NBA coaching legend Phil Jackson says the media's treatment of Trump was similar to what he went through as Knicks president

• Phil Jackson said the media was "decidedly against" the Knicks while he was president.
• Jackson said he could relate to Trump's media treatment while he was president.
• Jackson was fired by the Knicks in 2017, saying team owner James Dolan did him a favor.

NBA coaching legend Phil Jackson believes he can relate to former President Donald Trump when it comes to treatment from the media.

Speaking on the podcast "The Curious Leader with Coby Karl," Jackson, 75, spoke openly about his time as president of the New York Knicks, which ended with his firing in 2017.

Jackson said the media was "decidedly against the organization" and was "looking for whatever they can do to throw aspersions on the organization."

Jackson later added: "I kind of understand what Trump had to live with probably for his first three-and-a-half years in office with the media."

Jackson referred to one incident in which he tweeted about being unable to change a leopard's spots, a reference to Michael Graham, a former player Jackson coached in the Continental Basketball Association.

Jackson said on the podcast that the media misinterpreted the tweet as a statement about Carmelo Anthony and caused a "firestorm."

"It was roundly made a racist remark, or whatever it was, that can be thrown into the mix," Jackson said. "Carmelo's agent was upset about it ... I made this statement, and it was just one of those things that created a firestorm."

Over his tenure as president, Jackson had a falling-out with Anthony that caused friction on the team. Jackson had re-signed Anthony to a five-year, $124 million contract and given him a no-trade clause but said on the podcast that he had hoped Anthony would be receptive to accepting a trade if things weren't working.

Jackson said on the podcast that Anthony was not "compliant."

Jackson also said Anthony attempted to be a leader but didn't know how.

"Carmelo, I think, wanted to be a leader, but I don't think he completely knew how to be a leader as a player," Jackson said. "And I think that the strength of his personality was intimidating to some of the coaches that were asked to coach the team. And so there wasn't this compliance that has to go between players and coaches."

Though Jackson didn't address it on the podcast, after a drama-fueled season in 2016-17, Kristaps Porzingis skipped his exit meeting with Jackson, reportedly due to the organization's dysfunction.

Months later, the Knicks fired Jackson, and Anthony was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder that September.

Jackson said on the podcast that Knicks owner James Dolan did him a favor by firing him.

"It was best to leave, and I think as a favor, Dolan relieved me of the job," Jackson said. "I think he actually did me a favor."

Jackson did call it disappointing that he wasn't able to lead the franchise to more success.