Report: Thibodeau, Walton unlikely to replace Rambis in New York
Previous reports have indicated the New York Knicks are looking at potentially keeping Kurt Rambis, who took over as head coach following Derek Fisher's dismissal back in February, in his role for the 2016-17 campaign. The fact of the matter remains, though, that Rambis' track record (.284 winning percentage) on the sidelines is one of the worst in league history, with more credible coaching options available.
Former Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau has been linked to the franchise in the past, but according to the New York Post's Marc Berman, the 2011 NBA Coach of the Year heading to The Big Apple is simply "not happening."
Team president Phil Jackson has reportedly spoken with Chicago's John and Jim Paxson, and doesn't seem overly enthused with the idea of bringing Thibodeau on board. Considering what his team has endured on and off the court in recent years, the last thing he wants to do is have someone manage the Knicks who could perhaps make things worse.
It's a position Thibodeau would certainly agree to if the interest was there on the part of the Knicks, as it's a job title he's reportedly always wanted.
Luke Walton, a current assistant and former interim head coach of the Golden State Warriors, will be a hot commodity to fill a vacancy should he decide to leave the defending NBA champions. However, the Knicks believe Walton won't be departing Golden State so soon, considering the success they're having.
Walton was named NBA Coach of the Month for November after helping lead the Warriors to an NBA-record 24-0 start to the season.
What Rambis has going for him through all of this is his relationship with Jackson, which may be strong enough to keep him employed. The Knicks' players may not respect him as much as they did Fisher, but what Jackson says goes.
The team currently sits 16 games under the .500 mark at 31-47, and will miss out on the playoffs for the third year in a row.