New York Knicks eject former star Charles Oakley for 'abusive' behavior
During the first quarter of Wednesday night's game between the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers, former Knicks enforcer Charles Oakley became enraged during a physical altercation with Madison Square Garden security in the vicinity of Knicks owner James Dolan.
https://twitter.com/ischafer/status/829500863794274305
Oakley was immediately escorted away from his seat, ejected from the arena and handcuffed and arrested.
Knicks president Phil Jackson reportedly attempted to calm Oakley.
https://twitter.com/IanBegley/status/829501311754199040
https://twitter.com/SBondyNYDN/status/829506052525846532
The Knicks issued a statement, citing Oakley as a "great Knick" but calling his behavior at the game "completely abusive".
https://twitter.com/NY_KnicksPR/status/829503872628563970
When Jackson returned to his seat, his face told the story of the evolving disaster that is the Knicks' 2016-17 campaign.
Per the NYPD, Oakley has been charged with three counts of assault for hitting Madison Square Garden security guards, in addition to a charge of criminal trespassing.
https://twitter.com/IanBegley/status/829535086466867200
https://twitter.com/RyanFieldABC/status/829529707389534209
In addition, Oakley issued a statement to New York Daily News' Frank Isola, claiming a different story than what has been reported by the Knicks PR team:
“I was there for four minutes ... I didn’t say anything to [James Dolan]. 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.”
"That was tough for me to watch," Rivers added. "Honest to God, you could see it. I actually took three steps and I swear I was going to run down there, and I thought, 'What the hell am I going to do?' But I didn't like that. That's my guy. That was tough to watch from where I was standing."
