{"id":4336,"date":"2017-02-09T14:32:18","date_gmt":"2017-02-09T19:32:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprobasketball.com\/?p=4336"},"modified":"2017-02-09T14:32:18","modified_gmt":"2017-02-09T19:32:18","slug":"charles-oakley-shows-up-the-new-york-knicks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2017\/02\/09\/charles-oakley-shows-up-the-new-york-knicks\/","title":{"rendered":"Analyzing the Charles Oakley Altercation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wednesday night, hump night and the New York Knicks<\/a> are playing the Los Angeles Clippers<\/a> in the Madison Square Garden. The Madison Square Garden is affectionately known as the Mecca to all basketball fans and nerds alike. NBA basketball in the city of New York is currently a wasteland but that\u2019s not what this article is about. No, no, no, this is far more entertaining than the Knicks’ play. Charles Oakley<\/strong><\/a> shows up the New York Knicks. Given this day and age, it might be unfathomable to think readers are unaware of Charles Oakley and why the transpired events are so important.<\/p>\n

Remembering the Oak Tree<\/strong><\/p>\n

A veteran of at least eighteen seasons, Charles Oakley was a power forward\u00a0for the New York Knicks for ten seasons. While in New York, Oakley was a cult hero to the inner youth as well as the youngsters from the suburbs. Oakley\u2019s fame came hand in hand with his on-court notoriety. He was a Knicks captain and chief enforcer. His intensity set the tone for the Knicks play. Oakley\u00a0earned the nickname \u201cOak tree\u201d because of his rugged demeanor and his no nonsense attitude. Under then head coach Pat Riley<\/strong><\/a>, Oakley flourished. Not coincidentally the Knicks were championship contenders during that period. Riley instilled a rule that Oakley was happy to carry out.\u00a0Stop\u00a0opponents by any means necessary.<\/p>\n

Charles Oakley is a story of the underdog becoming successful. He made\u00a0good. Oakley attended Division 2 Virginia Union University.\u00a0Since Oakley, Virginia Union University had one other NBA player, Ben Wallace<\/strong><\/a>. \u00a0He was subsequently drafted in the first round\u00a0by the Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a>. Oakley in a draft night trade went to the Chicago Bulls<\/a> where he was installed as the protector of a talented player named Michael Jordan<\/strong><\/a>. While protecting Jordan, Oakley was selected to the NBA All Rookie team. As his career continued he was selected to All Defensive teams in 1994 and 1998. He was also an All Star in 1994.<\/p>\n

Oakley\u2019s Temper was Always Evident<\/strong><\/p>\n

Charles Oakley\u2019s temper is legendary. Former NBA player and teammate Antonio Davis<\/strong><\/a> recalled to ESPN\u2019s The Lebatard Show that he witnessed Oakley slapped someone on three separate occasions.<\/a> He recalled him slapping fellow player Tyrone Hill<\/strong><\/a> over a gambling debt. Jeff McInnis<\/strong><\/a> also came in for a touch. Most famously, Oakley slapped Charles Barkley<\/strong><\/a> at an NBA players\u2019 union meeting<\/a>. Oakley even warned Barkley afterwards, \u201cEvery time I see you, I\u2019m going to slap you.\u201d Barkley has denied this numerous times but many witnesses say otherwise.<\/p>\n

Disrespectful Treatment of Former Players by the Knicks<\/strong><\/p>\n

Oakley had been critical of Dolan in the past<\/a>. Especially relevant is Dolan’s treatment of several former Knick players. Players who played on the teams run by Dolan\u2019s father Charles most of all appeared to have been marginalized by the Knicks under Dolan\u2019s stewardship. Notable exceptions of this are Allan Houston<\/strong><\/a> (who is GM of the Westchester Knicks), Larry Johnson<\/strong><\/a>, John Starks<\/strong><\/a> and Herb Williams<\/strong><\/a>. Williams is currently an assistant coach with the WNBA team NY Liberty.<\/p>\n

As coaching vacancies became available in recent years, Knicks legend Patrick Ewing<\/strong><\/a> was never considered for a role. He is lauded for his time with the Orlando Magic<\/a>, and the Houston Rockets<\/a>. Ewing is currently the lead assistant and Associate Head Coach of the Charlotte Hornets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In a recent New Times article,<\/a> Oakley said of the Knicks, \u201cThey making me look bad!\u201d\u00a0However a trained chef, Oakley lessened his stance. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t mind having a sit-down dinner with Dolan. I wouldn\u2019t mind cooking him dinner.\u201d For the Knicks reply, Barry Watkins who is the spokesman for MSG who oversees the Knicks had this to say. \u201cThe Knicks have fabulous relationships with almost all of our alumni. But when it comes to Charles\u2019s relationship with the organization, he is his own worst enemy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Events of Wednesday Night<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Knicks played the Clippers.\u00a0It was\u00a0the one year anniversary of the Derek Fisher<\/strong><\/a> firing.\u00a0 Oakley sat three rows behind owner James Dolan. Oakley, who\u00a0purchased tickets and was with friends when a most peculiar incident ensued.<\/p>\n

\n

Charles Oakley shoves a security guard at #Knicks<\/a> and is escorted out at MSG… pic.twitter.com\/rQ99AXA609<\/a> #NBA<\/a><\/p>\n

— Davide Chinellato (@dchinellato) February 9, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n