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Report: Knicks ONLY Considering Kurt Rambis… David Blatt a Smokescreen

ByWilliam Lee|
Apr 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Knicks head coach Kurt Rambis in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The New York Knicks won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Knicks head coach Kurt Rambis in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The New York Knicks won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

According to NBA analyst Peter Vecsey, the New York Knicks were NEVER interested in hiring former-Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt.

This news comes in the wake of a recent report by Marc Stein of ESPN that the Knicks narrowed their coaching search down to only two candidates, Blatt and interim head coach Kurt Rambis.

This is horrifying news for Knicks fans… given the recent reports that Blatt was willing to be flexible and run the triangle offense, as per Marc Berman of the New York Post.

"“He’d be absolutely willing to run the triangle,’’ the NBA personnel director said. “There’s not great similarities between the two, but it is in the fundamental notion of ball movement, taking what the defense gives you.”"

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Blatt was a beacon of hope that the organization would not hire someone with a .284% winning record. Blatt had a winning percentage of .675% and helped the Cavaliers get into the NBA Finals in his first year! Now of course it helped that he had LeBron James… but STILL, at least he didn’t derail the team.

Unfortunately, Peter Vecsey’s report does make sense, it goes in hand with what Jackson has been saying all along… that he was only willing to hire someone he personally knew.

"“Only people I probably know will be in the interview process. I will reach out to make connections to some people. But I’ve been in this position, in the NBA over 50 years, and I’ve seen a lot of situations where coaches end up coming in without simpatico with the general manager and those things don’t work well. So someone who has compatibility with what I do as a leader would have to be in sync with what we do.”"

There is probably no one more in sync with Jackson, than his good friend Rambis… going all the way back to the Los Angeles Lakers days.

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What is interesting is the fact that if indeed Blatt was just a smokescreen… why isn’t Rambis already hired? Could it be that New York’s owner James Dolan has to approve of the move?

HOPEFULLY this is where Dolan says “NO MORE!“, and forces Jackson to conduct a REAL coaching search. Kurt Rambis SHOULD NOT be the Knicks head coach next season…

What is even SADDER is Vecesy also reported that Tom Thibodeau had his agent reach out to the Knicks but Jackson completely just showed no interest…

If this is true… Jackson should just be fired… Jackson let one of THE BEST DEFENSIVE minds go. Thibodeau throughout his five seasons in the Bulls has led the league in every defensive statistical category.

Opponent PPGRankFG%Rank3P%Rank
2010-201191.32nd431st32.61st
2011-201288.21st42.12nd32.53rd
2012-201392.93rd44.39th34.65th
2013-201491.81st432nd35.17th
2014-201597.89th43.53rd33.52nd

Combined with the recent Luke Walton debacle… with reports of interviewing him and then not interviewing him once tampering charges were brought up… Jackson is just making a mockery of this coaching search.

Next: The Reintroduction of Tony Wroten

Jackson is making a mockery of the New York Knicks… If the reports are true, and Rambis is the only candidate for the Knicks head coaching job… Rambis and Jackson needs to go…

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