Phil Jackson is no longer team president of the New York Knicks after running one of the worst eras in the history of the franchise and clashing continuously with star player Carmelo Anthony.
Days after Jackson reiterated his desire to trade Anthony and saying he would be willing to listen to proposals for Kristaps Porzingis, Madison Square Garden chief executive James Dolan shifted course and parted ways with Jackson on Wednesday.
“After careful analysis and reflection, we have mutually agreed that the Knicks will take a different direction,” Dolan said in a statement. “Phil Jackson is one of the most celebrated and successful individuals in NBA history. His legacy in the basketball game is second to none.”
However, his first job as an executive was dreadful. Jackson, who imposed an NBA record with 11 championships as a coach, failed to lead the Knicks to the playoffs. New York recorded a 80-166 mark in his three full seasons, including the franchise’s worst record of 17-65 during the 2014-15 season.
The decision comes less than a week after Jackson led the Knicks during this year’s NBA draft and before the start of free agency next Saturday. Dolan said General Manager Steve Mills will handle the team’s daily operations in the short term.
Jackson was a Hall of Fame coach with the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers, and garnered titles with several of the league’s top stars including Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. He was also part of the Knicks when he won his NBA championships as a player in 1970 and 1973.
His return to the organization came amid a huge fanfare in March 2014, but shortly thereafter it became clear that the transition would not be as good as most people expected.
First-year coach Derek Fisher lasted only a season and a half, and Jackson’s trades and free agency acquisitions failed to improve the team.
