The New York Knicks are reportedly expected to part ways with president Phil Jackson early Wednesday morning.
To quote Ron Burgundy: “Boy, that escalated quickly.”Mere hours after Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported that James Dolan was “weighing the future” of Phil Jackson, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne dropped a bomb of the Woj variety on us.
The Zen Master and the Knicks are expected to part ways early Wednesday morning.
Knicks and President Phil Jackson are expected to announce that they're parting ways early Wednesday morning, sources told ESPN.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) June 28, 2017
This comes after Dolan picked up the option for the final two years on Jackson’s contract.
Also, it’s less than six months removed from Dolan’s appearance on the Michael Kay Show when he gave Jackson a public ringing endorsement.
Per Shelburne, the talks between Jackson and Dolan accelerated when the team decided they wouldn’t buy out Carmelo Anthony‘s contract.
Conversations between Jackson and Knicks owner James Dolan accelerated this week when the Knicks decided they would NOT buy out Carmelo
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) June 28, 2017
Dolan overplayed his hand with Melo. Who would have thought that insulting your star player repeatedly in the media and on Twitter would have repercussions?
This is the NBA after all.
Phil had obviously made it known he thought it was time for the organization to move on from Carmelo, but with no way of doing that….
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) June 28, 2017
Jackson wasn’t going to stay past the two years left on his deal. Everybody knew that. He had checked out a long time ago. The debate will rage on forever as to whether or not he ever checked in at all.
And no plans to lead the organization beyond the remaining two years on his contract, Jackson and Dolan had to decide how to proceed
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) June 28, 2017
The Melo nonsense has been going on for months. It must have been the public trade discussions about Kristaps Porzingis that finally got Dolan’s attention.
According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, some people close to Dolan have been pushing for him to consider firing Jackson for much of the season. I guess the billionaire owner finally listened.
Sources: Some people close to NYK owner James Dolan have been pushing for him to consider removing Phil Jackson for much of the season — https://t.co/6VTk8nGFD2
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 28, 2017