Well, this livened ESPN’s Wednesday Night Basketball broadcast up considerably!
Charles Oakley is one of the NBA’s greatest enforcers, and apparently he still has a bit of fight left in him. These days, though, he’s directing his anger away from the court, and towards Knicks owner James Dolan.
And, like, actual anger. Here’s tonight’s Knicks-Clippers game getting interrupted by Oakley’s forcible ejection:
Okay, so, a few awesome things.
First, my god Charles Oakley is still terrifying. That guy looks like he could still win the Royal Rumble right now. He’s 53, and I’m pretty sure he could have ripped that entire security force limb from limb.
Second, when tensions are rising, the calming presence you want nearby is definitely John McEnroe, master of deescalation.
Third, Phil Jackson was in the center of the fray! Because of course he was.
Fourth, credit to ESPN for reporting this as it happened, and showing it live. That’s sometimes tough to do for a game crew, and they could have easily made the call to keep it off the broadcast, but they made the correct calls here.
Fifth, THE CROWD CHANTS FOR OAKLEY! That cannot be understated.
This is the best Knicks story in years.
UPDATE: Knicks PR with a statement via Twitter:
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) February 9, 2017
UPDATE 2: Frank Isola offers some more context:
Charles Oakley has been upset that the franchise, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary, haven't included him in any events.
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) February 9, 2017
Charles Oakley is here tonight. This is beyond sad. pic.twitter.com/Ecd99ZGYSP
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) February 9, 2017
For the Knicks to issue a press release about Oak and say "we hope he gets some help soon" is despicable.
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) February 9, 2017
Several former Knick employees have reached out asking me to pass along the same message: "tell Charles to call me if he needs help tonight"
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) February 9, 2017
UPDATE 3: Oakley was arrested and charged with three counts of assault. The NYPD claims he punched three male MSG employees (via ESPN):
Former Knicks great Charles Oakley was arrested and charged with three counts of assault following an altercation in the stands near team owner James Dolan at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.
According to the NYPD, Oakley, 54, punched three male MSG employees — all of whom suffered minor injuries and refused medical attention at the scene — as he was being escorted out. He was charged with three counts of assault, all third degree, and one count of criminal trespass, a third-degree misdemeanor.
