James Dolan has at least one backer in his corner: David Fizdale.
The Knicks head coach defended the team's embattled owner Tuesday when asked about Dolan's personality, which has recently created headlines due to an altercation with a fan at Madison Square Garden on Saturday that resulted in Dolan having the fan removed and threatening to ban him from future games.
Fizdale, the first-year coach of the league-worst Knicks, said Dolan has been "incredibly supportive" during the trying season, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post.
"He's been just been a delight with how supportive he's been," Fizdale continued. "Coming in and encouraging me before every home game. Constantly reminding me, 'Stick to the plan, hang in there, keep developing, keep growing them, keep them fighting,' and we'll deal with the result. I've just been really lucky with how he's been.
"It's been unbelievable with the guys, what his message is to the guys the times that he's spoken to them. It's been really delightful."
It's not the first time Dolan has struggled with image issues, as his run-ins with former fan favorite Charles Oakley caused a riff between the two parties in 2017. Recently, Oakley called Dolan a "bully."
Dolan is scheduled to make an appearance on "The Michael Kay Show" on ESPN FM 98.7 at 5 p.m. Tuesday to presumably discuss the recent controversies and the state of the organization.