Could we finally be getting to a resolution in Charles Oakley’s feud with the Knicks? According to a statement released by the NBA, Michael Jordan and Adam Silver are getting involved so that we get to this point.
It is beyond disheartening to see situations involving members of the NBA family like the one that occurred at Madison Square Garden this past week. In an effort to find a path forward, New York Knicks owner Jim Dolan, Charles Oakley, and I met today at the league office, along with Michael Jordan, who participated by phone.
Both Mr. Oakley and Mr. Dolan were apologetic about the incident and subsequent comments, and their negative impact on the Knicks organization and the NBA. Mr. Dolan expressed his hope that Mr. Oakley would return to MSG as his guest in the near future.
I appreciate the efforts of Mr. Dolan, Mr. Oakley and Mr. Jordan to work towards a resolution of this matter.
Jordan sat in on a conference call that involved Oakley, Silver, and Knicks owner James Dolan, who Oakley tried to confront last week to kick off this feud. The entire beef between the two sides has escalated to the point that Dolan accused Oakley of having “a problem with alcohol” (which, aside from being wholly irresponsible, has been refuted by Oakley) and has led to the former Knicks big man from being banned from Madison Square Garden, even if he purchases a ticket.
This isn’t the first time that Jordan has stepped into this feud in some capacity – Phil Jackson actually called him and asked if he’d talk to Oakley right after everything went down, because “if there’s one person in the world who can get through to Charles Oakley and calm him down, it is Michael Jordan.” However, Jordan was not able to get in touch with Oakley at that time.
Jordan and Oakley were teammates in Chicago and Washington, and Oakley has even been referred to as Jordan’s “bodyguard.” If he’s getting involved, odds are all sides are serious about ending this silly feud. This is good, because keeping Oakley from attending Knicks games is just wrong.
