Kurt Rambis is beloved by Los Angeles Lakers fans for plenty of reasons. He played hard during the Showtime era, complementing the team’s scoring with rebounding and defense. He started and ended his 14-year career with the Lakers.
Kurt Rambis’ stats and career accomplishments include:
- Four-time NBA champion as a Lakers player
- Two-time NBA champion as a Lakers assistant coach
- Four seasons among the top 20 players for overall defensive rating
- Five seasons among the top 20 players for total rebound percentage
Kurt Rambis was a key role player focused on the more physical side of the game. He didn’t make a splash in terms of All-Star honors and similar accolades. What’s more important is how he earned the respect of fans, fellow players, and coaches. His dedication, consistently strong play, and deep commitment to the Lakers are still celebrated today.
Following his playing career, Rambis worked as a coach and executive for the Lakers as well as other teams. Let’s take a closer look at his life and career.
Kurt Rambis Early Life
Kurt Rambis was born Darrell Kurt Rambis in Terre Haute, Indiana on Feb. 25, 1958. His family relocated to Cupertino, CA, when he was a young child. He excelled in basketball at Cupertino High School and kept the success going into college.
Rambis attended Santa Clara University, where he shined as a player for the Broncos’ basketball program. Along the way, Rambis earned Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year honors from the West Coast Athletic Conference. He also ended his college career as the Bronco’s all-time leading scorer.
Kurt Rambis Playing Career
The New York Knicks picked up Rambis in the 1980 NBA Draft, but he never set foot on the court for them in the regular season. With his Greek ancestry, he instead found his way to the Greek League. Rambis helped his team, AEK Athens, win that league’s championship in 1981.
The Kurt Rambis Lakers era started in 1981, when he was signed to the team. The Knicks’ lack of interest didn’t phase the Lakers, and Rambis spent most of the Showtime era as a key member of the team.
While the stats record his accomplishments, they won’t tell you about his unique look or popularity with the fans. Kurt Rambis glasses were a popular souvenir stand item at the Forum. They help fans look like their hero, who wore distinct black glasses on the court.
Known for his physical play and reliability, it’s not surprising that these novelties were popular among the Laker faithful. The glasses help explain his popular nickname, Clark Kent, too. With his style of play, you can tell why he was also called Rambo during his time on the court as well.
Rambis earned four NBA championships during his first stint in LA, which lasted through 1988. Along with stars like Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Magic Johnson, he made Showtime more than just a catchphrase.
Kurt Rambis played one-to-two-season stints with the Hornets, Suns, and Kings before a final two seasons with the Lakers. During this time, he had his first experience as a coach.
Kurt Rambis Coaching Career
Kurt Rambis served as a Lakers’ assistant coach for several seasons. He even took the reins as head coach during the lockout-shortened 1998-1999 season before returning to the assistant role. During that time, he won another two NBA championships, bringing his career total to six.
In all, Rambis had three stints as an assistant coach with the Lakers. The most recent came in the 2013-2014 season.
Kurt Rambis Teams Coached & Executive Career
He also served as an assistant coach for the New York Knicks and led the Minnesota Timberwolves for two seasons. Kurt Rambis’ coaching record stands at 72-173.
In 2018, he returned to the Lakers in an executive capacity as a senior basketball advisor. Linda Rambis, Kurt’s wife, also holds a key role with the Lakers. She’s the team’s executive director of special projects.
Kurt Rambis Stats
With 14 NBA seasons under his belt, Kurt Rambis still racked up key stats as a player focused on helping his team win much more than individual accolades. His career stats include:
- G: 880
- PTS: 5.2
- TRB: 5.6
- AST: 1.1
- FG%: 53.4
- FG3%: 0.0
- FT%: 68.9
- eFG%: 53.4
- PER: 13.1
- WS: 38.3
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