By Charles Jay
For a while, the New York Knicks looked like genuine contenders for a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference, and Phil Jackson was being praised for his ability to get a previously-sinking ship in a better direction.
Things have obviously taken a turn for the worse. They had lost nine of ten games, and Jackson felt that a change was necessary. So he gave head coach Derek Fisher his walking papers and replaced him, on an interim basis, with Kurt Rambis, another former Laker.
Vietbet customers know that it must have been a painful thing for Jackson to do, given his past relationship with Fisher. And he must have thought an awful lot of him, given the fact that he plucked him right out of the playing ranks. But the situation was aggravated by Fisher’s relationship with Gloria Govan, the estranged wife of Matt Barnes, a former Clipper and Laker who is currently a member of the Memphis Grizzlies. On one fateful occasion, as the Knicks’ coach left camp on an off-day, Barnes caught Fisher at the house with Govan, and that apparently triggered a physical altercation that resulted in Barnes receiving a two-game suspension.
For Fisher, the price might have ultimately been much higher, although it should be noted that he has a five-year contract. Maybe the Barnes thing wasn’t the only problem; there were also rumors about “love triangles” involving players Tim Hardaway Jr. and Cleanthony Early.
There is a saying in NBA circles that when a coach starts to behave like a player, he is in danger of losing the locker room. There is little doubt this was the case with Fisher.
So now it is up to Rambis (named “Superman” during his playing days due to his glasses, which brought about visions of Clark Kent) to pick up the pieces. One thing is certain – from a technical standpoint, the transition is easy, since Rambis, like Fisher, knows and coaches the Triangle offense of Jackson (or more specifically, of former college coach and laker assistant Tex Winter).
Whether the Knicks execute that offense well enough remains to be seen. Rookie Krystaps Porzingis has been a defienite bright spot, although impatient fans were looking for a better place after an encouraging start.
Still, the Knicks, even in 12th position (and 500/1 to win the Eastern Conference, according to the NBA futures odds at Vietbet), were not all that far out of a playoff spot, trailing the 8th-place Charlotte Hornets by only five games. On the other hand, they would have to leapfrog past Detroit, Washington and Orlando to get where they want to go.
And so meanwhile, there are the reports about who the Knicks might eventually go after to be their coach on a full-time basis. Rambis has had two different head coaching stints in the past – with the Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves – so he is no stranger to the position. But he’s a retread, to a certain extent, so Jackson has to look around for someone who is familiar with the offense and would be qualified to step in on Day One and take over; something most critics believe Fisher had a struggle with.
Luke Walton is the name that passes through most people’s lips in that regard. Of course, he has a relationship with Jackson going back to their days with the Lakers. And thus, he knows the Triangle. Plus, he is about as hot a coaching commodity as one can imagine, having guided the Golden State Warriors to a 24-0 start and 39-4 overall record while filling in for Steve Kerr, who underwent two back surgeries and needed time to recover.
Walton likes Jackson; in fact, he considers him a mentor. But the Knicks’ organization is considered toxic by many, and Walton is a West Coast guy. He has also indicated to some “insiders” that he might not even pursue a head coaching job so vigorously, because he loves his situation in the Bay Area.
Honestly, can you blame him?
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