One of the New York Knicks’ biggest supporters won’t be in the stands when the team returns home. Former Knicks forward Charles Oakley remains banned from Madison Square Garden despite pleas from both Michael Jordan and Adam Silver, according to NBA reporter Rachel Nichols.
Prior to Game 1 of the Finals, which the Knicks won 105-95, Silver revealed he and Jordan appealed to team owner James Dolan to let Oakley back into The Garden. The Knicks owner reportedly was not convinced, per Nichols.
“Adam Silver says both he and Michael Jordan tried their best to broker peace between Charles Oakley and James Dolan, but neither was successful. Oakley has been at Knicks road games during this playoff run but remains banned from The Garden.”
For years, Oakley was one of the Knicks’ most fervent supporters. But that changed in 2017, when he reportedly went after Dolan during a game. Play was momentarily stopped after Oakley shoved a team security guard. He was later arrested and charged with assault and trespassing.
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A few days later, Oakley was reportedly banned from Madison Square Garden. Dolan did a rare public interview at the time, insisting Oakley’s ban was “not necessarily a lifetime ban.” Despite that, the former forward hasn’t appeared at The Garden since, and has only attended Knicks road games during the playoffs.
Oakley’s feud with Dolan started years before his ban from MSG. In 2015, Oakley revealed he was frustrated with Dolan after the owner refused to meet with Oakley.
Oakley spent 10 of his 19 NBA seasons with the Knicks. He excelled as a defensive enforcer, and made one All-Star team during his 10 years in New York. The Knicks made the playoffs every single season during Oakley’s run.
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Following Wednesday’s win, the Knicks are three games away from winning the championship. With the team set to return home Monday for Game 3, there’s no better time for Dolan to bury the hatchet and get Oakley back in the seats.
Despite urging from Jordan and Silver, the Knicks’ owner doesn’t see it that way.
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