Phil Jackson calls out NBA Commissioner Adam Silver for criticizing the Knicks

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has been getting positive reviews from players and fans alike after taking over for David Stern, but Silver’s comments about the New York Knicks seem to have rubbed Knicks president Phil Jackson the wrong way. After the Knicks lost to the Pistons last week to drop to 2-3, Silver jokingly noted that the Knicks were still getting used to Jackson’s signature triangle offense.



Via ESPN:

“Clearly, they’re still learning the triangle. I still don’t understand it. But they’re learning it. But that’s what the game is all about.”

Since Silver made that remark, the Knicks have lost three straight. On Monday, Jackson said that he didn’t think Silver’s joke was very funny.

“I wasn’t so humored by the commissioner actually jumping in on top of that, too,” he said. “He doesn’t need to get in on that. There’s enough focus on [the] triangle. It’s not anything. It’s a system. It’s simple basketball. Just play the game. We’re over the triangle; let’s get to business and play the right way.”

Silver and Jackson have a bit of a history. Silver fined the Knicks $25,000 for tampering in June, after Jackson publicly made comments about then-Oklahoma City guard Derek Fisher, who would go on to become the Knicks’ head coach.