It was reported almost a month ago, that Phil Jackson wanted Kurt Rambis to be the permanent head coach of the New York Knicks.
Phil Jackson knows Rambis is capable of running this team of young guns. It’s just a matter of finding the balance of trying to win games, and getting some younger, developing players, more time to get adjusted.
From Marc Stein and Ian Begley of ESPN:
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
Playing the veterans to get some wins under his belt and to prove he is worthy of getting the job long term, has probably worked for Rambis.
One thing he has already started to do was listen to Carmelo Anthony. Anthony told Rambis that he should start leaning on the younger players to see a positive change in the line up.
Although, it has been troubling to see and hear that Rambis may not be the best fit for developing young Knicks star Kristaps Porzingis. That is not going to help the Knicks going forward unless Rambis and Porzingis get on the same page. He is your number one star of the future at the moment and you do not want to jeopardize that.
Jackson and Rambis have been very close personally, which may be a big reason why he wants him back. He didn’t have success in Minnesota but very few have over the last few seasons. Success can come for Rambis with the trust of Jackson and learning under his wing with the triangle offense.
Knicks fans probably disagree with Jackson trying to bring back Rambis. They are hoping owner James Dolan can overrule Jackson and the Knicks just go a completely different route. Along with a looming coaching situation, they have many roster issues they need to address this offseason as well.
