The New York Knicks and team president Phil Jackson announced Wednesday morning that they mutually agreed to part ways, and it didn't take long for reactions from followers of the team to start pouring in.
The consensus? Knicks superfan Spike Lee seemed to sum it up pretty well.
Of course, Lee wasn't the only one to weigh in on the news, as several other prominent figures across the sports world -- including ESPN's resident Jackson critic, Stephen A. Smith -- offered their takes.
Nooooo @Espngreeny. Don't stop that music. Don't stop spreading that news. Yes! He's leaving! Yes! He's leaving! Spread that damn news!!!!
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) June 28, 2017
Hell Yes I'm on vacation. But for this news about PHIL...it's worth coming off. See y'all on @FirstTake in 20 min.#BuckleTheHellUp
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) June 28, 2017
Phil Jackson worked for the Knicks for 1,200 days. He was paid $60 million for it or $50,000 a day.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) June 28, 2017
A lot of smiles from New Yorkers outside Madison Square Garden this morning. The common refrain: "It's about time" pic.twitter.com/qcfL3Rkrmz
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) June 28, 2017
Damn the knicks just released Phil Jackson, I guess he must've really considered the KP to Lakers trade #loveislove
— Evan Turner (@thekidet) June 28, 2017
Phil Jackson did this job for the $$$. The @Knicks have finally made the right move by parting ways but now I wonder what Dolan is thinking.
— Jay Williams (@RealJayWilliams) June 28, 2017
Perfect analogy for Phil Jackson's tenure with The Knicks? A Boat owner. Two happiest days are the day you buy the boat & day you sell it
— trey wingo (@wingoz) June 28, 2017
Salary over last 3 years:
— Paul Hembekides (@PaulHembo) June 28, 2017
- Phil Jackson ($36M)
- Stephen Curry ($34.1M)
To say the least, Jackson's time as New York's president was tumultuous. The Knicks completed a disappointing 31-51 season in April and missed the playoffs for the fourth straight year. They were 80-166 in Jackson's three full seasons as team president, losing at least 50 games in each of them.
