Throwback Thursday: Kurt Rambis and his role as a supporting cast member of the Showtime Era

Photo Courtesy of hoops-nation.com

Long before his days as an assistant coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, Darrell Kurt Rambis was known as a gritty power forward from Indiana who awed everyone with his hustle plays and signature look: the thick mustache which was complemented by his thick black-rimmed glasses, a look that earned him the nickname "Superman" from the great Chick Hearn.

Rambis was a huge part of the Showtime Lakers and was often the enforcer who was not afraid to do the dirty work for the team. He played extremely physically, fighting for the loose boards and pushing opponents out of the key. His scuffle with Kevin McHale which lead to the infamous "clothesline" incident highlighted Rambis' entire hard mentality because he had to fight for every minute he was on the floor. He was not a great scorer and was a decent defender but one thing was clear that all of his opponents understood: If you are going to step on the court against him, you are definitely in for a showdown.

Drafted by the New York Knicks with the 58th pick of the third round in 1980, nothing about Rambis' career was solidified. Soon enough, the Knicks released Rambis before the start of the season, leaving the 6 ft 8 forward to cross the seas to play in Greece for the AEK Athens ball club; that ball club would go on to win the championship in the Greek league a year later.

During the off season, Rambis made a return to New York but after being held out of every single game with the Knicks, he was eventually signed by the Lakers where he would help the squad bring four championships in 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988. Kurt found a home in the city of Angels, a city that finally appreciated his scrappiness on the boards and the hustle he provided as the ultimate team player.

Rambis never really had plays run for him, his efficiency in field goal percentages all spawn from his willingness to fight for offensive rebounds and subsequent put backs. He never averaged more than 13.4 points per game in 36 minutes of playing time, however he was averaging huge numbers on the rebounding column. Rambis averaged a whopping 12.9 rebounds in the '83-'84 season and consistently racked up huge numbers for the majority of his career. His career totals are quite astounding with a field goal efficiency of .689, 11.0 TRB (Total Rebounds Per 36 minutes of playing time), and 10.2 points per game.

So yeah, he may always be known as the guy who got clotheslined but that was what made Rambis such a significant player; he did the sort of things that no body else wanted to do which is really what a coach wants in a team player. Rambis never had it easy in the NBA and he had to earn  all the respect that he had garnered within his 14 years of playing professionally, from the day he got drafted to his eventual retirement in 1995.

Photo Courtesy of www.china.org.cn

After Rambis retired, he became a huge member of the coaching staff under the Phil Jackson Era before leaving Los Angeles for the Minnesota Timberwolves for a head coach position in 2009. However, on July 29, 2013, Rambis officially returned to Los Angeles where he, once again, became a member of the coaching staff.

Currently, Rambis is still the assistant head coach of the team that gave him his biggest break. He continues to show his extreme dedication and work ethic to Los Angeles, the city that adored him and still continues to adore him as he tries to help the Lakers win yet another championship from the sidelines to the court.