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The New York Knicks have just fired head coach Derek Fisher -- and Kurt Rambis will be taking the reigns over for now. And well, I don't get it. The Knicks are in the playoff hunt, right? They have a star player in Carmelo Anthony and a rookie stud in Kristaps Porzingiz. They made smart moves in free agency to get Robin Lopez and Arron Afflalo. They have resurrected Derrick Williams ' career. And they don't have any bad contracts. But, well, the Knicks needed to do something because doing nothing is never the answer in New York. I'm baffled by this move, but hold no loyalty for Fisher. He knows what he did. But still . . .
The Knicks have fired Derek Fisher, ESPN has learned. Management was disappointed with team's performance, decided change was needed.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) February 8, 2016
Knicks are not confirming Fisher has been fired, but sources tell ESPN that he has been. Kurt Rambis will be interim coach
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 8, 2016
So, Derek Fisher is gonna end up getitng paid $25 million for about 130 games of coaching, huh?
— Chris Towers (@CTowersCBS) February 8, 2016
Ditching Fisher for Rambis is like breaking up with your girl and starting to date your cousin. https://t.co/R544Lcz636
— Steve McPherson (@steventurous) February 8, 2016
Fisher now will be the latest Head Coach to be changed this year. Scott Brooks was fired by the Thunder, and they brought in Billy Donovan. The Magic didn't re-sign interim head coach James Borrego, and instead went with Scott Skiles. The Pelicans fired Monty Williams and hired Alvin Gentry. The Bulls fired Tom Thibodeau and hired Fred Hoiberg. The Nuggets did not renew the contract of interim head coach Melvin Hunt, and instead hired Michael Malone (who was fired LAST season by the Kings). And right before the season started Flip Saunders passed away, leaving the Timberwolves to Sam Mitchell.
During this season the Rockets fired Kevin McHale, and are being run right now by J.B. Bickerstaff on an interim basis. The Nets fired Lionel Hollins, and placed Tony Brown as the interim head coach. The Cavaliers fired David Blatt, and put their trust in Tyronn Lue, not giving him the interim tag. And the Suns just recently fired Jeff Hornacek, passing on the helm to Earl Watson.
Fisher is out now, making it five coaches during the season. And the hub-bub is out that the Kings are itching to get rid of George Karl.
Can we have 12 coaching changes from the off-season till to All-Star break? It could happen. What a crazy year. What a great time to have franchise stability. Thank you Utah Jazz / Dennis Lindsey / Quin Snyder. You've kept the fan attention to the on-court performance, and not the off-court circus.
That's perhaps something no New York coach will ever experience. Fisher knows this well, having had everything from a beat down from Matt Barnes to his dirty laundry aired out during the season. It couldn't have happened to a worse human being though. So, Karma.