Phil Jackson said it was time "time to make a change" shortly after firing one of his prized pupils.
The Knicks president told reporters Monday that he felt the time was right to drop Derek Fisher as the team’s coach after a season and a half in charge.
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“I think it's nine losses in the last 10 games. I think it’s the business of winning," Jackson said, via ESPN. "Derek was prepared, he took this business seriously. I think he was a dedicated worker.”
Jackson said that some of the onus for the Knicks' 23-31 record this season falls on the players, but felt Monday's move was necessary. The Knicks are reportedly looking to add a point guard via trade as well.
"But it's time to make a change and turn this team around and move forward and get some wins and keep going down the road we had started at the beginning of the year," Jackson said.
Kurt Rambis will take over as interim coach for Fisher, who was 38-96 in his first NBA coach job. Jackson said he has "complete confidence" in Rambis and added the team isn’t hunting for a coach at the moment.