Kurt

Rambis

Per the press release, Rambis will report to Magic Johnson and support the basketball operations and coaching staffs in their day-to-day functions.

“I’ve talked to [Rambis] once about the possibility and how he would fit on our staff,” said Hornacek. “I’m going to continue to talk to him over these next few days as well as filling out the whole staff altogether. If we go on this process, if I think he’d be good for us, then I’d love to have him. If we talk and we just don’t seem like it’s going to fit then he’ll move on and get another job.” Rambis is Phil Jackson’s guy, but that doesn’t mean he’ll stick around on Hornacek’s staff.

Rambis still had one year left on his contract, but the Knicks decided to cut him a new deal, implying that he’ll be a longterm fixture on Hornacek’s staff. Hornacek and Rambis have a long standing relationship dating back to their playing days, and the decision to hire Rambis was reportedly 100 percent up to Hornacek, and not a decision imposed by Phil Jackson.

Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek had recently said he’d take some time to determine whether Rambis fits on his staff, but Jackson’s comments make it sound like Rambis isn’t going anywhere. “Well, Kurt fits,’’ Jackson said. “He fits in a number of ways. He’s a teammate of Jeff’s in Phoenix at one point in their careers. He’s also a great team guy, he has a great idea what we’re trying to get accomplished, and I think he can help Jeff feel his way through this club and find the best way for them to play.’’

Per Isola, “Rambis did not have the support of most the players as well as several executives. Jackson was also aware he was facing a serious backlash from fans if Rambis was named head coach.” Despite any bad feelings that may or may not exist, Hornacek is expected to hire Rambis as an assistant on his staff.

This will make for an odd arrangement after Rambis was reportedly upset that he was passed up for the job, but he benefits from having Knicks president Phil Jackson in his corner her. While it will be interesting to see how Rambis and Hornacek coexist, it looks like Hornacek is committed to giving his former teammate a chance.

The Knicks could give former Pacers coach Frank Vogel a look, but multiple executives around the league expect Rambis to get the job. Phil Jackson recently went on vacation which put the Knicks’ coaching search on hold, but several previous reports have indicated that Rambis is Jackson’s preferred choice.

Rambis is currently the frontrunner to land the Knicks head coaching gig, and this report fits into that narrative. Carmelo Anthony has continually asked to be involved in an all encompassing coaching search with Phil Jackson, but to this point Jackson only had a handful of interviews whilst passing on guys like Tom Thibodeau and Dave Joerger.