Kurt Rambis – Interim Head Coach, NYK
- Rambis was drafted by the New York Knicks 58th overall in the 1980 NBA Draft, but was waived. After playing professionally in Greece, Rambis returned to the Knicks, but would never see the court He would later sign as a free agent with the “showtime” Los Angeles Lakers, where he played an integral role in four championships (1982, 1985, 1987-88).
- Rambis served as Jackson’s assistant coach twice with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was a part of four of five Lakers championships under the Zen Master. Rambis is considered the front-runner for New York’s coaching vacancy because of his commitment to running the Triangle Offense — the offense Jackson ran en route to his 11 NBA championship rings with both Chicago and L.A. — and his long-standing relationship with Jackson.
- Rambis was interim head coach of the 1999 Los Angeles Lakers after Del Harris was fired. He posted a 24-13 record in L.A. before his team was swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Semifinals.
- Rambis took over as head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2009. He amassed a 32-132 record with a T’Wolves team whose roster featured a young Kevin Love, Al Jefferson, Corey Brewer, Darko Milicic, Ryan Hollins, Johnny Flynn, Wayne Ellington, and later Ricky Rubio. Former sportswriter David Kahn was the general manager of that Timberwolves team, and Rambis barely ran the Triangle Offense.
- As interim head coach, Rambis finished the season 9-19. It can be argued since taking over for Fisher, New York has keyed in on the Triangle Offense. It is reported Jackson has been more active with the team since Rambis took over, becoming more vocal (and visible) at team practices. Jackson sees Rambis as an extension of himself on the floor, hence his status as the front-runner for New York’s coaching job.
- Sidebar: His name is not actually Kurt. It’s Darrell. Darrell Kurt Rambis.
