GARDEN DIGS IN
INSISTS OAKLEY CAUSED MSG RUCKUS
Charles Oakley dug in his heels Thursday, maintaining the eruption during the Knicks game at the Garden the previous night that led to his ejection and subsequent arrest resulted from team owner James Dolan’s security people demanding he leave.
While Oakley defended himself, Garden brass did the opposite, essentially accusing the ex-Knick of lying, calling his recounting of events “pure fiction.”
By some accounts, the ugliness began with Oakley heckling Dolan. The legendary Knick tough guy strongly disagreed.
“No, c’mon. How, four rows from him, can I be heckling him? If you’re a fan how he’s going to walk into a game and he’s going to heckle James Dolan?” Oakley said during a phone interview. “I’m a straight-up guy. You know that from my career. You know I wasn’t heckling this guy.”
Oakley and Dolan have feuded for years. Oakley has been critical of the Knicks’ decline from his playing career, when the power forward was instrumental in the team’s success that included a trip to the 1994 Finals.
Oakley said as soon as he arrived for the seat he paid for, Garden security informed the owner his rival was near.
“Security went and told him I was in the building. They have to tell him when I come into the Garden. They have to tell him — I was told by people who work there — when I come to the Garden they have to go tell him,” Oakley said.
Videos depicting the incident, which led to fans cheering “Oakley, Oak-ley,” shows a situation that rapidly escalated into Oakley pushing and shoving security personnel before being dragged out of the seating area. Garden brass maintain Oakley was belligerent from the outset.
“There are dozens of security, staff employees and NYPD that witnessed his abusive behavior. It started when he entered the building and continued until he was arrested and left the building. Every single statement we have received is consistent in describing his actions,” Garden spokesman Barry Watkins said in a statement Thursday. “Everything he said since the incident is pure fiction.”
A source said Garden security believes Oakley was drinking before the game, and Oakley confirmed that Thursday night.
“I had a couple of drinks but I had no drinks at the Garden,’’ Oakley told FOX 5’s Duke Castiglione. “I go to different sports bars around the city and watch the games.’’
One season- ticket holder, requesting anonymity, claimed Oakley “seemed like he was just being a fan and Dolan didn’t like what he was saying” then “appeared to ask one of the guards to remove Oakley” from the area.
“Charles Oakley is one of the most beloved Knicks ever. To drag him out like that, in front of everyone, was just moronic,” the season-ticket holder said.
Oakley on Thursday apologized to Knicks fans during an ESPN radio interview.
“I want to say I’m sorry to all the fans,” Oakley said. “It was just a bad scene.”
Oakley still had the fans’ support Thursday during the Rangers-Predators game, as the Garden crowd briefly chanted his name.
Ian Schafer, who posted a video of the incident on Twitter, said he arrived early and was some 12 rows back. He saw Oakley arrive.
“I watched Charles Oakley walk into the arena and saw him sit down right behind where Dolan sits. That immediately registered. I know there’s not a good relationship,” said Schafer, CEO of Manhattan-based ad agency Deep Focus. “I couldn’t hear anything Oakley was saying but … immediately, four, five security guards came out and he stood up. You can’t miss Charles Oakley standing up.”
Oakley, 53, was taken by cops to Midtown South Precinct, where he was charged with three counts of assault and criminal trespass, all misdemeanors. He was released on a desk appearance ticket. The police report indicated Oakley’s actions toward the security personnel caused physical damage.
“While sitting in his seat he began to argue with … Dolan, who was sitting directly in front of him,” the report said. “At approximately [8:30 p.m.] Mr. Dolan did demand that Mr. Oakley be removed from MSG Arena.”
When security personnel tried to remove the 6-foot-8, 245-pound Oakley, he hit several of them, cops said. Event manager Thomas Redmond, 37, was hit in the face and security supervisor Jason Jacknow, 49, was “forcible pushed,” according to police. As he was being escorted out, Oakley, cops say, hit security supervisor, Jaime Antonino, 53.
Dolan not wanting him nearby puzzles the Knicks legend.
“I bought my own ticket. They didn’t give me a ticket. I have no reason to lie. Other guys say things and, ‘ Oh, I can’t say this, I can’t say that [publicly].’ You can put my name by what I say,” Oakley said. “Ask John McEnroe. He was there. If we get John McEnroe, we’ll get an answer.”
McEnroe, occupying a seat near Dolan, is clearly visible in videos that sprouted like wildflowers across the Internet.
“I’m trying to help the Knicks by coming and supporting them. I’m trying to bring some energy to the Garden but I guess I brought too much energy,” said Oakley, who has maintained for years he wants a sit-down with Dolan to heal wounds and perhaps offer suggestions to heal the Knicks.
After the incident, the Knicks released a statement claiming Oakley behaved in “a highly inappropriate and completely abusive manner.” The statement ended with the Knicks hoping he “gets some help soon.”
“Help for what?” Oakley said. “That’s crazy. I don’t need help. I’m with people all the time. I go out for dinner this and that. He said I need help. For what? I was only there four minutes.”