Knicks fire coach Derek Fisher; Rambis interim head coach

But the decision to jettison Fisher, while surprising to many, certainly makes sense within the context of both the team’s recent play and Fisher’s increasing de-emphasis of both Jackson’s philosophy and his most trusted people on the coaching staff. AP wirephoto GREENBURGH, N.Y. The Knicks are trying to win now and Phil Jackson is playing no games. Despite the hopes of Knicks fans that Jackson would come save the day as the new head coach, he instead named Kurt Rambis the head coach for the time being. He leaves in the second season of a five-year, $25 million deal, meaning the Knicks again find themselves dealing with an expensive mistake, this one made by Jackson, who took over as team president in March 2014.

The Knicks have fallen to 23-31, dropping Fisher’s overall record to 40-96. Shaw, who won three titles as a player under Jackson and two as an assistant coach under him, coached the Denver Nuggets for nearly two seasons, compiling a 56-85 record.

Kurt Rambis, Phil Jackson go back a long way: Any doubt that the Knicks’ new interim coach is a Phil Jackson guy was dispelled midway through Kurt Rambis’ news conference on Monday, when a phone went off and he recognized the ringtone.

“It’s a huge transition from being a player to a coach at any point in time, let alone the season after you retire from playing”.

If Jackson indeed returns to the Lakers, he will be reunited with Lakers part owner and president Jeanie Buss, who also happens to be Jackson’s fiancée.

Rambis said he told the team they had to figure out a way to reach the playoffs and Anthony said his new coach was “spot on”. He was involved in a fight with Memphis Grizzlies forward and former teammate Matt Barnes when he was at the home of Barnes’ estranged wife in California.

Barnes ultimately was given a two-game suspension by the National Basketball Association for his role in the episode. Should the New York Knicks consider signing Tom Thibodeau? While Thibodeau had issues wearing down players with the Bulls, his teams were great defensively and averaged 51 wins per year during his five-year run. “Carmelo is the leader”, Jackson said.

That’s my goal, to get this team into the playoffs and then I’ll worry about things after we get as far as we can possibly get.