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Kurt Rambis is no longer the lone voice of the defense.

After his defense devolved into shameful last season, Jeff Hornacek said the coaching staff will teach as a group this time around, rather than Rambis serving as the "one voice," as he was described.

"We've worked all summer — all of us — on how we want to do things. And we want to tell guys, 'Hey, if you have a question on defense, ask these three guys or ask me,'" Hornacek said. "Offensively, it's a couple of guys or ask me. We've got a good balance of guys that are working with different positions too. So it's kind of everybody."

The Knicks were jumbled defensively at the start of last season and, as a result, Hornacek promoted Rambis to defensive coordinator after just six games. In other words, players and assistant coaches reported to Rambis about any defensive concerns.

It was not a successful reign, as New York's defense tumbled to 24th in the NBA by allowing 108 points per game.

Hornacek brought back the same coaching staff as last season, minus assistant Josh Longstaff. Rambis still holds title of associate head coach, but apparently will not take over the defense.

"We, I, put him in that position last year. We started the season that way, a certain way and then we tried to change and it was too difficult," Hornacek said, acknowledging it as an issue for the first time. "But we had a summer of working on it and talking and meetings so we're not changing midseason any more."

SmoothLefty21 wrote:Why is he even here still? Can't we completely sever all ties to Phil?

Deeeez Knicks wrote:Mills talking to Rambis:

Gravy wrote:It may also help that we aren't practicing playing defense against the triangle all the time too

Red Vines wrote:Because Rambis recommended Jeff for the job and they played together... Probably gone as soon as Rambis finds another opportunity.

Hornacek and Rambis have a long-standing friendship dating back to their playing days together with the Phoenix Suns in the late '80s and early '90s. Rambis offered Hornacek a job on his staff when he was head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves between 2009 and 2011, a source told Shelburne. Hornacek also discussed bringing Rambis onto his staff in Phoenix when he coached there from 2013 to 2016.