Although Lakers coach Phil Jackson never played a game for the Knicks’ 1969-70 championship team because he was on injured reserve with a back injury, the Zen Master said it was probably his most memorable season at the Garden.
Jackson served as a quasi-team photographer, helping out legendary lensman George Kalinsky while Jackson rehabbed.
Yesterday, as first reported in The Post, the Knicks announced a 40th anniversary celebration for the 1969-70 world championship team on Feb. 22, when the team plays the Bucks.
Jackson will be the only living member not present because the Lakers will be in Memphis on an off night. Because of health issues, Jackson declined the invite. Jackson played every game for the Knicks’ 1972-73 title team.
“He was my protégé,” Kalinsky told The Post. “He was a very good photographer, partly because he was tall. Red [Holzman] was always asking him advice and opinions and he was a third-year player.”
Jackson said of his photography skills, “George overrated it.”
Members of the 1969-70 champs are Dick Barnett, Don May, Nate Bowman, Willis Reed, Bill Bradley, Mike Riordan, Dave DeBusschere, Cazzie Russell, Walt Frazier, Dave Stallworth, Bill Hosket, John Warren and Jackson.
The head coach was Holzman, the GM was Eddie Donovan and the trainer was Danny Whelan. Those three are deceased and will be represented by family members on the court, as will DeBusschere.
“When sports fans all over this country historically think of great teams, the 1969-70 Knickerbockers championship squad is always near the top of the list,” Knicks president Donnie Walsh said.
Mike D’Antoni faced a similar cast in 1972-73 as a reserve for the Kansas City Kings.
“I just remember when we were in Kansas City, I pulled the chair around, I knew it would be a clinic on the floor,” D’Antoni said. “It was a great team in the true sense of the word — team.”
* Lakers forward Ron Artest hopes his hometown team is able to woo LeBron James away from Cleveland this summer.
“With all due respect to Cleveland, we need star power in New York,” Artest said. “I can come down and beat up on them but we need star power here.”
Former president Bill Clinton announced on court at halftime Haiti donations from Pau Gasol ($1,000 per point, adding up to $20,000 last night) and Danilo Gallinari.