UPDATE: In a shocking revelation, Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson has stated that his troubled partnership with star player Carmelo Anthony was a key factor in his exit from the New York Knicks in June 2017. This explosive claim comes from Jackson’s forthcoming book, “Masters of the Game: A Conversational History of the NBA in 75 Legendary Players,” set to hit bookstores on Tuesday.
Jackson, who served as Knicks president from 2014 to 2017, reflects on tense conversations with Knicks owner James Dolan. He recounts a pivotal moment where Dolan expressed concern about media pressure potentially forcing him out. Jackson candidly responded, “Unfortunately my relationship with Carmelo is kind of busted, and if he’s going to be here, it’s probably best that I go.”
This admission reveals the deep fissures that characterized Jackson’s time in New York. He believed that the fractured relationship with Anthony ultimately made coexisting impossible. The fallout from their dynamic was evident, as Jackson’s tenure was marked by public criticisms of the All-Star forward, which drew backlash from player representatives.
In the book, excerpts published by the New York Post detail Jackson’s insistence to Dolan that the team needed to trade Anthony. “I said, ‘I don’t want Carmelo back on the team; we’ve got to find a way to trade him,’” Jackson wrote. He emphasized that Anthony deserved a chance to compete for a championship, given his Hall of Fame status.
Jackson’s departure from the Knicks did not ease the tensions. Just three months later, Anthony was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder after waiving his no-trade clause. In a recent interview with Dwyane Wade, Anthony expressed his feelings about leaving New York, stating, “Phil pushed me out of New York. I struggled to leave New York.”
The revelations extend beyond just Jackson’s relationship with Anthony. He admits that hiring Derek Fisher as head coach was a mistake, citing Fisher’s unpreparedness for the role. Additionally, Jackson shared that his position with the Knicks strained his romantic relationship with Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, due to concerns about potential collusion within the league.
With the Knicks’ tumultuous past spotlighted in this new book, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how Jackson’s insights may influence perceptions of the franchise’s history. As anticipation builds for the book’s release, the basketball community is left to ponder the implications of Jackson’s revelations.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as it unfolds, and prepare for discussions on how these insights impact the legacies of both Jackson and Anthony.
