery!
Rambis toiled as an assistant yet has 5 rings!!!! Winners don't always have to be stars!!!
I don't care if he is head coach material cuz thats not why he was hired. Fisher/Kerr was Phils choice.
The dude knows winning and knows the triangle. Solid hire!!!
