MILWAUKEE — James Dolan had an expectation about the media’s impact on Phil Jackson. But, as it turned out, it was Carmelo Anthony who really stirred the pot.

In an upcoming book set to release on November 4, Jackson explores his complicated relationship with Anthony. He reflects on how the Knicks contributed to the end of his engagement with Jeanie Buss, reveals his interest in hiring University of Virginia coach Tony Bennett, and shares insights from his discussions with Dolan prior to their mutual separation in 2017.

Jackson recounted a conversation with Dolan, who expressed concern over media scrutiny. “Dolan asked me, ‘Are you going to be run out of town by the media?’ I replied, ‘I know who they are.’ But Dolan seemed worried, saying he didn’t want me to go through that. I had to admit, things with Carmelo had really fallen apart. I figured if he was going to stay, it would be better for me to go.”

The tension between Jackson and Anthony was evident throughout their time together, largely due to differing philosophies on play style. Jackson favored a triangle offense with an emphasis on ball movement, which didn’t align with Anthony’s approach. “[Jeff] Hornacek mentioned that Carmelo wanted the ball,” Jackson noted.

Despite having a no-trade clause, Anthony was resistant to leaving the Knicks.

In the book, Jackson states, “I told Dolan we needed to find a way to trade him. I said, ‘Let’s strategize.’ [Anthony’s agent] Leon Rose told us that winning a championship was unlikely. Carmelo should be on a team with a chance; he deserves it as a Hall of Fame player.”

Jackson also shared a discussion with former Nuggets coach George Karl, who recalled Anthony’s refusal to follow the defensive strategy against the Lakers in the 2009 Western Conference Finals, partly for personal reasons. Karl noted, “‘Kobe’s going to get 30 points, and we have to stop everyone else.’ But Carmelo piped up, ‘No, I disagree. We need to protect Kobe.’”

Ultimately, the Lakers, under Jackson’s coaching, emerged victorious in that series, with Bryant leading in points.

Reflecting on his experiences with Anthony in New York, Jackson expressed clarity about the player often blamed for impacting the tenures of Jeremy Lin and Mike D’Antoni negatively.

Anthony would eventually waive his no-trade clause to join the Thunder in September 2017, shortly after Jackson’s exit.

In the book, Jackson discusses his draft picks, mentioning Kristaps Porzingis as a beneficial selection but noting his brother’s interference. He also reflected on Frank Ntilikina, saying, “I thought he would excel, but the NBA game just didn’t fit him.”

Additionally, Jackson admitted that hiring Derek Fisher as a head coach was not a good decision; he just wasn’t ready to take the reins. Jackson even attempted to recruit Tony Bennett, stating, “My child is still in high school so I wouldn’t do that.” While it was confirmed that Jackson reached out, Bennett ultimately decided to stay at UVA.

Despite facing many challenges during his tenure with the Knicks, Jackson’s biggest regret appears to be losing his romantic relationship with Jeanie Buss. They ended their four-year engagement in 2016, reportedly under pressure from the NBA.

Jackson noted, “I told her, ‘I don’t think we can make this work.’ I signed a deal supposedly worth $60 million to run the Knicks’ front office, but she insisted it would be fine. I think the league worried about potential collusion.”

Jackson’s book also penetrates the world of championship players like Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and Michael Jordan, and fondly mentions former teammates like Dave Debshire, Willis Reed, Clyde Frazier, and Earl Monroe. His reflections on them seem markedly more positive compared to those on Carmelo Anthony.