Charles Oakley To Watch The Knicks vs The Cavs In Cleveland
After being forcibly removed from Madison Square Garden two weeks ago, Charles Oakley confirmed he’s headed back home to The Land to watch the Knicks go head-to-head with the Cavs. Now, on top of this being A1 justifiable pettiness, according to several reports, Oak was invited to sit two rows behind Cavalier owner Dan Gilbert proving that this is a game of Chess, beloved, not checkers.
READ Charles Oakley Speaks On Altercation During New York Knicks Game
On my to LAND!!!!!
— Charles Oakley (@CharlesOakley34) February 23, 2017
On February 9, the former Knick was approached by several members of MSG security and hauled out in front of players, fans and anyone who was at home watching. Team owner James Dolan alleged Oakley was being verbally abusive towards him, however Oakley denied the allegations.
After being released from a Midtown South police station, Oakley told the New York Daily News MSG security said Dolan didn’t want him there. “I was there for four minutes,” Oakley said. “I didn’t say anything to him. I swear on my mother. They came over and wanted to know why I was sitting there. I bought the ticket. I said ‘why do you guys keep staring at me.’ Then they asked me to leave, and I said I’m not leaving.”
Oakley’s removal, on top of Derrick Rose’s no-show from a game, and Carmelo Anthony and Phil Jackson’s feud only added to the turbulent year the Knicks are having off the court. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams said seeing several members of security violently remove the former All-Star reminded him of Eric Garner, the Staten Island man who was placed in an illegal chokehold by NYPD and killed.
“I saw this as Eric Garner without the chokehold.” Adams continued to state that he was “alarmed as a Knicks fan. I was disgusted as a black man, and I want to make a clear statement that we are better than this as a city, as a team and as a player.”
Dolan met with Oakley several days later and apologized, however, Oakley has yet to attend a game at the Garden.
