Former New York Knicks Player Charles Oakley Arrested After Scuffle At Madison Square Garden

New York Knicks legend Charles Oakley was arrested after being involved in a scuffle inside Madison Square Garden. The incident took place in the first quarter of the Knicks' game against the visiting Los Angeles Clippers.

According to the Washington Post, the hardnosed former forward had gotten into a verbal altercation with Knicks owner James Dolan. Oakley was then seen engaging physically with security staff before he was escorted out of the arena. Shortly after the incident, the Knicks posted a statement: "Charles Oakley came to the game tonight and behaved in an inappropriate manner. He has been ejected and is currently being arrested by the New York Police Department. He was a great Knick and we hope he gets some help soon."

Sportswriters who were close to the scene reported they heard Oakley shouting, "Dolan did this", among other comments he shouted towards the Knicks owner after he was escorted away by security. Knicks President of Basketball Operations Phil Jackson attempted to calm down Oakley who continued to yell expletives. The 53-year old retired pro has been charged with three charges of assault.

Oakley was released late Wednesday evening from a Manhattan Police Station. He told the New York Daily News that he "didn't say anything to Dolan."

"I swear on my mother. They 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", said Oakley. Oakley spent 10 seasons in New York from 1988 to 1998 where he became a key member of the 1990's Knicks team that went to the Eastern Conference Finals in 1993 and the NBA Finals in 1994.

He became a fan favorite among Knicks fans and developed a reputation as one of the league's toughest and most feared enforcers. However, despite experiencing some of the most memorable moments of his career in New York, his relationship with the Knicks has become strained, which is something that he blames on James Dolan.