Irving involved in bringing Phil to Knicks

THE LONG & SHORT OF IT: Insiders confide that Irving Azoff played a key role in bringing Phil Jackson to Swerv’s MSG partner James Dolan’s New York Knicks. Azoff, a longtime Lakers season ticket holder, and the former Lakers coach have been close friends for years, and the two were spotted together last week in NYC. During this morning’s press conference during which Phil was introduced as Knicks President, Dolan revealed that he’d been introduced to Jackson by Azoff at the latter’s Christmas party last year. He said the hire wouldn’t have been pulled off without Azoff’s involvement—that Irving had shepherd the deal from start to finish and acted as negotiator between Dolan and Jackson. (3/18a)