While Kurt Rambis was answering questions from a packed pressroom at Madison Square Garden Training Center on Monday afternoon, a photographer’s ring tone interrupted the flow of questions and answers. As the photographer quickly reached to turn off his ringer, Rambis casually asked, “Is that Grateful Dead?”
The room full of reporters laughed at the moment and Rambis cut the tension on a day in which president Phil Jackson relieved Derek Fisher of his coaching duties and elevated Rambis to interim head coach.
A member of eight NBA championship teams, Rambs brings a wealth of experience to the sidelines as a former head coach and player. Jackson pointed to Rambis’ approach to the game as one of the main differences between the current and former head coach Fisher.
“There is certain levity to Kurt as some of you guys know that deal with or see him dealing with referees where he likes to make a joke,” Jackson explained. “He’s a little bit more relaxed in his approach to life and finds life humorous and fun in many ways.”
Jackson added, “Basketball business. He is all business about that.”
Rambis is hoping to find the right balance to jumpstart a Knicks squad chasing a spot in the postseason. “Players have to be relaxed when they play and that comes from being confident. They know what they are supposed to do at both ends of the court. Now they can relax and they can focus on what they have to attend to out there on the court. I’ve never felt that any player can play when he’s all tense and wound up, so if it takes getting somebody to smile to relax then that will be part of it.”
An open door policy is in effect for the coaches and players under Rambis. The interim head coach welcomes the thoughts and opinions from his staff and the goal is to achieve transparency from the front office down to the players. Aside from his comedic demeanor, Rambis will attempt to make sure the players are responsible for their actions on the floor.
“I have to do things my way. I have to do the things that I feel are right for this team at this particular juncture and I have to feel comfortable in doing it the way that I want to do it. A lot of that is just challenging players, holding them accountable. We had a players meeting just to address the situation and to let them know where I stand with things and what I expect of them,” Rambis articulated.
The upcoming All-Star break will provide the reconfigured coaching staff with time to reflect on the 55 games of the 2015-16 season. With 27 remaining after the break and several teams fighting for a postseason berth in the Eastern Conference, Jackson hopes the combination of Rambis’ personality and experience will ignite the Knicks turnaround.