Charles Oakley speaks about his MSG arrest; past and present NBA players express their support

Charles Oakley is out of jail after his Tuesday night arrest in the stands of Madison Square Garden. Yes, I had to type that sentence, and you had to read it, because these are the New York Knicks and this is what they do.

Oak gave his side story after being released from jail:

You can watch more of the interview on ESPN. My favorite quote:

“I been jumped before, so in my mind I’m thinking like, if you see 7, 8, 9, 10 guys walking up on you, you have to brace yourself and be ready for the challenge.”

There are conflicting reports of how the incident started, with some saying Oakley was the instigator. Other spectators backed up Oakley’s claim, per The New York Times:

A guard soon came over to Oakley and asked him to leave. Oakley asked why.

“He just couldn’t understand why,” said Matthew Barbara, who sat a few rows up from Oakley. “We didn’t see him throw a punch or do anything. He wasn’t nasty to any of the people behind him. We’re trying to figure out what happened.”

Not surprisingly, Oakley picked up support from all over the league — from LeBron James...

...to former Knick Wilson Chandler...

...to longtime Oakley (and New York) nemesis Reggie Miller.

Don’t make me like you Reggie, you punk-ass bitch...DON’T MAKE ME LIKE YOU!

Meanwhile, fans were subjected to a heartbreaking “ what might have been” anecdote from Frank Isola:

He wants to be connected to the franchise and the fan base that adores him. In the past he's tried to meet with Dolan to settle their differences but that hasn't happened. Two years ago, Phil Jackson talked to Oakley about working with the team's big men. Oakley was interested but the job fell through. Perhaps Dolan put the kibosh on that.

Thankfully the Knicks’ talented young bigs still have Kurt Rambis to learn from. Yes, that makes us all feel better.

Oakley will be on Stephen A. Smith’s radio show at 2 PM, if you’re into that sort of thing.

Finally, let me leave you with this Oakley quote from last night. God bless.