HoopsHype.com Rumors

SI.com: It was pretty consistently reported that you quit and were not fired. But there is still some doubt because what you did was unusual. "Quitting" almost always means "fired." So which is it? M.D.: I absolutely resigned. I was in my car driving to shootaround and it just came to me. That's it. It's inevitable. I have to resign. We're not going anywhere. I made the decision then and there. I called Glen [Grunwald, the Knicks' general manager] and told him that I was coming in to do it. Then I called Laurel [his wife] to tell her. Glen called in Mr. Dolan [Knicks owner James Dolan] and I met them after shootaround and told them that I was resigning. SI.com

New York Knicks, Coaching, Mike D'Antoni, James Dolan 

It was pretty consistently reported that you quit and were not fired. But there is still some doubt because what you did was unusual. "Quitting" almost always means "fired." So which is it? Mike D'Antoni: I absolutely resigned. I was in my car driving to shootaround and it just came to me. That's it. It's inevitable. I have to resign. We're not going anywhere. I made the decision then and there. I called Glen [Grunwald, the Knicks' general manager] and told him that I was coming in to do it. Then I called Laurel [his wife] to tell her. Glen called in Mr. Dolan [Knicks owner James Dolan] and I met them after shootaround and told them that I was resigning. SI.com

New York Knicks, Coaching, Mike D'Antoni, James Dolan 

Despite his eccentric methods, Knicks owner James Dolan always seemed bent on breaking the Knicks championship drought, now at 39 years. Often, Dolan went about it the wrong way, but money never was an object. That is why close Dolan watchers are stunned the Knicks owner didn’t at least put a phone call out to Playa del Rey to gauge if Phil Jackson had interest in returning to the Knicks, where he owns a championship ring from their last title in 1973, when he was a reserve power forward. Jackson also owns a ring from the Knicks only other title — 1969 — but was on the sidelines with a back injury. New York Post

New York Knicks, Phil Jackson, Coaching, James Dolan 

Lakers executive Jeanie Buss, Jackson’s longtime girlfriend, was on Los Angeles radio Friday, saying Jackson “has his energy back.’’ Some took it as Jeanie sending a message across the country to Dolan. Not true. Contacted Saturday, Jeanie said she was just answering a question on Phil’s health. The Zen Master had knee replacement surgery 5 ½ weeks ago, and she contends he is fit. Jeanie confirmed there has been no contact from the Knicks, not even feelers. And that’s OK. “He’s walking better than he has in years and has his energy back and I have no idea if he even wants to coach again,’’ Jeanie said. “He’s lost weight. I didn’t mean for anyone to confuse that to mean he was asking for the Knicks job or trying to return to the Lakers.’’ New York Post

New York Knicks, Phil Jackson, Coaching, James Dolan 

Would he accept the Knicks job? She’s unsure. Nevertheless, there have been indications Jackson would not have hung up the phone if the Knicks called. New York Post

New York Knicks, Phil Jackson, Coaching, James Dolan 

Tommy Dee: Source tells me that the #knicks will reach out to Phil Jackson via "back channels"... Don't know who he is but sounds promising Twitter

New York Knicks, Phil Jackson, Coaching, James Dolan 

Responding to reports, including in The Post, that owner James Dolan requested Woodson to drop Larry Brown’s representative, Joe Glass, a team spokesman said Woodson has no qualms about finding a new agent but declined to comment further comment because his representation is “my personal business.’’ Glass and Dolan feuded during Brown’s 2006 contract dispute. Nevertheless, a person close to Brown said Glass’ recent hospitalization and hip surgery was also a factor. “The parting was necessary and mutual,” the source said. “They remain great friends.’’ New York Post

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Coaching, James Dolan, Larry Brown 

Frank Isola: James Dolan once suspended Latrell Sprewell for showing up for training camp with a broken hand. This could get ugly Twitter

New York Knicks, Amare Stoudemire, James Dolan, Injuries, Latrell Sprewell 

Dolan, according to sources, feels badly that Thomas became the face of the Garden’s highly publicized sexual harassment case after a jury ruled in favor of a former female executive and determined that MSG was a hostile working environment. New York Daily News

New York Knicks, Isiah Thomas, James Dolan 

According to sources, Dolan isn’t ready to name Thomas to a formal Knicks’ position – even with Donnie Walsh’s quasi- consulting position soon coming to an end. The Post reported last summer the Knicks owner still maintains a friendship with Thomas but was disappointed his compadre publicly spoke about wanting Donnie Walsh’s position and believed he was secretly lobbying with select media members. New York Post

New York Knicks, Isiah Thomas, James Dolan 

Thomas would be better off with the Pistons, where the fan base loves him and owner Bill Davidson, with whom he feuded after retirement, has passed on. “I’d be shocked if anything happened officially,’’ one person familiar with the Knicks thinking said. “James still takes Isiah’s calls but that’s as far as the friendship goes. I’m sure Isiah will mount a public relations campaign to make it seem the Knicks may want him.’’ New York Post

New York Knicks, Isiah Thomas, James Dolan 

A report made the claim that the Knicks withheld Jeremy Lin's knee injury from the public in an effort to sell playoff tickets. A strong claim, but one that certainly makes sense considering the Knicks sat on the information that Lin had a torn meniscus for four days before finally announcing his surgery. The only explanation as to why you'd hold back on an announcement is to see what Lin would decide. Or to use him a promotional device to sell some playoff ticket packages and collect the interest on the sales. Either or. MSG and Cablevision though dispute that assertion, issuing statements Monday afternoon: Knicks owner Jim Dolan: “I understand that there will always be those who are critical of anyone who owns a controlling interest in three New York sports franchises. But, Mr. Zuckerman's attempts to parlay this into a favorable arrangement for himself could not be more misguided.” CBSSports.com

New York Knicks, James Dolan, Jeremy Lin 

Cablevision: “Today's story in the New York Daily News is just another in a long list of articles and cover stories designed to provoke Cablevision and The Madison Square Garden Company. Mr. Zuckerman has engaged in a campaign of intimidation and extortion to effect a merger between Newsday and the Daily News. He has made repeated overtures to Mr. Dolan and his executives to combine the operations with joint ownership and shared printing and editorial expense. This proposal was rejected multiple times. CBSSports.com

New York Knicks, James Dolan, Jeremy Lin 

Jeff Zillgitt: James Dolan in statement: "We mutually agreed that it would be best for the organization if he did not continue in his role as coach ..." Twitter

New York Knicks, Coaching, Mike D'Antoni, James Dolan 

Marc J. Spears: Source close to situation says Knicks intrigued about a Dwight Howard deal, but says no way it includes Melo since James Dolan "loves him." Twitter

New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Trade, Dwight Howard, James Dolan 

According to a source, Dolan is not ready to give up on his signature acquisition. In fact, Dolan has let it be known that he does not intend to move any of his top players prior to Thursday's trading deadline. "He said he's not trading anyone," said the source, with direct contact with Dolan. "He said it's up to the coach to figure it out." New York Daily News

New York Knicks, Trade, Carmelo Anthony, James Dolan 

On March 12, 2007, Dolan conducted a 30-minute interview with reporters who cover the team. He has not been interviewed since — a streak of silence worthy of a Benedictine monk. Dozens of players have passed through Madison Square Garden in that time, from Earl Barron to Chris Wilcox. Isiah Thomas was fired and (briefly) rehired. The Garden lost a sexual harassment lawsuit and waged war with Time Warner. Donnie Walsh came and left. Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony arrived. Linsanity happened. It all unfolded without a single public word from Dolan, the media-shy owner of a media empire. Well, there have been a few words — in press releases and brief prepared statements. Otherwise, Dolan has been out of sight and off limits for five years running. New York Times

New York Knicks, James Dolan 

So when will the refurbished Garden finally get its NBA All-Star Game? It won’t be 2014, but you can bet big on 2015, according to sources familiar with the situation. New York Post

New York Knicks, James Dolan, David Stern, Madison Square Garden 

Once Knicks owner James Dolan kicked off plans for his $800 million Garden transformation, one of the big events he has eyed was bringing the NBA All-Star Game back to New York. But it has yet to become reality despite recent bids. NBA commissioner David Stern has insisted the transformation be completed before bringing the event to the Big Apple. Stern passed on the Garden for next season, choosing Houston in an announcement made last week. New York Post

New York Knicks, James Dolan, David Stern, Madison Square Garden 

While the final stage of the three-summer Garden project is expected to be finished in time for the 2014 All-Star Game, a person familiar with the NBA’s thinking said New York is not expected to be considered because the Super Bowl will be on Feb. 2 in East Rutherford, just two weeks earlier. “It just wouldn’t make sense having two of the biggest sports events just two weeks apart,’’ one person familiar with Stern’s thinking said. However, sources believe the 2015 game at the Garden is a virtual lock. The Knicks haven’t hosted the All-Star Game since 1999. New York Post

New York Knicks, James Dolan, David Stern, Madison Square Garden