Phil Jackson Favors Kurt Rambis
The New York Knicks’ coaching isn’t just an evaluation of the external candidates. Instead, it’s one that weighs every possible candidate—by Phil Jackson’s discretion, of course—including the internal options.
According to Marc Stein and Ian Begley of ESPN, interim head coach Kurt Rambis is the favorite for the full-time position.
"The New York Knicks are giving strong consideration to making Kurt Rambis their full-time head coach, according to league sources. Sources told ESPN.com that Rambis, who has served as the Knicks’ interim coach since Derek Fisher was fired Feb. 8, is the preferred choice of team president Phil Jackson, who sources say is pushing for a new multiyear deal for Rambis despite New York’s 8-16 record since the coaching change."
That report has been met with mixed emotions, to say the very least.
Beyond the 9-19 record, Rambis did a solid job as the interim head coach of the Knicks. Robin Lopez was significantly better under his watch, and that was a prime result of New York doing what it failed to under Fisher: embracing the Triangle Offense.
That’s likely a major reason why Jackson covets him.
Jackson and Rambis’ playing careers were almost identical. Both did the dirty work for championship teams with similar structures—stars at point guard, small forward, and center—as Jackson played alongside Walt Frazier, Dave DeBusschere, and Willis Reed, and Kurt Rambis supported Magic Johnson, James Worthy, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
More important than the public perception is that Rambis’ reveal as the frontrunner has been met by the revelation that there are other candidates.
Next: Carmelo's Choice