Dolan says he's taking hands-off approach to Knicks

New York Knicks owner James Dolan has enacted a new policy when people inquire about the state of affairs at Madison Square Garden: "Ask Phil."

Dolan visited with Fox 5 New York on Monday and claimed to be scaling back his involvement on the basketball side of operations, reports ESPN's Ian Begley.

"It's all Phil. It's all Steve," Dolan said, referring to team president Phil Jackson and general manager Steve Mills. "I'm working on my music, they're working on the basketball team."

Dolan is known to enjoy wielding his considerable influence over the day-to-day management of the team, sometimes to the point of distraction. The biggest blowup in recent memory was a protracted feud with Knicks legend Charles Oakley - a bold choice of adversary, considering the affection many have toward the gritty former player.

But with the front office, especially Jackson, absorbing much of the fan base's ire over how the team has handled discontent from Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis, Dolan has managed to keep a relatively low profile.

That affords him more time to devote to his favorite hobby: leading his blues rock band, JD & the Straight Shot. So on aggregate, are fans really much better off?