Mark Jackson has told his side of the story, after The Post reported on why he did not finalize a deal to become a color commentator for the Knicks on MSG.
Jackson had previously been said to be nearing an agreement to fill in for the legendary Walt “Clyde” Frazier on a package of road games.
The Post’s Andrew Marchand reported Wednesday that Knicks president Leon Rose made the call that Jackson would not be permitted on the team plane, as current Knicks assistant Darren Erman had an ugly falling out with Jackson in 2014.
At the time, Jackson was head coach of the Warriors and Erman was an assistant on his staff.
Erman was reportedly fired for secretly recording Jackson and other players.
Jackson responded to The Post’s report in an Instagram video Thursday night.
“Come on, man. Come on. At some point, the lies have got to stop. The lies have got to stop,” Jackson said.
“I’ve sat back year after year year, listening to lies, questioning me as a man and my integrity. What I stand for, what I was raised on, has been questioned. I sat back and didn’t say anything.”
Jackson quoted Colorado head coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, who has quipped that he “lost the address to the high road.”
“I’m not there yet, but I’m getting closer, because there’s a side of me that’s fed up, that’s upset that you keep smearing my name,” Jackson said.
Jackson said The Post’s report said he “was fired or dismissed from calling Knicks games”.
The Post’s report did not claim Jackson was fired or dismissed — it said he could have taken the job, but he would have had to fly commercial.
The report added that the hassle wasn’t worth it given any money Jackson was paid by MSG would have been offset from what he’s owed by ESPN after the network parted ways with him with time left on his contract this past summer.
Ultimately, the former Knicks point guard decided to pass on the opportunity.
“Jackson could have chosen to fly commercial, stay in a different hotel and find a way to the arena, but it is arduous; especially with back-to-backs and without really being paid extra for his effort,” the report said.
Jackson, in his video, said the job didn’t have the “ideal” time or conditions, but the left the door open for the future.
“Over a week ago, I turned that job down due to the fact that it wasn’t the ideal conditions and it wasn’t the ideal time for me,” Jackson said.
“You never know what the future holds. They say, once a Knick, always a Knick. I bleed inside of me blue and orange. I dreamt of playing for the Knicks and calling game for the Knicks.
“It would’ve been a dream accomplished. It just didn’t work out. I give the reporter credit. Four calls yesterday from reporters trying to get a quote from me. I did not respond because I don’t play that game. I let it alone thinking it would die and nobody would know what happened, but over a week ago I turned the job down.”
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