NBA Rumors: Kurt Rambis, Bill Cartwright likely to join Knicks staff

By Josh Hill | Jun 9, 2014

Feb 4, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Kurt Rambis before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

The New York Knicks have finally found a head coach to fill the shoes left by the fired Mike Woodson, and while Phil Jackson very publicly didn’t get his first choice for the job, he’s found pretty much the exact same thing the second time around. While he’s played more recently than Steve Kerr has, Derek Fisher is set to retire from basketball as a player and join the NBA ranks as a head coach.

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New York hired Fisher on Monday afternoon, giving him a five year, $25 million contract to become Phil Jackson’s new pet project as a head coach. Jackson will now mold Fisher in his image and will begin to find veteran assistants with coaching experience to fill in around him.

According to Frank Isola from the New York Daily News, the Knicks are expected to fill out their coaching staff with Kurt Rambis and Bill Cartwright serving as assistants to Fisher.

"Former Knick first round pick Bill Cartwright, who played under Jackson in Chicago, is expected to join Fisher’s staff as is former Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis. Both have been head coaches in the NBA."

Rambis was an utter disaster as a head coach but he thrived whenever he was within ten feet of Phil Jackson and that’s clearly where he belongs. Cartwright also provides veteran assistance to Fisher and has connections to the Knicks that will go beyond just being a head coach for fans.

It seems like Phil Jackson has his trio of coaches he wants to put together, and the question now is will any of it end up working?