Former Knicks forward Charles Oakley was an infamous on-court enforcer during the hard-nosed era of late '80s-early '90s NBA basketball.
And despite his playing days being well behind him, he still holds every ounce of that aggressive edge, which security guards at Madison Square Garden found out first hand during New York's game against the world champion Cavs on Thursday (NZ time).
Oakley was involved in a confrontation with arena staff while sitting in the stands which escalated into a heated exchange of words, shoves and even a stray punch, putting a halt to the on-court action.
The 53-year-old was dragged out by a gaggle of security while the MSG faithful chanted his name, and was ultimately placed under arrest.
He remains steadfast in his belief that he wasn't to blame, despite claims by Knicks PR otherwise.
"I was there for four minutes, I sit down and I'm talking to people and there's 10 to 15 people lined up at the court looking at me," Oakley told The Stephen A Smith Show overnight.
"Then about eight of them came up saying 'We have orders that you have to leave the building'. I bought the ticket. I said I’m not leaving.
"That's when everything started."
Oakley believes he's unfairly targeted at the arena where he spent 10 seasons plying his trade, and that staff are obliged to tell Knicks owner James Dolan every time he makes an appearance.
It's a personal vendetta Oakley is confused by but has nonetheless been trying to resolve for years, although many attribute it to his outspoken criticism of Dolan's management of the team – a once storied franchise which is now mired in irrelevance.
"I'm not going to argue with James Dolan. I really have no beef with this man, I've been trying to sit down with him for four or five years to find out, what did I do to make him dislike me.
"All I did was play hard for the organisation for 10 years and the fans of New York, and gave them my heart every night. I dived on the floor, took charges, got banged up, I didn’t cry about nothing. I played for the love of the game, my teammates and the fans.
"He doesn't have to like me, but he doesn't have the right to send those guys on me. It shouldn't have come down to that."
The Ohio native is no stranger to confrontation on and off the court, and recounted a number of incidents in past years which have left him highly defensive.
"In Vegas I got jumped two times, one time it was eight guys, next time it was seven guys – so I got rules, I never just let people walk up on me.
"One guy, try your luck. Eight or nine guys, I got to brace myself and be ready for the challenge."
Police charged Oakley with three counts of assault and criminal trespassing, with the offer of a bailout received, but refused, from the most legendary of places - long-time friend, teammate, and also former adversary, Michael Jordan.
"It was just a casual conversation, what we do – talk breeze.
"He said 'do you need me to come and get you, I'll fly over and get you?'. I said 'nah, this is New York, I got love in the city'."
Watch video of the incident above
Newshub.
