5. Kurt Rambis
We should probably mention the interim Kurt Rambis, since he and Phil Jackson are close. Rambis will get the chance to prove himself over the next two months as a worthy successor to the empire Jackson is trying to build in New York.
Unfortunately, we should also point out that Rambis’ track record as an NBA head coach in Los Angeles and Minnesota…well, it’s just not very good.
Of NBA coaches with at least 100 games coached, Derek Fisher has the 17th worst Winning Pct (.294), Kurt Rambis has the 11th (.279) #Knicks
— Jared (@JMintzWords) February 8, 2016
According to Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report, Jackson and Rambis have already had discussions about what the team wasn’t getting from Fisher, so the blueprint is already laid out for Rambis to be more successful. If he’s able to help the Knicks snap out of their current funk, it’s entirely possible Jackson gives another one of his disciples a chance for the long-term.
That being said, we haven’t seen many interim coaches earn the opportunity to shed that interim title over the last few years, and there are certainly better options available with more impressive track records.
Next: No. 4