Charles Oakley's ejection related to outburst towards owner Jim Dolan (Report)
Feb 8, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks former player Charles Oakley (center) is removed from his seat by security as fans and the Knicks bench watch during the first quarter between the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Clippers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Details are emerging regarding the Charles Oakley incident and it seems it has everything to do with New York Knicks owner Jim Dolan.

If you suspected Charles Oakley’s hostile ejection from Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night dealt with owner Jim Dolan, you’d be right.

In the New York Knicks 119-115 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, the narrative didn’t surround three New York Knicks eclipsing the 20-point mark or how they blew a 10-point fourth quarter lead, rather Oakley’s actions in the stands.

The ESPN cameras cut to the incident while the MSG Network cameras did not.

After Oakley was brought to the tunnel, even being spoken to by the extremely calm Phil Jackson — Zen of all Masters — the end result doesn’t look too pretty for No. 34. Oakley has been charged with three counts of assault for his hostile actions.

The MSG PR department also put out this message very quickly:

The question remains, “Why was the Oak-man so hostile in the first place?”

Like previously stated, Jim Dolan.

Dolan, who was seated along the baseline courtside, just feet away from Oakley, was apparently warned multiple times to stop yelling at Dolan, according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.

Oakley and the Knicks organization have been engaged in a bitter feud since his playing days. He’s been on record as calling Dolan a “bad guy.” He’s also never been included in any team functions or events over the course of the bad feelings era between the two principles.

Oakley once said Dolan “ignored him” in 2015 at the NBA All-Star Game. He’s also publicly been on record as stating he’s “cried and tried” to get a job with the Knicks, but to no avail.

“I don’t know. I try to keep it simple and up front, Oakley told Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News five yeras ago. I feel like I owe that to the fans with them coming to watch me for 10 years, following me, being a fan of mine. I feel I’m not going to let them down because somebody else wants to say something else. . . . (Dolan) shouldn’t be mad at me because all I did was come before him and play the hardest and the best I could do. I’m going to be a Knick for life, though, no matter what people say.”

“I want to know what I did to be hated so bad by an owner. The dad (Charles Dolan), I never heard him say nothing bad about me. I asked players I played with to go talk with (James Dolan). He said he don’t want to deal with me,” Oakley said two years ago.

The harsh feelings really spoiled over when Oakley called Dolan a “bad guy,” back in 2015, via Christian Red of the New York Daily News.

“As hard as I played for that motherf—–, and he don’t want to talk with me?” Oakley barked.

“I asked the commissioner to set up a meeting with (Dolan), take a step forward,” said Oakley. “I want to know what I did to be hated so bad by an owner. The dad (Charles Dolan), I never heard him say nothing bad about me. I asked players I played with to go talk with (James Dolan). He said he don’t want to deal with me.”

For such a beloved Knicks player, coming from one of the golden ages of the franchise, it’s a sad situation that won’t be going away anytime soon.

 
Robby Sabo is a co-founder, CEO and credentialed New York Jets content creator for Jets X-Factor - Jet X, which includes Sabo's Sessions (in-depth film breakdowns) and Sabo with the Jets. Host: Underdog Jets Podcast with Wayne Chrebet and Sabo Radio. Member: Pro Football Writers of America. Coach: Port Jervis (NY) High School. Washed up strong safety and 400M runner. SEO: XL Media. Founder: Elite Sports NY - ESNY (Sold in 2020). SEO: XL Media. Email: robby.sabo[at]jetsxfactor.com