Rambis Not McHale’s Successor Yet

Yesterday morning, it appeared as if Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis was just a few hours away from being named the next coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves and the replacement for long-time Celtics foe Kevin McCale. But as of Friday, it doesn’t appear if Rambis will be establishing a Minneapolis address just yet.

LA Times: Minnesota Timberwolves President David Kahn told the Associated Press on Thursday that the team and Kurt Rambis were not close to a deal to name Rambis as its new head coach.

Kahn said Wednesday that he is in a position to “do something within a week” and would like one or two of the coaching candidates to meet with owner Glen Taylor before a decision is made. Kahn has spent the last seven weeks interviewing candidates and has settled on Lakers assistant Rambis, ESPN analyst Mark Jackson and Houston assistant Elston Turner as the finalists.

The Times reported that Rambis traveled to Minnesota on Wednesday night to meet with Timberwolves officials, but it was not immediately clear if Jackson or Turner would be asked to do the same. The Timberwolves, who are coming off a 24-58 season and are in the early stages of a rebuilding mode, are the only NBA team without a head coach.

While I wrote yesterday, that Rambis certainly has the right to explore new job opportunities, I am actually a little surprised that he has been fighting so hard for a head coaching position at this stage in career. So far this summer Rambis has interviewed for openings with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Sacramento Kings. He even turned down on offer from the Maloof Brothers, owners of the Kings, because it was reportedly just a two year deal and he was hoping for a long-term contract.

Now, in the midst of his third interview this summer, it seems quite evident that Rambis wants a head coaching position even if it’s not with the Lakers. However, with Phil Jackson’s age and relative instability as the Lakers’ head man, it appears as if he could very well be the coach in waiting when Jackson does decide to retire. Rambis actually coached several games last season when the Zen Master was unable to make the trip due to health complications and is very well thought of within the organization. 

But even with that said, if Rambis was in fact to be Jackson’s successor, wouldn’t he would be content to remain a Laker assistant instead of fighting so hard for a head coaching job elsewhere? With his eagerness to find employment with another organization, it seems logical to assume that Rambis may not be the frontrunner to replace a retiring Phil Jackson. That position may belong to current assistant Brian Shaw or possibly even current New Orleans Hornets coach and legendary Laker point guard Byron Scott.

But right now, it’s all speculation, and all we can is wish Rambis, a great ambassador for the Lakers and the game of basketball, the best of luck in any future endeavors.

Tags: Brian Shaw, Byron Scott, Kurt Rambis, Phil Jackson