I really don't understand why this needs to be a conversation.
Before Jalen got to NY, Rick was an NBA assistant for 8 seasons and an NBA player for 9 seasons. He worked for Thibs at different stops and played for Thibs. The relationship goes deep. He got hired here before we signed JB. Did hiring him help us get JB? Probably! That's a good thing, JB is one of the best players in Knicks history, the best FA signing in Knicks history and literally a godsend for Knicks fans. I'd have hired his mom and sister to if that's what it took to get him here. That said, Thibs was probably gonna hire Rick anyway given Rick was on his staff before. Now Thibs isn't here. Jalen doesn't require Rick. He has never said he has required Rick. This isn't Lebron requiring his son to be on the team. If Rick is still here with the new staff, it doesn't mean that Jalen required Rick. Is it a nice to have? I'm sure it is! People basically creating a narrative that Jalen is pulling strings for Rick's interest is just fan-fiction. People love Twilight I suppose.