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.

Derrick Rose could bring rape case PR nightmare to Knicks

The newest member of the New York Knicks, Derrick Rose, is bringing more than just his talent to the NBA team and, if the former MVP's sexual battery case goes to trial Oct. 4, the first day of preseason and Rose is liable, the Knicks organization could start the season with a PR nightmare.

Outside of suffering numerous injuries with the Chicago Bulls, the star point guard has been accused in a lawsuit of drugging and gang raping a woman along with two of his close friends.

The woman, identified as "Jane Doe" in the suit which was filed in 2015, claims that Rose and two of his friends entered her California apartment and gang raped her in August of 2013.

The 27-year-old Rose denied the allegations but did acknowledge that he had a consensual sexual relationship with the woman. 

In court documents, the woman claims that she became involved, both romantically and sexually, with Rose at a party he was hosting in Los Angeles in October of 2011. The woman, who is suing for $21.5 million in damages, says that she was attracted to Rose because he was "quiet, shy and reserved."

However, she says in the lawsuit that the former Chicago Bulls player's sexual demands made her uncomfortable.

The woman says the 2008 first round NBA draft pick reportedly asked her to have sex with him and one of his friends named Randall Hampton in 2013. 

Hampton along with the point guard's childhood friend, Ryan Allen, are also named in her lawsuit as defendant and was first filed in Los Angeles Superior Court before being transferred to federal court.

  

The trial was scheduled for October 4 by U.S. District Court Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald. That is also the same day that the NBA preseason tips off.

  

The Knicks have yet to comment about the lawsuit against Rose. 

Knicks' Cleanthony Early shot, robbed outside of NYC strip club: Report

Knicks forward Cleanthony Early was reportedly shot and robbed by a gang after leaving a Queens, N.Y. strip club on Wednesday morning.

Anthony was hit with a bullet in the leg after being "surrounded by four to six people wearing ski masks and robbed of his items and jewelry," including a gold necklace and the gold caps on his teeth, according to a report from the NY Daily News.

Early was shot once in the knee blocks away from CityScapes gentlemen's club in Maspeth while he was in an Uber cab. Three cars reportedly pulled up and boxed in the taxi he was sitting in. It is being described it as "a hold up" by police. 

He was taken to Elmhurst Hospital in stable condition. There was no further word on his condition as of 7:30 a.m. Wednesday. 

This early morning incident comes on the heels of Early's teammate, Derrick Williams, getting robbed of expensive jewelry by a couple of women he met in a Manhattan nightclub just weeks ago.

Early, a 24-year-old Middletown native, is in his second season with the Knicks. He was drafted in 2014 after attending Wichita State.

He has played in 10 games this season, averaging less than four minutes and 1 point per game.

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!

Knicks' Derrick Williams robbed of $750G worth of bling by two women

It seems like a weekend doesn't go by without some poor wealthy schlub getting fleeced by some women they met partying in one of Manhattan's hotspots.

Now you can add New York Knicks forward Derrick Williams to that list of rubes after he was reportedly robbed of $750,000 in jewelry at his Tribeca apartment early Saturday.

And the NBA player is blaming two women he took home from a Meatpacking District club earlier in the evening, according to the New York Post.

Williams told police that the women knicked a Louis Vuitton jewelry case holding a small fortune of his bling.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” Williams said after the Knicks’ game at Madison Square Garden Saturday night. “It’s still up in the air.”

Williams, who was chosen by the Minnesota Timberwolves as the second overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft, is known for posting pictures of his prized possessions on Instagram including this heavy gold chain with a large medallion bearing an image of the crucified head of Jesus Christ.

“All praise to the most high,” Williams wrote about the “Jesus piece.”

all praise to the most high.

A photo posted by Derrick Williams (@dwxxiii) on May 21, 2015 at 2:50pm PDT

The 24-year-old Williams had been celebrating Friday night’s 107-97 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers with a group of friends at the Up & Down club when he met the women.

Afterward, they headed back to Williams’ Broadway apartment — along with two women whom they had just met and who may have been using false names, the sources said.

After more partying at Williams’ bachelor pad, everyone went home.

But not before the two party girls found the Louis Vuitton case stuffed with three-quarters of a million dollars worth of jewelry in one of Williams’ closets.

The slick females grabbed the contents, and took off, the sources said.

Williams realized his booty was gone at about 4 p.m. Saturday and called the cops.

Toast to life. Special occasions became daily occurrences. And the work won't stop cause goals gotta get met. #GBE

A photo posted by Derrick Williams (@dwxxiii) on Dec 7, 2014 at 2:31pm PST

Police are probing whether the Williams’ theft is part of a pattern of robberies committed by young women who prey upon wealthy, bling-flashing men at clubs and hotel bars, the sources said.

In one case earlier this month, a $590,000 Swiss timepiece was robbed from a Beverly Hills watch dealer by two women he met at a Midtown strip club.

Pacers’ Chris Copeland, wife stabbed outside Manhattan nightclub: Report

Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland, was stabbed—along with his wife and another woman — outside of a trendy night club in Manhattan early Wednesday, said NYPD sources.

The 31-year-old Copeland, was arguing with his wife outside the infamous Chelsea hotspot 1Oak Club on West 17th Street around 4 a.m. when the 22-year-old suspect interrupted them, according to the N.Y. Post.

Copeland reportedly told the man to get lost, which is when the suspect pulled out a knife and stabbed Copeland in the stomach.

He then turned the blade on the basketball player’s wife, Katrine Saltara, and stabbed her in the breast, buttocks and arm, police sources said. Another woman, who was known to the stabber, was also attacked.

Copeland and his wife were rushed to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition, authorities said. The other woman was taken to Lenox Hill Hospital, authorities said.

The suspect, whose name has not been released, was taken into custody at the scene and charges against him are pending. A knife was recovered.

Two players from the Atlanta Hawks were also taken into police custody after they refused to get out of the crime scene, sources said.

Pero Antic was charged with obstructing governmental administration, disorderly conduct and menacing, sources said. Thabo Sefolosha was charged with resisting arrest as well as obstructing governmental administration and disorderly conduct, sources said.

It wasn’t immediately clear what set off the violent scene outside the notorious celebrity hangout.

Copeland has sort of a familiarity with the NYC club scene. He played 56 games for the New York Knicks from 2012 to 2013.

The Pacers are in town playing the Knicks. Their next game is Wednesday at 7:30 p.m at Madison Square Garden.

The Hawks are in town playing the Brooklyn Nets.

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.

J.R. Smith posts farewell message to Knicks (PHOTO)

J.R. Smith was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night, after four mostly tumultuous seasons with the franchise he calls his hometown team — the New York Knicks.

Smith, who was a standout high school player in New Jersey, loved playing for the team he fondly remembers growing up in Central Jersey — making this trade just a bit harder for him.

On Tuesday, Smith said farewell to the Knicks and his New York fans with an Instagram post:

I want to thank Mr. Dolan and the Knicks organization for giving me the opportunity to play for such a… http://t.co/y9xNUyeraI
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) January 6, 2015

"I want to thank Mr. Dolan and the Knicks organization for giving me the opportunity to play for such a storied franchise over the past few seasons. I want to thank my teammates for their support and guidance. Most importantly, I want thank the fans of New York who are some of the most passionate basketball fans in the world. Playing in my hometown has been incredibly special and I will be forever grateful for having had the chance to wear a Knicks uniform.

"Though I look forward to starting a new chapter in Cleveland to join some of the best talent in the game in the quest for an NBA Championship, this great experience in New York will always stay with me. 

"Thank you again, fans. Your support means the world."

Going from a floundering franchise to a playoff contender might help ease the pain.

Smith's first trip back to Madison Square Garden with Cavaliers will be on Feb. 22.

Carmelo Anthony to critics: I'm not 'a loser': Report

Despite leading the New York Knicks to the worst start start in the history of the franchise, Carmelo Anthony fired back at his critics who called him "a loser." 

The Knicks forward tried to take the pressure of his new $124 million contract and superstar status off himself by claiming the team's 5-23 start — on pace to post its worst record ever after going 37-45 last season and missing the playoffs — doesn't boil down to a loser's mentality.

“I didn’t think it would be like this,’’ Anthony told the Washington Post via the N.Y. Post. “I’m like, why? Time goes by so fast and one thing you realize, you can’t control winning. It’s out of your control. You can control what you do. You can control your work ethic and your mindset when it comes down to winning. Everything has to be synchronized from ownership all the way down to the staff. Everything has to be in sync.’’

Anthony is in his 12th NBA season, but has advanced past the first round of the playoffs twice. And since joining the Knicks in 2010, only once. 

Anthony, who missed Thursday’s game in Chicago and is debating whether to sit for a couple of weeks to rest his chronic left knee injury .

“At the end of the day, we all know what the goal is and that’s to win a championship,’’ Anthony said. “I know that I’m a winner. Even though you might lose some games here and there, I know I’m a winner. I’ve won already. I’ve won off the court and on the court. I’m living the American dream. That’s winning to me. Nobody can say anything about [me] being a loser.”

Anthony, who missed Thursday’s game in Chicago and is debating whether to sit for a couple of weeks to rest his chronic left knee injury, admitted he hears the negative talk.

“Everybody has an opinion,’’ Anthony said in the interview. “ Everybody knows it all. They think they know you. You kind of become what the back page says you are. That’s messed up. I think just going through it, and you’ve seen the worst of the worst. Being here at the bottom and you can easily see how people will dismiss you, step on you and forget about you. This is the belly of the beast. New York will eat you alive if you let it.”

The history of losing has bothered Anthony to the point of frustration. A near brawl with teammate Tim Hardaway Jr. and reports that Anthony would consider waiving his no-trade clause rather than nixing a trade if the Knicks struck a deal to an attractive destination have fueled reports of a departure.

Anthony responded by saying he would have a "weak mind" to want out amid "a wall of adversity."

Still, you have to wonder how much of it he can take.

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.

Carmelo Anthony's silver top hat creates Internet stir (PHOTOS)

The New York Knicks got blown out by the Brooklyn Nets, 110-99, Friday night at the Barclays Center. But after the game, it was hard to tell what was the bigger story: the lopsided loss to their crosstown rivals or Carmelo Anthony's silver and blue top hat.

One thing was for sure, it didn't take long for the Internet to light up with their own opinions and memes concerning Melo's fashion sense:

Player Haters Ball #Melo pic.twitter.com/cXi3sY9aYl
— ERV (@ervcas) November 8, 2014

Slide into your telegraph like pic.twitter.com/MjgnZ6lOG3
— netw3rk (@netw3rk) November 8, 2014

pic.twitter.com/6WZMIGjTGH
— Ryan Nanni (@celebrityhottub) November 8, 2014

pic.twitter.com/qgtQPFtDHh
— Tyler Pleiss (@Tyler_Pleiss) November 8, 2014

Next time Melo, at least consult with Walt Frazier before donning the pimp headwear — or stick to sweatbands.

Carmelo Anthony's Olympic bronze medal goes for $14K at auction: Report

While Carmelo Anthony looks to be in high demand around the NBA these days, it seems  the Knicks' free agent has just sold a little piece of himself for a measly 14 grand.

The bronze medal won by the star forward at the 2004 Athens Olympics has been auctioned off for $14,080, according to Inside the Games. The disappointing third-place medal was listed at auction house Julien’s Auctions. The buyer’s identity was not revealed.

The U.S. men’s basketball team beat Lithuania 104-96 to win bronze, while Argentina took gold and Italy won silver. It was the only time the American men didn’t win a basketball gold medal since professionals were permitted to compete in the Olympics.

Four years later in Beijing, the “Redeem Team,” which Anthony was also a member of, succeeded in their goal of winning back the gold. The 2012 London Games also saw a gold medal win for Melo and the American men. 

According to Julien’s Auctions, Anthony was unhappy with his team’s performance in Athens and “no longer cared to have [the medal] in his possession.” He then gave the bronze medal to a family member as a gift. The medal was put up for auction in May, with bids starting at $4,500.

Guess if you have two gold medals, a bronze is just tacky.

Metta World Peace doesn't call in for morning legal hearing because it was too early: Report

It seems like Metta World Peace really hasn't got the hang of this whole bi-coastal thing down pat yet — and may have to pay for it.

The kooky former Knick and Laker forward, previously known as Ron Artest, was not at a hearing in Manhattan Family Court Thursday, where his ex is fighting for him to pay private high school tuition for their 13-year-old son.

His lawyer, Elisabeth Vreeburg, said that it was 7 a.m. in California and that he “wasn’t able to be in a place where he could call in” for the hearing.

The 34-year-old World Peace was not sanctioned for his absence and there is not yet a ruling on whether sleepyhead can have the case transferred to Queens, his native borough.

A lawyer for his son’s mother, Jennifer Palma, say the request is a delay tactic, an attempt for the athlete to get out of paying their son’s $38,355-per-year high school tuition at Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn.

She filed a lawsuit against the basketball veteran in April, claiming he verbally agreed to pay the pricey prep school bill at the school he attended as an eighth-grader.

This guy never makes anything easy, does he?

Mark Jackson thinks he has right personality for Knicks job: Report

Contrary to earlier rumors, Mark Jackson called the Knicks' vacant head-coaching position “an incredible job’’ and seemed to suggest he would have legitimate interest in the gig despite word on the street.

A member of Jackson's inner circle said Jackson may be leery of a situation in which the team president is very hands-on with the coach —  ala Phil Jackson. 

When Phil Jackson does hire his new coach, he will be surely be pulling the strings from behind the scenes — something Mark Jackson would never stand for. Which leaves Derek Fisher as Phil Jackson's familiar and logical top choice plus a better fit in the new Knicks president's system.

But don't count out the former-Warriors head coach.

Mark Jackson, who is doing the NBA Finals for ABC, said in a conference call, it takes "a special personality" to coach the Knicks and everyone’s "not made for New York City."

It appeared Jackson was questioning whether Fisher or Steve Kerr, both from other cities, had those special ingredients.

"Obviously you hear the talk even if it’s the New York Post reporting my inner circle made a statement and I have no clue because my wife and kids haven’t spoken to The Post. To counter that, it’s an incredible job. It’s an incredible opportunity and I’m sure that Phil Jackson will do an outstanding job of finding the right coach to get that organization and that team headed back in the right situation."

Fisher, a product of Little Rock, Ark., was asked on Sunday whether he liked New York City. He said his first visit as a Lakers rookie he "locked myself in the hotel room" because he was fearful. Fisher added the city "kind of grew on me."

Mark Jackson, from his game to his accent, is as New York as they come.

"As a kid that grew up in New York City, a fan of the Knicks, everybody’s not made for New York City," said the Brooklyn native, ex-St. John’s and Knicks star. "That’s whether you’re management, whether you’re playing, whether you’re coaching.

"To be quite honest, everybody is not built for it. It’s a different animal. It takes a special personality and a person understanding the things that come into play. I’m biased, but I thought Jeff [Van Gundy] did an incredible job juggling all of them."

Phil Jackson hasn’t spoken directly to Mark Jackson, but it’s believed general manager Steve Mills and assistant GM Allan Houston, who are close to Mark Jackson, have been in contact.

"I do look forward to coaching one day if it presents himself again," said Jackson, who was fired by Golden State last month. "Right now I’m having a blast with my crew."

Derek Fisher will wait a few days before deciding future: Report

Derek Fisher is pretty sure his NBA playing days probably ended Saturday night after the Thunder were ousted from the playoffs. But now the doors have possibly opened for new career as head coach of the New York Knicks or Los Angeles Lakers. Again — possibly.

The 17-year NBA veteran, who lingered on the court after the Thunder loss, said he had too much respect for his teammates to talk about any coaching job, adding he’ll need a few days to make up his mind.

“I can’t go there tonight,’’ Fisher said in the Thunder locker room. “It’s too fresh of a wound. It’s possible this truly symbolizes the end of a very long career. I don’t think [with] the emotions I’m feeling now it’s smart to bet on what I’m going to do next. I’m definitely going to take it seriously and consider my options, consider what’s best and go from there. There’s a right way to wrap this season up and show it the proper respect.’’

Fisher has been projected as a coaching candidate with his former team in Los Angeles and with his former coach, Phil Jackson, in New York since the playoffs began.

The Lakers and Knicks could move forward with any plans to interview him now that the Thunder's season has ended. Fisher said he has not directly talked to Jackson or any other NBA executive. Jackson told New York media members last Friday that he had not spoken to Fisher.

“There are a number of people who will be impacted by the decision I do make,’’ Fisher said. 

“Whether I continue to play or do something else within the game, there’s a lot at stake.’’

After Steve Kerr turned down the Knicks' coaching job to go to the Golden State Warriors, one NBA source said the Knicks would likely stop its search until Fisher was available. The Lakers have already interviewed several coach candidates.

The Thunder still hope he comes back, possibly as a player/assistant coach, but that seems doubtful if a head coaching job is on the table.

Phil Jackson prefers Brian Shaw over Derek Fisher: Report

Being spurned by Steve Kerr in the New York Knicks coaching hunt hasn't deterred Phil Jackson from kicking a few other tires on his old coaching bus. But the Zen Master may be setting himself up for another flat if he goes after Brian Shaw — the Nuggets coach who keeps insisting that he is content in Denver.

All the talk these days seems to be focused on Derek Fisher taking over the reins — although he won't comment until the Thunder season is over — and that chatter seems to be coming from the media rather than then Knicks president himself.

Now we might know why.

It seems Jackson prefers Shaw over Fisher, said a source according to the N.Y. Post.

Prying his former assistant from the Nuggets would require the Knicks to pay compensation. That appears to be a bigger roadblock to getting Shaw out of his Denver contract than Shaw’s reluctance to come to New York. It’s unclear whether Jackson has formally asked the Nuggets permission to speak to Shaw.

Jackson hasn’t given up total hope he somehow can woo Shaw from Denver, especially if the Fisher scenario falls through.

Coincidentally, the Nuggets showcased Shaw on the dais of Tuesday’s NBA Draft Lottery. And although e finished his first season in Denver without a playoff berth amid some rumblings the players weren’t thrilled with him. The Nuggets didn’t improve their lottery position and will have the 11th pick.

“I’m happy where I am,” Shaw told The Post on his way out of the lottery room Tuesday night. “I have a job here, so all the speculation that’s out there, that’s just speculation.”