Former Knick Charles Oakley arrested after fighting, getting tossed out of Madison Square Garden

On Wednesday night, Charles Oakley showed everyone the same bruising style that he displayed for decades on the basketball court while the New York Knicks met the Los Angeles Clippers — only this time the retired NBA star did it in street clothes and in the stands at Madison Square Garden.

The former New York Knick forward, known for his physical type of play that made him an all-star and helped the Knicks reach the NBA Finals in 1994, adding another bizarre chapter to what has already been an ugly Knicks season after getting physically removed from his MSG seats and arrested — reportedly on the orders of Knicks owner James Dolan.

Soooooo Charles Oakley just got into a fight at he Knicks game. pic.twitter.com/klZBD89VI7

— Ian Schafer (@ischafer) February 9, 2017

Moments after being arrested and released from Midtown South police station at around midnight, Oakley said that the Garden security asked him to leave because Dolan, who was seated just a few feet away, did not want him there.

“I was there for four minutes,” Oakley said late Wednesday night. “I didn’t say anything to him. I swear on my mother. They came over and 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”

Sources at the Garden and NYPD dispute Oakley’s account of the altercation, saying the scuffle was provoked by the former Knick yelling at his longtime nemesis Dolan.

Oakley was asked by several members of Garden security to leave, and then was seen shoving the phalanx of security guards and appeared to take a swipe at one. He even handed his watch to someone seated next to him before being escorted out. 

The white-haired Oakley was charged with three counts of misdemeanor assault by the NYPD, including criminal trespass. A source said that Oakley declined legal representation because he was only hit with a desk appearance ticket. He was released from the Midtown South precinct at around midnight by police and snuck out the back door and into a black SUV, avoiding the waiting press outside.

Still a fan favorite, Oakley has a contentious history with Dolan and has been excluded from invitations and tributes reserved for former players. Oakley claims the owner doesn't like his outspoken criticism of the team and that the team’s slogan — “Once a Knick, Always a Knick” — hasn’t applied to the former All-Star under Dolan's reign.

The Knicks probably could have used old Oak out on the floor. They lost again, 119-115.

Knicks use ginormous rapid-fire t-shirt launchers at game (VIDEO)

The Knicks may not send up three-point bombs like the Warriors do, but when it comes to t-shirt launchers, nobody has the firepower of the New York team.

While most professional sports teams stick to having just one person fire the souvenir tees out of a single barreled "gun" into the stands, the Knicks have taken the popular promotion to military defense level with these four gigantic, rapid-fire T-shirt cannons at Madison Square Garden.

Throw in some smoke and Led Zep and you have a spectacle that makes you forget the team's popgun offense on the court.

#houseofhighlights #knickstape #knicks #thegarden tee guns!

A video posted by Ill Answer (@illanswer) on Dec 29, 2015 at 6:27pm PST

Incoming!

UFC still talking about illegal Jon Jones fight at Madison Square Garden: Report

The UFC is planning it's first fight at Madison Square Garden headlining Jon “Bones” Jones this spring despite the fact that the sport is still banned in New York State.

The New York Post reported that the UFC is plowing ahead with plans to hold its first event at then Garden on April 23 with the main event featuring the former light heavyweight champion trying to get his title back from current champion Daniel Cormier.

New York remains the only state in the country not to sanction professional mixed martial arts, with the Democrat-controlled state assembly citing concerns about violence associated with the sport and even questioning how women are treated at the events.

“It would be epic. It would be huge,” said UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta of the megafight, anticipating that MMA will be approved in the political cage.

The UFC has contracted the date at the Garden with the hopes of there being a resolution in the UFC’s long-running effort to get MMA legalized in the state. Ideally, the state legislature finally will pass a bill to regulate the popular sport through the New York State Athletic Commission.

A tune fight Empire State fans have heard before.

In the meantime, the UFC filed suit with the US Court of Appeals of the Second Circuit arguing the state’s prohibition of regulated professional MMA events violates the First Amendment right of athletes and fans. The UFC also has filed in federal court calling the ban of MMA unconstitutional.

“We’re hopeful this year might be the year,” Fertitta said. “I know we’ve said that many times. But we’re hopeful the bill will not only be introduced for a vote this year, but it will happen early in the session.”

If professional MMA is not legalized by the Assembly in time to begin promoting the April event, the UFC will seek a preliminary injunction against New York from enforcing its “unconstitutional” law.

“Hopefully, there will be a decision on it by the middle of January,” Fertitta said.

UFC on Fox 18 will take place Jan. 30 at the Prudential Center in Newark, the latest in a number of MMA events held in New Jersey, one of the first states to regulate the sport and benefit from its rising popularity.

Former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, now a convicted money launderer and extortionist, had been MMA's biggest and most powerful opponent. The ousted Silver and a Las Vegas culinary union did all they could to oppose the sport in New York and stall its progress.

Fertitta owns the largest non-union casino company in Las Vegas, and the culinary union wants to force unionization in Nevada by lobbying against UFC’s efforts in New York.

“They’re looking for leverage against me and my brother,” Fertitta said.

Bones-Cormier would be a quick sellout. Jones (21-1) was once considered the most dominant fighter in the sport. A native of Endicott, New York, he became the youngest champion in UFC at age 23 when he won the belt at UFC 128 in 2011. But he was stripped of his title and suspended from the UFC in April following his arrest on felony hit-and-run charges in Albuquerque, NM. It had followed incidents where Jones was arrested for DUI in 2012 and earlier this year tested positive for benzoylecgonine, the primary metabolite of cocaine.

News of the failed drug test was not revealed until three days after Jones defeated Cormier by unanimous decision at UFC 182 in January. Cormier later defeated Anthony Johnson to win the vacant title.

Jones was given 18 months of supervised probation. He was reinstated into the UFC in October and helped Holly Holm train for her recent upset of Ronda Rousey.

Fan screams ‘Let’s Go Rangers’ during moment of silence for Paris attacks (VIDEO)

A boneheaded hockey fan ruined a moment of silence at Madison Square Garden by yelling “Let’s Go Rangers” during a solemn tribute to the victims of the Paris terror attacks Sunday night.

The clueless loudmouth had to be shouted down by other fans during the tribute before the Rangers game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The moment of silence was observed prior to the playing of the French, Canadian and U.S. National Anthems while the French flag was presented on the ice with the American and Canadian flags.

whoever screamed lets go Rangers during the moment of silence needs to be slapped silly

— casey (@CantYandleThis) November 16, 2015

Rangers fans nearly strangle man fighting for Henrik Lundqvist's goalie stick (VIDEO)

If a grown man can steal a puck from a child when it is tossed into the stands during an NHL game, imagine the furious battle when goalie Henrik Lundqvist's game stick is offered up to the Madison Square Garden masses.

Following the New York Rangers' 3-0 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night, Lundqvist was named one of the game's three stars for stopping all 33 shots he faced to record his first shutout of the season.

After walking back out of the tunnel and doing a quick skate around the ice to salute the fans, Lundqvist decided to toss his stick into the adoring crowd. That's when a bunch of fans had a tug-of-war for the prized souvenir with one poor guy in the middle nearly getting strangled in the middle of the tussle.

The broadcast cut away before we can see how it all ended, but the New York Daily News reported that that the ushers decided that if the fans couldn’t play nice, then nobody could have it, and they took the stick back to the Rangers locker room.

Rangers fan boasts about paying $4500 in 'hundreds only' for Game 7 ticket (VIDEO)

Every New Yorker knew how hard it would be to get a ticket to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals between the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning at Madison Square Garden, but one fan didn't let a little thing like money come between him and his beloved Blueshirts.

When Sportsnet reporter Scott Oake waded into the valued seats along the glass he ran across Will Rouse — a fan who proudly showed off his bling and sort of rapped about how much he paid for a seat at Friday night's game.

"Oh man, I paid Forty…. Five… Hundred… Dollars," the Sheldon Cooper lookalike said.

When Oake told him he could make even more if he decided to re-sell the tickets on the secondary market, Rouse got boastful.

“Yeah I know, that woulda been cool,” he said. “I gotta see the Rangers win. I could've blown all that money on water. I don't really drink alcohol. It's cool.”

“Tell me again how much you paid for these tickets,” Oake asks again.

“Forty-five hundred dollars. Hundreds only,” said the fan. “Benjamin Franklin is killin' the game!”

The big question: How much water does this guy drink?

Rouse may be drinking alcohol today. The Rangers lost 2-0.

Butler bulldog throws up on Madison Square Garden court before game (PHOTO)

The Butler mascot, Butler Blue III, had a little accident before the Bulldogs' Big East quarterfinal game against Xavier on Thursday. 

It seems the poor dog succumbed to pre-game pressure and threw up on right on the court at Madison Square Garden before the match-up.

Bulter's mascot just vomited on the court. Hahaha! pic.twitter.com/vy4WCe9poR
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) March 13, 2015

But even a puke-breathed BB III didn't stop the ladies from lining up for photo-ops with the popular pooch.

And I still get the girls. RT @MollyMcGrathFS1: Puke and rally @ButlerBlue3!! pic.twitter.com/jwzkvBD3lO
— Butler Blue III (@ButlerBlue3) March 13, 2015

I would have blamed it on St. John's fans who had plenty to be sick of earlier in the day.

Knicks pay tribute to Anthony Mason before and during win over Raptors (VIDEO)

The sudden death of Anthony Mason on Saturday came just hours before the Knicks’ game against the Toronto Raptors, leaving a somber atmosphere permeating around Madison Square Garden and throughout the NBA.

The #Knicks honor Anthony Mason @TheGarden. WATCH http://t.co/aA2MobvLrA pic.twitter.com/dI20Iriu4m
— NBA New York Knicks (@nyknicks) March 1, 2015

Before Saturday's tip-off there was a pregame moment of silence and a video tribute to honor Mason’s memory during the first quarter.

“A product of the city streets, he carried the hopes and dreams of his native city through one of the greatest periods in Knicks history,” the PA announcer said of the Queens product.

Mason died early Saturday at age 48 after suffering a massive heart attack last month, and he wasn't forgotten by fans at the Garden. During a halftime interview on MSG Network, Knicks guard, Tim Hardaway Jr., whose father played with Mason for a season on the Miami Heat, dedicated the game’s remaining two quarters to Mason’s memory.

The Knicks then went on to a gutsy, Mason-like upset of the Atlantic Division-leading Raptors, 103-98 — just like "Big Mase" would have done it.

That was the best tribute of all.

Bill Clinton gets rousing applause at NBA All-Star Game during National Anthem (VIDEO)

Queen Latifah was not even halfway through the National Anthem at Sunday night's NBA All-Star Game when fans at Madison Square Garden erupted in applause while Bill Clinton, the former President of the United States, was shown on the jumbotron.

Yes, it was the 90's, during the Knicks' glory days of Ewing, Oakley, Starks and Herb Williams, all over again.

The burst of applause happened not once, but twice as the cameras went back to him at the end of the song.

And although Clinton made fast friends with Dikembe Mutombo, who sat next to the ex-prez, the former NBA center — like cigars and stained dresses — took a little shine off all of the adulation. 

Dikembe @officialmutombo – DOWN IN FRONT!! #NBAAllStarNYC pic.twitter.com/00YozsN0R8
— Bill Clinton (@billclinton) February 16, 2015

Did Carmelo Anthony get police escort to Madison Square Garden (VIDEO)

Carmelo Anthony, who's finding it hard to receive any help from the big shots in the Knicks front office, finally got an assist from one organization — or didn’t he? 

On Friday night, the Knicks star cruised through New York City traffic-free after appearing to receive an escort from the NYPD, reported TMZ.

Anthony — who is facing surgery on his sore left knee — posted an Instagram video after 6 p.m. Friday that shows his car trailing a vehicle with blaring sirens and lights. Both cars drive against 34th Street traffic while avoiding the chaos of All-Star Weekend as Melo makes his way to Madison Square Garden.

"Ain't nothing like a police escort, boy, in all this traffic," Melo says during the 17-second clip.

Nothing like a police escort in all this traffic. 🙏🙏🙏

A video posted by @carmeloanthony on Feb 13, 2015 at 3:54pm PST

However, a New York Police Department spokesman had not heard that Anthony received an NYPD escort.

“As a policy, we do not give police escorts through traffic for celebrities,” the spokesman said.

Henrik Lundqvist OK after taking puck to throat (VIDEO)

Madison Square Garden fell quiet for what seemed like an eternity Saturday night after Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist was struck directly in the throat by a shot deflected by Carolina's Jay McClement.

It was at 3:02 of second period when Lundqvist took the inadvertent shot after teammate Ryan McDonagh's stick accidentally lifted Lundqvist's mask while he battled with McClement in front of the net, and the puck slammed into the goalie's windpipe.

"It's hard to breathe for a couple of minutes, got a little light-headed," King Henrik said later. "I had some headaches for the rest of the game. They said that was because I couldn't breathe properly."

hit in the throat can't stop King Henrik from making ridiculous saves: http://t.co/fqfuWHKPhM https://t.co/EhjlEseZcF” @Mikemendolia_17
— Brad Hoffer (@BradHoffer39) February 1, 2015

Backup goalie Cam Talbot started stretching as both concerned benches stood around while Lundqvist stayed down on the ice.

Finally, to cheers of "Henrik, Henrik" Lundqvist got to his knees, slowly stood up and had a sip of water before strapping his helmet back on.

"I was getting ready for the shot, then I just feel a stick under my chin. It pulled up my helmet, so I lost the vision of the puck. I had a bad feeling about it because I could see the puck coming but then I lost track of it," said Lundqvist, who finished the 4-1 victory with 31 saves.

Knicks fans wear paper bags on heads during game (VIDEO)

The Knicks are so bad right now some fans just don't want to be seen — even after shelling out big bucks for a seat.

These five die-hard fans sitting in the celebrity row of Madison Square Garden during the Knicks' blowout loss to the Houston Rockets Thursday night used one of the oldest means of protest at a sporting event — wearing paper bags over their heads. 

But even these bagheads didn't stay to see the home team lose their 14th straight.

Isn't that Spike Lee I see under there?

Madison Square Garden photo book features a nude Phil Jackson (PHOTO)

If any big event happened at Madison Square Garden over the past six decades, there is one man who can say he was there and has the pictures to prove it.

Photographer extraordinaire George Kalinsky —  the official lensman at the famed venue since 1966 — has created a special book, “Great New York Moments,” with his wife, June, to send to his friends.

Included in the book were images of such icons as Frank Sinatra, Billy Joel, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen and Miles Davis.

But, according to Page Six of the N.Y. Post,  the one photo that is getting the biggest reaction these days is a nude shot of Knicks President Phil Jackson, in the team locker room back when he was a player.

Photo: George Kalinsky

Hey. It was the Swinging Seventies. Too bad the only thing exposed at MSG these days is how bad the Knicks team really is.

'Prosthetic leg' Nets fan thrown out of NBA game jumps to death: Report

The Brooklyn Nets superfan who had to be carried out from a game amid claims that he attacked another spectator with his prosthetic leg earlier this month, has died.

Jeffrey Vanchiro past away after allegedly jumping from a window on the second floor of his father's house in Queens, NY on Saturday night. He sustained severe brain damage and a fractured spinal cord in the fall.

Vanchiro, a former professional poker player also known as Jeffrey Gamblero, reportedly jumped from the building in a disorientated state.

The colorful Vanchiro had become known to fellow Nets fans for his loud cheers, even louder outfits and dancing during games.

But Vanchiro made headlines and became a sort of viral video folk hero when he was ejected from the Nets-Knicks game at Madison Square Garden (video below) on December 2 and was carried out of the arena by security.

Vanchiro's fiance said that he had behaved erratically since being ejected from that game.

"After that, he was a completely different person,'"Kristi Evans told The New York Times.

"He was paranoid. He was erratic. He was frightened. He was horrified. He was a bit delusional."

The Garden has denied Vanchiro's account that he was ejected for merely being a passionate fan, claiming he refused to cooperate with arena security and was bothering nearby guests with his demonstrative behavior.

R.I.P.

crazy ejection of nets fan with prosthetic leg at #msg @nyknicks

A video posted by jeigs (@jeigs) on Dec 12, 2014 at 6:23pm PST

Where's LeBron? At a Knicks game of course (PHOTOS)

This might be the closest thing to the Knicks actually getting LeBron James a perch on their bench, but at least there was a real winner sitting in Madison Square Garden on Sunday.

Looking more like Where's Waldo than King James, then Cavaliers star took in the Knicks 103-99 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers last night at the Garden.

And he showed New York fans that while the Nets might have Prince William and Duchess Kate Middleton attending a game at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Monday, Manhattan's team can still draw some royalty of their own — NBA royalty.

http://t.co/UAuo8ElFGm #nba LeBron James says he wants ‘I can’t breathe’ shirt as protests spread to pro sports pic.twitter.com/0TJ4LAVv0w
— WordLink #NBA (@NBAbyWordLink) December 8, 2014

According to Carmelo Anthony, James took in the game on his off day as a way to show his “support” for their friendship.

Hopefully, that friendship is tighter than the Knicks defense. The home team lost after blowing a fourth-quarter lead.

St. John's' D'angelo Harrison gets a close-up view of Chris Obekpa's short-shorts (VIDEO)

St. John's center Chris Obekpa rocked some retro short-shorts against Minnesota during the NIT Season Tip-Off semifinal game at Madison Square Garden Wednesday night.

And the Red Storm's D'Angelo Harrison got a close up view of the John Stockton specials when he slipped through the 6'10" Obekpa's legs on this play:

Harrison looks very glad that his teammate stands 6'10" — and not a few inches shorter.

St. John's forward Chris Obekpa is rocking the old-school look with his shorts in the NIT Season Tip-Off. pic.twitter.com/C0X3XFQalp
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 27, 2014

Justin Verlander and Kate Upton take in Knicks game (PHOTOS)

The Knicks lost their sixth game in a row on Wednesday night — a 97-95 defeat by the Orlando Magic and are now 1-4 at Madison Square Garden.

But that doesn't seem to stop the team from drawing a stream of famous people to Celebrity Row.

That's right ... a Magic game.

For instance, Kate Upton and Justin Verlander made the scene:

And yes, that's New York's Global Welcome Ambassador and the Knicks' latest "biggest fan," Taylor Swift, in the front row too.

Great to have you on @douglaselliman Celebrity Row, @kateupton and @taylorswift!

A photo posted by New York Knicks 🏀 (@nyknicks) on Nov 11, 2014 at 6:40pm PST

Too bad all those beautiful people can't make up for that ugly, last-second, 3-point attempt by J.R. Smith at the buzzer.

Teenager arrested for posting threatening tweets to Knicks owner James Dolan: Report

One disturbed fan from Staten Island just might be taking the New York Knicks disastrous season a little too personally— or maybe the recent hike in his cable bill.

Johnny Giamella — a 19-year-old son of a New York City cop — threatened the life of James Dolan, the owner of Madison Square Garden, the Knicks, the Rangers and cable TV giant Cablevision in several posts to his Twitter account, reported  the New York Daily News.

“James Dolan, it’s officially time to die,” Giamella allegedly tweeted. That was followed by the tweet, “Death to James Dolan,” police said.

Giamella also posted  pictures of himself holding a gun to the camera and a sharp metal object to his neck.

And in a bizarre photo, a naked Giamella is seen holding a gun over his penis, according to a criminal complaint.

Reached at the family’s home, Giamella’s mother declined to comment.

Dolan’s security chief noticed the alarming postings and reported them to police, the complaint says.

Giamella was charged harassment.

Harlem Globetrotter makes trick shot, five stories above Madison Square Garden court (VIDEO)

Harlem Globetrotter Jonathan (Hawk) Thomas has pulled off a near-impossible trick shot from the top of Madison Square Garden to promote Sunday's annual game that was all caught on camera — and without a Washington General in sight.

After a brief dribble from five stories above the court's net, Thomas heaves the basketball and watches as it goes through the net below. 

"Game time! It's over!" the 6-foot-5 forward shouts with his arms enthusiastically high in the air.

MSG lauded the stunt as one that's never been done before — and it's easy to see why.

Let the Knicks jokes begin.

Westminster Kennel Club dog show to welcome mutts after 138 years: Report

This year, for the first time ever, mutts, mongrels or whatever what ever you want to call mixed-breed canines will be allowed to participate in the Westminster Kennel Club dog show at Madison Square Garden.

The nation’s premiere dog show event has a long history of only allowing purebreds to compete, but will now let the common pooches in, reports The Associated Press.

Talk about real underdogs.

The mutts — formally nicknamed "all-American dogs" — will join the snobby purebreds in the First Masters Agility Championship, a skills-based competition that’s "all about brains — brains and speed," show chairman Tom Bradley said at a news conference Wednesday at Madison Square Garden. "Agility dogs are not designer dogs — or they don’t have to be."

Organizers say this year marks the first time dogs of mixed breeds have appeared anywhere at Westminster since the 138-year-old event’s early days.

But they can't vie for the prestigious Best in Show award at next month's big event. That’s still for purebreds only. It’ll be awarded on Feb. 11.

The change may have come as a response to animal rights supporters who argue that promoting dog breeding is unethical. Many mutts need to find homes — 60 percent of dogs in shelters are reportedly euthanized — and should be promoted as desirable pets. While Bradley would not say whether such criticism of the show pressured them to make the change, he did admit that “purebred dogs have taken a bit of a rap” recently.

Joining the labradoodles at the upcoming show will be three new breeds. They’re the chinook, the Portuguese podengo pequeño and the rat terrier.

It's about time for the equal opportunity because one sniffed butt smells like any other.