The Derek Fisher experiment is officially over.

The Knicks fired the second year head coach after he posted a 40-96 cumulative record since taking over, including just 23-31 this year. It was a mystery to most NBA fans why Fisher was hired in the first place, given the fact that he had no prior coaching experience, but his connection with general manager Phil Jackson appeared to be the deciding factor.

Kurt Rambis has taken over as the interim head coach.

There's no telling just how long Rambis will last, but there are a few candidates who could fill the role of Knicks head coach next season if Fisher wants to head in a different direction. One option is Patrick Ewing, who played 15 season for the Knicks after being drafted by the team No. 1 overall in 1985.

Ewing has never served as a head coach in the NBA, but he has a lot of coaching experience at the assistant level. Since 2002 Ewing has been an assistant for the Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets. In 2009 he helped the Magic get to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers. Ewing was credited with helping Dwight Howard's game immensely.

That's a lot more experience than Fisher had. Knicks fans have shown a great desire to give the Jamaican-born center a chance at coaching in the Big Apple, but owner James Dolan has never given him that opportunity.

Ewing said in 2014, "I'd love to go back to New York," according to the New York Daily News.

If Jackson likes what he sees from Rambis, he may surprise everyone and stick with him for next season. Much of Jackson's decision depends on the triangle offense. Is Jackson willing to hire someone who isn't going to run the triangle, or is it time to abandon that philosophy?

Dennis Rodman recently gave a shout out on Twitter to Jackson expressing his interest in coaching the Knicks, but it's pretty unlikely he'll be the next head coach moving forward.

Let's also not forget that Jackson has an opt out clause in his contract after this season. If he decides this is too much work and he doesn't want to be a part of it anymore, he could very well move on from the Knicks or simply retire. Many NBA insiders believe Jackson will return to the Lakers, but nothing has been confirmed.

Another coach who the Knicks could very well consider is Tom Thibodeau. Thibodeau had a great stint with the Chicago Bulls, winning the NBA Coach of the Year Award and even making it to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Thibodeau is a free agent coach, and although many would agree he's the best option, there's no telling if Jackson would go along with his coaching techniques. Thibodeau is more of a defensive coach, but the Knicks clearly don't have many defensive stars on the roster right now. This would be a big test for Thibodeau because he wouldn't have anywhere near the amount of talent he had with the Bulls.

Carmelo Anthony has a no trade clause in his contract, so despite the rumors floating around, it's unlikely he will be dealt before the NBA trade deadline.

Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter @DamonSalvadore1

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