9:57 PM: Oakley has been charged with three counts of assault for striking MSG’s security guards and criminal trespassing, according to Ian Begley of ESPN.com (Twitter links). A police source tells Begley that the incident began with Oakley making comments toward Dolan and eventually Dolan told security to escort him out of the arena.
8:41 PM: Former NBA player Charles Oakley was removed from Madison Square Garden tonight as a result of a physical altercation, as Ian Begley of ESPN.com relays (series of Twitter links). Oakley was apparently trying to get through a crowd on his way to owner James Dolan when the incident occurred. Security quickly surrounded the former big man and Phil Jackson tried to intervene to get him to calm down. Oakley blames Dolan for the whole situation. “Dolan did this,” Oakley shouted.
The Knicks PR released a statement shortly after the incident via Twitter.
“Charles Oakley came to the game tonight and behaved in a highly inappropriate and completely abusive manner. He has been ejected and is currently being arrested by the New York City Police Department. He was a great Knick and we hope he gets some help soon.”
Oakley previously had a relationship with the Knicks and Madison Square Garden, as Scott Cacciola of the New York Times detailed earlier this season. The relationship soured over the years, but Oakley has previously said that he attempted to mend the relationship but found no success.
Everyone needs to act their age. OMG
Oak has always been a fierce competitor and a hothead. I still remember the fight between Barkley and Oakley when he was a Bull. Loved it, but yeah Oakley must control his emotions if he ever expects to land a job as a team ambassador or advisor. He’s too old to be acting like that.
Knicks have now passed the Cleveland Browns as the most dysfunctional franchise in all of sports. Dolan must be a real stroke! He is stupid. Whoever he puts in the front office makes things worse than the previous guy. Thomas was horrible. Jackson is embarrassing with the way he’s treating Carmelo
This is amazing
Go Oak tell them loser what ya think
Cooler heads need to prevail. Oak was a Knick great and it would be nice to see the franchise show him a little more respect. His behavior was out of line and not acceptable. But I think he is hurt by the franchise not showing him any love. I will always remember him as a great Knick.
Phil Jackson should be the last person in the scuffle to “calm” the situation. Phil should worry about his own image and stick to the business of basketball instead of sending out cryptic tweets…Dolan is no better. Would t surprise me if this story reveals that Dolan said something stupid to Oak. No excuse for his actions however.
Oakley looks like he could still whip Phil’s dupa
No excuses you can’t behave like this no matter what was said. Words don’t constitute a physical attack. Not well thought out and yes Phil Jackson may be the only one there to calm Oak.
While I don’t disagree with you, I will say there’s a double standard here. The NHL allows players to square up and beat the brakes off each other on national tv. When NBA players fight, everyone overreacts like it’s anarchy breaking out in the streets. Same deal for the NFL. Why might that be?
Because Hockey players are white? lmao…
lol
If you know words can get your butt whipped you will watch what you say out your mouth. Man enough to say something then be man enough to face the consequences
That’s stupid–fighting solves nothing
I really want to know what what said what has happened. To cause a rift like this, to have it result to something like this, I want to hear from Oakley. We know the Knicks will hide behind a PR statement….. but CO is going to be the guy who will tell it like he sees it.
I don’t agree with the shoving and he should tell the security team he is sorry for it once he calms down. But do I want to know what led up to all of this happening? Yeah. Because we need that context to make sense of one of the most insane things I think we have seen in the last decade in the NBA.
This has a much bigger story to it and I hope we get that story out. Charles Oakley has never been shy or afraid to speak his mind. I hope he doesn’t get silenced now.
Free Oakley. Arrest Dolan and Phil!
Amen!
Why because you’re mad the next knicks stink?
Tough break for Turner. He wasn’t enjoying a Good year and with that contract. Phew! Would be hard to unload.
With the ticket prices Dolan is charging and the crap he puts out on the court year after year, he should be the one arrested.
Not surprising for a New Yorker. smh
I would arrest clueless Phil for impersonating a club president.
Dolan should be in solitary confinement.
The Knicks should be a ward of the NBA and taken from Dolan. All he cares about is $$$.
I’m not a Knicks fan but I think Dolan could handle this thing a whole lot better. Regardless of any bad blood or ill feelings between them, Oakley was one of the faces of the franchise for a long time, so why exclude him? If you don’t like him and don’t get along, don’t talk to him or just be fake nice but don’t exclude him. Seems petty to me and as much as Oakley cares about the team, it’s no wonder he feels raw about this whole situation. You exclude him and then throw him out when he tries to get your attention…not a good look but then again the current Knicks are not a good look.
Oakley didnt do or say anything,the camera shots will bear that out….Dolan is the worst owner in sports….how dare you throw out a man who literally bled for your team….f’n ingrate….the big question now is if Porzingis sees how Dolan treats a man who gave 10 years of hustle and effort every night, why would he stay??? i say be prepared to say good bye to any smart young talent after their rookie deal because who wants to play for a loser piece of crap unstable owner!!!!!
Dolan is quite insufferable, it wouldn’t surprise me if new detail comes to light.
There’s definitely more to this story than meets the eye.