New York Knicks part ways with associate head coach Kurt Rambis

The New York Knicks are preparing to bring in a new coaching staff. That process included the departure of assistant coach Kurt Rambis.

The New York Knicks are preparing for an offseason that will change the identity of the organization. Shortly after the conclusion of the 2017-18 regular season, New York reportedly dismissed head coach Jeff Hornacek.

In anticipation of the search for a new coaching staff, the Knicks have also parted ways with one of the most polarizing figures in the organization: Kurt Rambis.

Rambis was hired as associated head coach to Derek Fisher in 2014. Over the course of his four years with the Knicks, he was the interim head coach and a defensive-minded assistant to both Fisher and Hornacek.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Knicks have dismissed Rambis of his duties as associate head coach.

"Knicks president Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry informed Hornacek of his firing upon the team’s return to suburban New York following a flight back from Cleveland, where the Knicks beat the Cavaliers 110-98.Hornacek had one year left on his contract. Kurt Rambis, associate head coach under Hornacek, was also dismissed."

The front office has since confirmed the move.

Rambis has drawn the ire of Knicks fans in recent years, and will no longer be a part of the rebuild once general manager Scott Perry hires his own head coach.

Rambis was one of the last remnants of the Phil Jackson era. It wasn’t an entirely negative time in Knicks history, as it brought the franchise a number of legitimate building blocks, including Kristaps Porzingis, Frank Ntilikina, and, prior to being traded, Willy Hernangomez.

Jackson also brought in some of the select few Knicks who are known for their defensive intensity: Courtney Lee, Kyle O’Quinn, and Lance Thomas.

Unfortunately for Rambis, the new front office regime has made a concerted effort to distance itself from Jackson’s tenure.

In addition to parting with Hornacek and Rambis, the Knicks traded Hernangomez for a heavily questioned return. New York also parted ways with Mindaugas Kuzminskas to clear space for Jarrett Jack and opted against re-signing Justin Holiday.

The decision to dismiss Rambis appears to be the latest attempt to move on from the Jackson era and start fresh with a team that has a new identity.

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After four seasons, the New York Knicks have parted ways with Kurt Rambis. Once a Knick, always a Knick.