- After playing in Greece and being release by the Knicks without having played a game, Kurt Rambis started his NBA career with the Lakers as a free agent.
- Rambis was a key component of the Showtime Lakers and with them he reached 6 NBA Finals, winning 4 Championships (1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988)
- Playing in a roster full of stars of the size of Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy or Byron Scott, Rambis didn't have a problem with doing the dirty work. His team first mentality, his defensive skills and a distinctive image with "Clark Kent" style glasses and a thick moustache made him a fan favorite. Legendary Lakers announcer Chick Hearn nicknamed him "Superman".
- After playing for Charlotte, Phoenix and Sacramento he returned to L.A. to play his final two seasons.
- Rambis was an assistant on Del Harris’ staff for 3 seasons (1994-1997) and was the interim coach when Harris was fired 12 games into the 1999 season. In a strike-shortened season Rambis coached that team that included Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, registering a 24-13 record in the regular season before being swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the 1999 Western Conference Semifinals. He was then replaced by Phil Jackson.
- Rambis stayed in the Lakers front office and later joined Jackson as an assistant coach for the 2001-02 season. He was a member of the coaching staff for 3 years, including the 2002 championship and the 2004 Finals. He spent some more time at the front office in 2004-05 before joining the coaching staff once again in February 2005 to assist Frank Hamblen for the remainder of the season when coach Rudy Tomjanovich left because of health issues. Then he stayed as assistant coach for Phil Jackson from 2005-06 to 2008-09. After the Lakers were defeated in the 2008 Finals, he was added the task of defensive specialist which became a big role in the Lakers road to the 2009 Championship.
- He was considered as one of the top candidates to replace Jackson in case health issues forced him to retire but with Jackson returning for 2009-10, Rambis took the head coach job offered by the Minnesota Timberwolves. |
