Slowly but surely, it seems as though Phil Jackson has already made his choice with Kurt Rambis as the head coach of the New York Knicks.
By Robby Sabo
If Phil Jackson is still mulling over his options, there’s no chance we, the onlookers, would ever believe it.
Considering he took off with his brother Chuck and went on vacation without finishing the process of a full-blown coaching search, fans and media members alike are as confused as ever.
Now, it seems confusion could only ramp up based on today’s happenings.
According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, it was interim head coach Kurt Rambis who represented the New York Knicks at the NBA Combine on Wednesday.
Kurt Rambis is in Chicago with the Knicks at the NBA's draft combine with GM Steve Mills & other front office members, per league sources.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) May 11, 2016
Obviously, this piece of news could be taken as much to do about nothing. Rambis is, after all, the current (interim) head coach of the squad. Maybe he’s such a loyal Jax guy that’ll fulfill his interim duties to the end.
However, considering it’s already May 11 and this situation is still extremely unsettled, this would lead most to believe the deed is done and Rambis will, indeed, become the next full-time boss of the court.
Rewind the clock to Apr. 6. Marc Stein and Ian Begley of ESPN had the report that Jackson was strongly considering making Rambis the full time head coach.
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 the early February firing of Derek Fisher, is the preferred choice of Knicks president Phil Jackson, who sources say is pushing for a new multi-year deal for Rambis.
Throw the fact Jax took off on vacation at one of the more interesting times of the season (when the organization was still without a coach), the organization gave no look towards the very talented Tom Thibodeax, and close Jax disciple Brian Shaw recently suggested Rambis will be named head coach, and the idea of Rambis remaining head coach becomes almost a certainty.
Is there a chance Phil can come out of nowhere and stun the world by hiring a David Blatt or Frank Vogel? It’s possible.
At the same time, anything’s possible. Just because it’s possible doesn’t make it likely.
Unless you’re just a blind follower or the most gullible Knicks fan in the world, you understand who the next coach of this team will be.
After Carmelo Anthony is introduced in the starting lineup during each home game in 2016-17, the name of Kurt Rambis as head coach will follow.
