OWNER: PHIL OR BUST
WON’T INITIATE OPT-OUT CLAUSE ON JACKSON
Knicks owner James Dolan gave an emphatic endorsement of Phil Jackson, saying he plans to keep the embattled team president for the full five years of his contract, is staying out of his way and still thinks he has time to turn it around.
None of it is good news for Carmelo Anthony, who is at war with the Zen Master.
“Phil has two more years after this to work and develop and I’m going to honor my deal with him,’’ Dolan told The Post’s Mike Vaccaro on Friday. “And that includes keeping my hands off.”
Dolan added Jackson’s “a great basketball mind,” which is keeping his faith.
When asked about Dolan’s proclamation, Anthony said: “This is [Dolan’s] organization and his team. We shouldn’t have an opinion about that or questioning it.’’
While speaking to ESPN Radio’s Michael Kay to address Charles Oakley’s Garden ban, Dolan said Jackson’s five-year, $60 million contract had no requirements on how soon he would win.
There have been reports of a mutual opt-out clause after the season between the two sides, which would give Dolan a chance perhaps to save some money if he were to part ways with Jackson.
“I’m not going to exercise any opt-outs,” Dolan said on the radio. “I’m in it till the end.”
Dolan insisted he is committed despite the fact the Knicks are headed toward a third straight losing season. Dolan confirmed The Post’s report he is staying out of the Jackson-Anthony feud.
“First off, both guys are trying,’’ Dolan told The Post. “I won’t get in the middle of it. How I feel is irrelevant when it comes to what happens with Melo and Phil.”
The comments were Dolan’s first in more than a year regarding Jackson’s future. In his comments, however, Dolan didn’t come close to commending the job Jackson has done.
“Three years ago, I signed a contract with Phil, the man who has won more championship rings than anybody else,’’ Dolan said on the radio. “He was the best guy we can find to run the Knicks. The agreement didn’t say we had to have this amount of wins by this time. Whether I like the results or don’t like the results. I am going to honor that agreement. All the way to the end. It’s not over yet. My hope is that the team will become much, much better and Phil will be successful.”
Jackson has turned the roster over almost three times. The Knicks posted records of 17-65 and 32-50 the first two seasons, and are 11 games under .500 (22-33) after Friday’s 131-123 loss to the Nuggets.
Jackson also has alienated Anthony, whom he is looking to trade, perhaps hurting his chances at future free-agent stars.
Dolan didn’t exactly praise Jackson’s style, but said he is not giving up on his vision.
“I am going to honor my agreement,’’ Dolan said. “It doesn’t matter whether I think he is right or whether he’s wrong, etc. He’s got at least a little more than two years left and he has every right to continue on with that agreement for the full time and let’s hope that he is successful.”
Jackson could back out early under the contract terms and perhaps get a settlement package.
“I have gotten no indication that he is planning on doing anything than staying through the entire length of the contract,’’ Dolan told ESPN Radio.
If he is disgusted by the optics of Jackson’s controversial tweets and failure to talk to the New York media and team website, Dolan wouldn’t say.
“Part of his agreement is he completely controls his own public relations, his own fan relations,’’ Dolan said.
Given the opportunity to praise any of Jackson’s work, Dolan stopped short.
“I won’t comment because from the position I’m in, Phil doesn’t need to hear it from me about the job,’’ Dolan said. “But it’s a five-year deal, guys. Maybe at the end of five years, we’ll see. But right now, while he’s still in the middle of his deal and he’s doing that job, I’m staying out.”
Regarding the fourth coach during the Jackson reign, Jeff Hornacek, Dolan said he hasn’t come to any conclusions, but enjoys his banter.
“I like him as a person. He’ a really nice guy, but in terms of the job he’s doing, I have no idea,’’ Dolan told The Post. “I see the same things you see on the court. As an individual, I find Jeff to be particularly likable and easy to talk to.”