With NBA All-Star break quickly approaching, the New York Knicks have decided to fire their head coach and former Los Angeles Lakers guard, Derek Fisher. After competing for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, the Knicks have lost nine of their last 10 games.
With the change, associate head coach Kurt Rambis has been named the interim head coach. At this point of the season, five head coaches have been relieved of their duties which includes Kevin McHale (Houston Rockets), Lionel Hollins (Brooklyn Nets), David Blatt (Cleveland Cavaliers) and Jeff Hornaceck (Phoenix Suns).
Here is the press release via New York Knicks:
NEW YORK, February 8, 2016 – New York Knickerbockers President Phil Jackson announced today that Derek Fisher has been relieved of his coaching duties. Associate Head Coach Kurt Rambis has been named the interim head coach.
Fisher, who was originally hired on Jun. 10, 2014, finishes his Knicks coaching career with an overall record of 40-96 (.294).
Rambis becomes the 27th head coach in franchise history. Originally hired as the team’s associate head coach on Jul. 7, 2014, the 18-year NBA coaching veteran starts his second-stint as a head coach, after leading the Minnesota Timberwolves for two seasons from 2009-10 through 2010-11 (56-145). The Terre Haute, IN native was a member of eight NBA Championship teams, all as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers (four as a player and four as a coach or executive). Rambis becomes the fifth former Knicks draft pick to coach the team (third round, 58th overall in the 1980 NBA Draft).