The Knicks put Kurt Rambis in charge of their NBA-worst defense.
Why Rambis – whose previous teams defended poorly – as opposed to another assistant coach?
Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek, via Howie Kussoy of the New York Post:
“It could’ve been anybody,” Hornacek said following Tuesday’s practice. “It could’ve been Jerry [Sichting]. It could’ve been Corey [Gaines]. We all talk as a coaching staff about the same things. Kurt had some of these guys last year, so just thought it was better to put him in there.”
What a ringing endorsement.
At least the players are excited about Rambis fixing the defense, right?
Carmelo Anthony, via Kussoy:
“Whether we’re comfortable with it or not, it is what it is and we’ve got to buy into that and embrace that,” Anthony said. “And just focus in on our schemes and what we want to do and just have kind of a foundation of how we’re gonna do it and what we’re gonna do and go by that.”
Perhaps, Hornacek and Anthony didn’t intend to sound as down on Rambis as they come across. But, man, this doesn’t engender much confidence.
Considering the internal politics at play with Rambis a Phil Jackson favorite and Anthony pushing for someone else last summer, this bears watching.
