The New York Knicks made a surprise move recently when they fired Derek Fisher heading into the National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star break.
The reason seen behind is the fact that the Knicks have been plummeting with losses lately, and president Phil Jackson believes that there may be a need for change at the helm.
Fisher didn't start the season on a high note, tainted with that celebrated altercation with Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes. But if one recalls the billing the Knicks had before the season started, many didn't expect New York to be where they are to date.
Even though the team has overachieved at this point, Jackson wants the team to take it to the next level and fight for a playoff spot. Right now, they are within striking distance and the man who will be tasked to do that is assistant coach Kurt Rambis who will fill in on an interim basis.
It is believed the Fisher wasn't preaching the patented "triangle offense" in the way that Jackson wanted and now, the search is on for a successor. Leading the pack is, of course, his disciples from the Los Angeles Lakers of old such as Brian Shaw and the surprise interim coach of the season, Luke Walton.
The two headline the list of candidates, although there is one who wants to be considered as well — Tom Thibodeau.
Thibodeau was, of course, fired by the Bulls in the offseason and has since been in the sidelines. While Thibodeau is a good coach, it remains to be seen if Jackson will take a chance on the fiery mentor over former players who actually played the triangle.
Right now, it seems that Rambis will stay on until the end of the season before a new head coach is named. With the season more than halfway through, installing a new coach may not be a good idea if they are to make a serious run at a postseason berth.
