The New York Knicks have fired head coach Derek Fisher, naming Kurt Rambis as the interim coach.
The #Knicks have relieved Derek Fisher of his coaching duties. Kurt Rambis has been named interim head coach.
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 8, 2016
The Knicks, despite being a veteran team being disguised as a rebuilding squad, have been awful under Fisher’s reign with a 40-96 record. Fisher was handpicked by president Phil Jackson after being spurned by Steve Kerr. After a 17 win 2014-15 season, the team seemed to be making some progress this year, but currently sit eight games under .500 at 23-31 with five straight losses and nine losses in their last 10, falling off the playoff radar.
All things considered, things could have gone worse for Fisher. He oversaw the installation of Phil Jackson’s prized triangle offense, and the development of rookie phenom Kristaps Porzingis. The roster wasn’t built to win now, and in a results-oriented league, 40 wins in 130+ games isn’t going to cut it.
The firing comes on the heels of reports owner James Dolan was frustrated with Fisher after the former Knicks coach said it wouldn’t be a disappointment if the Knicks missed the playoffs.
Taking over for Fisher will be Kurt Rambis, who was the Knicks assistant head coach. His last head coaching gig was with Minnesota from 2009-2011, where he led the Timberwolves to 32 wins in two seasons. His coaching resume isn’t impressive, but Rambis has coached the triangle before so he’s the obvious candidate in the interim.
It seems the Knicks saw the coaching free agent market, were on the fence about a future with Fisher and made a change. So who could become the head coach? Well rumours are already circulating the Knicks have their eye on Warriors assistant Luke Walton and former Denver Nuggets head coach Brian Shaw.
REPORT: Knicks have fired Derek Fisher. Kurt Rambis will be interim coach. Brian Shaw or Luke Walton are top long term candidates.
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 8, 2016
Apparently former Chicago Bulls maestro Tom Thibodeau is interested in the job as well.
Source close to Tom Thibodeau: "The #Knicks are the job he's always wanted. He would crawl to Madison Square Garden."
— Ian O'Connor (@Ian_OConnor) February 8, 2016
The big question is, can any of those guys coach the triangle?
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