Not that he needs them, but Charles Oakley has the full support of the Banana Boat Boys.
First, it was LeBron James. Now, good friends Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul have publicly professed their backing of Knicks fan favorite Charles Oakley after an ugly incident at Madison Square Garden that led to the former power forward's arrest.
The 53-year-old Oakley, who spent 10 of a nearly 20-year NBA career in New York, shoved security guards near courtside where he was seated to take in Wednesday night's matchup between the Knicks and Clippers, before being escorted out. Oakley was released later that night and charged with three counts of assault and one count of criminal trespassing.
It was another chapter in a long and often contentious relationship between Oakley and his former employer.
10years!!! 10 years Oak gave everything he had for this organization and the image everyone will be left with won't be this picture. It will be the imagine of him being taken down to the ground last night in the same arena he gave his all 2 as a player by the guards! This Could happen to any of us!!! #StayWoke We are not above this treatment!
Wade's reaction is plausible.
The Bulls shooting guard played his first 13 seasons in Miami, winning three championships, but couldn't get as much as a phone call from Heat President Pat Riley during his free agency this past summer, a slight he likely won't ever forget.
Paul took the Knicks' handling of the situation to task after the team sent out a press release, stating it hopes Oakley "gets some help soon."
"Hope that he gets some help soon??" Don't like the way they're trying to portray Oak...ALWAYS had my back and the realest person our league has seen! #UncleOak
It's a horrible look for the Knicks, (22-32 and 12th in the Eastern Conference standings) who seem to be taking losses, be it on or off the court, daily.
Tuesday, Knicks President took a not-so-subtle jab at nine-time all-star Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony, who counts James, Paul and Wade among his closest pals. The Knicks have been reportedly trying to convince Anthony to waive the no-trade clause in his contract so they can deal him away before the NBA's Feb. 23 trade deadline. He's been linked to potential moves involving the Cavaliers, Celtics, Clippers and most recently the Bulls.
The four, whose families often vacation together, might be the most powerful and influential group of players in all the league. Paul is president of the National Basketball Players Association.
None of this can bode well for the Knicks' reputation when they try to convince another big-name free agent to join the team this offseason or persuade second-year standout Kristaps Porzingis to re-sign with the team when the time comes.
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