New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - The New York Knicks have named Kurt Rambis an associate head coach.
Rambis, a former assistant coach under New York president Phil Jackson in Los Angeles, will help new Knicks head coach Derek Fisher make the transition from player to the bench.
Fisher retired after the conclusion of the 2013-14 season and took the Knicks' coaching vacancy last month.
"Kurt is exactly the type of person we want in our organization to help develop our culture of success," said Fisher in a statement Monday. "His vast knowledge and experience as a championship player and coach are traits that we embrace adding to our staff."
Rambis has been a part of eight NBA championship teams as either a player, assistant coach or advisor/assistant general manager -- all with the Lakers. He comes to the Knicks after completing his third stint as an assistant coach with the Lakers last season.
The Indiana native was also the head coach for the Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves over three seasons, including a Western Conference semifinals appearance in 1999 with Los Angeles. He spent 13 seasons on the Lakers' bench, including seven under Jackson, and also coached Fisher for 10 seasons in Los Angeles.
"Together, Derek and I have started assembling a coaching staff to lead this team on and off the court," said Jackson on Monday. "The three of us are similar in our philosophies and our approach to the game."
Rambis was originally selected by the Knicks in the third round of the 1980 NBA Draft. He never appeared in a game for New York, but played 880 games over 14 seasons in the NBA and averaged 5.2 points with 5.6 rebounds for the Lakers, Hornets, Suns and Kings.
The Santa Clara product won four NBA titles as a player with the Lakers in a seven-year span from 1982-88.
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