NBA

Jackson era begins: Dolan cedes power to new Knicks president

Knicks owner James Dolan’s message was clear: He’s backing away and letting the Zen Master right his sinking ship.

Admitting he’s been “out of his element,’’ Dolan said emphatically during Tuesday’s introductory press conference at the Garden that new team president Phil Jackson has complete control and he’s ready to butt out of basketball decisions.

Jackson said he wouldn’t have accepted the offer if he received anything but full control.

“We had this discussion in January about this particular aspect because Jim knew I wasn’t going to come if this didn’t happen,’’ Jackson said. “So there’s no reason not for him to have said it. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here.’’

With “Welcome Home, Phil” banners festooning the Garden, Jackson said winning his 14th overall NBA title as Knicks president “would be the pinnacle and capstone to the remarkable career I had. There’s no better place to win than New York City.’’

Jackson, during the 45-minute conference, made a handful of revelations:

  • Said signing Carmelo Anthony is very much still in the plans but added Melo has “another level he can go to.’’
  • Gave a lukewarm endorsement of Mike Woodson coaching next season.
  • Acknowledged he will have a home in Manhattan but be “back and forth’’ to the West Coast.
  • Hopes to build a selfless club in the image of his Knicks title teams of four decades ago.
  • Will encourage his coach to use his triangle offense.

Dolan sat on the podium to the right of Jackson and Steve Mills, who had “president” stripped from his title and will serve strictly as general manager.

Dolan said he “willingly and gratefully’’ will take a step back and let Jackson, who won 11 titles as coach and two as a Knicks power forward, do his thing.

“The two gentlemen to my left are the experts in basketball,’’ Dolan said. “I by no means am an expert in basketball. My expertise lies in managing companies. I think I’m a little out of my element.

“I found myself in a position where I needed to be more part of the decision-making. It wasn’t necessarily what I wanted to do. My whole job now is about supporting them in winning a championship.’’

Jackson, who accepted a five-year, $60 million contract, gave no bold proclamations, but said the Knicks need a culture change, claiming they’ve “suffered from a lack of continuity and solidarity.’’

Other than Anthony, Jackson spoke little about this season’s club, which is on a six-game winning streak and making a late playoff push. He said he will have to “go out and beat the bushes” to get players for next season.

“There’s no doubt about Carmelo being one of the top scorers in the league, maybe the best individual isolation player in the game,’’ Jackson said. “I have no problems with committing to saying Carmelo is in the future plans. I think there are a number of things I see Carmelo doing as he moves forward, and I think I was on record saying a year ago that I think Carmelo, as great a player as he is, still has another level he can go to.’’

Jackson attempted to clear up his living situation. He said he will get a place in Manhattan, but acknowledged the time he’ll spend in Los Angeles, where his fiancée, Lakers president Jeanie Buss, lives. Jackson, 68, also indicated he has health issues. The Post has reported he needs another knee replacement.

“I’ll be moving back and forth,’’ Jackson said. “There’s a lot of moves I have to make to get in New York City. There’s some medical things I have continue to have in LA. I have four children who live in California and eight grandchildren, six in California. There’s still ties there. [But] this is where I’ll establish myself.’’

Though he played for the Knicks from 1967 to 1978, he admitted the relocation is “a big challenge.’’

“Moving to New York is a big challenge to me because last week it was 80 degrees in L.A. with the water in front of the house and it was beautiful,’’ Jackson said. “It was 24 degrees when I landed [Monday]. It’s different. But there’s an energy that I’ve always remembered. That gives you that feeling of being involved in the city and the players have to be part of the city.’’

Two of his 1973 title mates, Dick Barnett and Walt Frazier, were on hand as was Peter DeBusschere, son of the late Dave DeBusschere. None of the current Knicks players nor Woodson attended. Buss also was absent.

“The idea of developing a culture is an overwrought word in the NBA right now, but that’s the cachet that brought me here,’’ Jackson said. “There are things I believe players should have. They should know they will be supported by the organization and coaching staff.

“We want to build a team,’’ Jackson added. “A team doesn’t have an ‘I’ in it. We’ve used that expression a few times as coaches. But this is a franchise that developed a team back in the ’60s that was consistently playing team basketball for seven, eight years,’’

Jackson said he has already spoken to Woodson and will speak to the team before Wednesday’s game against Indiana.

“Mike, he’s a very good basketball coach,’’ Jackson said. “He’s had a difficult season. He’s turning the team into a contender for the playoffs. Hopefully he can make that happen. We’ll have discussions at the end of the season with Mike.”

Jackson faces an uphill climb to get the Knicks into title contention without a draft pick this June or cap space until 2015. Jackson is eying the star-filled 2015 free-agent class to add “a scorer to help Carmelo along.’’

Jackson wouldn’t commit to when he feels the team will compete for a title.

“Now you jumped a long ways,’’ Jackson said. “We hope it’s going to happen. That’s why Jim brought me here. His desire to win a championship is a tremendous drive for him. I hope to take that load off of him a bit.’’