Former Knick Bill Bradley once ran for president of the United States, and now his buddy Phil Jackson has inherited the presidency of the Knicks. Now, Bradley predicts a major overhaul for the Knicks and said he feels owner James Dolan has hired the best man in basketball for the renovation.
It’s reason enough for Bradley to head to the Garden more often — probably sitting next to Jackson, his teammate on NBA title teams in 1970 and 1973. Bradley was aware of the talks since mid-December. He said he didn’t interfere but encouraged both parties of the possibilities.
“Jim Dolan really wants to win, and I think he decided to get the best guy to make that happen,’’ Bradley told The Post Thursday via phone. “I think he got the best guy in Phil. Give Jim a lot of credit. I just know Phil’s calling the basketball shots. So it’s in the best possible hands.’’
Bradley and Jackson have remained friends over the years. It became tradition for Bradley to travel to one NBA Finals game each time Jackson coached in one. Now he will see his former mate a lot more often.
“It’s great,’’ said Bradley, a managing director at Allen & Company. “When Dave [DeBusschere] left, Phil was my roommate. I think he’s got an unparalleled record, a good head on his shoulders, knows what’s important in building a winning culture. That’s a great combination and now I’ll be able to see him more frequently.’’
No, Bradley isn’t interested in consulting or a Knicks front office job, but certainly Jackson will pick his brain. And Bradley said he is anxious to see if Jackson, who has a record 11 NBA coaching titles, can do with Carmelo Anthony what the Zen Master did with Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal — make him a champion.
“Phil will create a culture, then put pieces together,’’ Bradley said. “A coach, a system, and players who will fit into that system. Carmelo Anthony is a tremendous talent. Jordan became a believer. No reason Carmelo couldn’t become a believer as well. There’s a real possibility it will succeed.’’
Jackson was slated to head back to his Los Angeles home after watching the Knicks upset Indiana on Wednesday in his first game as president. He plans to join the Knicks on their West Coast trip that begins in Los Angeles versus the Lakers on Tuesday, though whether he shows up at Staples Center is dicey considering L.A. fans feel he has abandoned them.
Bradley said he believes Jackson will pick up where he left off and enjoy living in Manhattan, as he did during his Knicks playing days between 1967-78. He isn’t surprised Jackson is coming out of retirement at age 68.
“I think he’s experienced New York when New York basketball fans had a winning team,’’ Bradley said. “He knows it’s the best place in the world to win, best place in the world to be a winner. That’s not something he read about. It’s something he experienced. That and the challenge of creating his own team was really important.
“He’s a competitor,’’ Bradley added. “He loves the game. Why wouldn’t he take on the Big Apple challenge?’’
Although Bradley was considered the Knicks’ most cerebral player, former legendary coach Red Holzman took a liking most to Jackson — the lanky, backup defensive power forward.
“Red’s smiling up there, knowing Phil’s now running the team he drafted him to,’’ Bradley said.
Bradley said it’s too soon to talk of Jackson breaking the 41-year title curse.
“Yeah, I can imagine it, but it’s one decision at a time, one season at a time,’’ Bradley said. “Patience is important for everybody now. It’s patience, a plan and execute the plan. Same thing I learned from a political campaign.’’