Phil Jackson was a no-show Monday, when the Hospital for Special Surgery honored Bill Bradley at its annual tribute gala, but the former Knicks president was not far from the Knicks legend’s thoughts.
Willis Reed, Earl Monroe, Dick Barnett and Walt Frazier, part of the Knicks’ 1970s glory days, were on hand at the Museum of Natural History to honor Bradley, their former teammate, and Dr. Paul Pellicci, who performed hip replacements on “Dollar Bill’’ in 2006 and 2014.
Jackson stayed in Montana, believed to be hesitant to upstage the event after his failed team presidency. Jackson and Bradley were very tight and were part of the only two Knicks title teams in 1970 and 1973.