Former New York Knicks legend Charles Oakley is still upset with how he was treated years ago at Madison Square Garden during a game. Oakley says he’s not returning to the famous arena until he receives an apology from Knicks owner James Dolan. Oakley was ejected from the arena in 2017 following an argument with security personnel, with Dolan sitting nearby.
“I guess their lawyer called my lawyer saying it’s a good time for you to come back to the Garden,” Oakley said, per the Associated Press. Oakley was arrested in the 2017 incident, but charges against him were later dropped.
Oakley and the Knicks
The drama between Oakley and Dolan goes back to 2017, during a Knicks game at the Garden. Oakley was attending the game, and was sitting close to the court. Dolan was sitting nearby. Security came to Oakley and asked him to leave the area, and an argument ensued. Oakley was removed from the area and arrested. He then filed a lawsuit against Dolan and the Knicks for how he was treated. The litigation is ongoing.
“It’s been a struggle the last seven years,” Oakley added. “There have been things said that weren’t true. The league didn’t step in. The commissioner is pretty soft. He didn’t do nothing. The city got behind me and I’m always behind the fans. I love that.”
Oakley is a legend with the Knicks organization, playing for the team from 1988-1998. He was a member of the team, with Patrick Ewing, that went to the NBA Finals in 1994. The Knicks lost that year to the Houston Rockets in the Finals. Knicks fans are surely not happy to see the sour relationship the franchise has developed with one of the team’s most beloved players. Oakley believes that Dolan won’t give him the apology he is asking for.
“He doesn’t want to apologize,” Oakley added. “What he did was wrong. But the team is playing well. The Rangers are, too. It’s like 1994 all over again.”
Knicks fans would surely love to see their former star cheering on the team at the Garden. The Knicks are leading the Indiana Pacers 2-1 currently in a Best of 7 series. The series winner moves on to the Eastern Conference Finals, to play either the Cleveland Cavaliers or Boston Celtics. The Knicks are paced by star guard Jalen Brunson, who has the respect of Oakley.
“I don’t want to get in their way, they’re playing great,” Oakley added. “I’m going to cheer at the guys to do well. I’m not mad at nobody on the floor.”
Game 4 of the Knicks and Pacers series is in Indiana on Sunday. The game tips off at 3:30 Eastern. Oakley will be surely cheering on the team, but sadly from a distance. The retired NBA star also played with the Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Houston Rockets and Washington Wizards in his league tenure.
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