Adam Silver, Michael Jordan help mend Charles Oakley, James Dolan feud
Calling the situation between the New York Knicks and former Knicks forward Charles Oakley "beyond disheartening," NBA commissioner Adam Silver enlisted the help of Hall of Famer and Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan to help resolve the issue.
It looks like their help is working. On Tuesday, Madison Square Garden lifted its ban on Oakley, the first step in a resolution between the Knicks owner James Dolan and Oakley.
"In an effort to find a path forward, New York Knicks owner Jim Dolan, Charles Oakley, and I met today at the league office, along with Michael Jordan, who participated by phone," Silver said in a statement.
“Both Mr. Oakley and Mr. Dolan were apologetic about the incident and subsequent comments, and their negative impact on the Knicks organization and the NBA. Mr. Dolan expressed his hope that Mr. Oakley would return to MSG as his guest in the near future.
“I appreciate the efforts of Mr. Dolan, Mr. Oakley and Mr. Jordan to work towards a resolution of this matter.”
More on Dolan-Oakley feud:
James Dolan and his 'friends' don't fool Knicks fans
Knicks owner James Dolan: Charles Oakley 'has a problem'
Witness accounts depict Charles Oakley as uncooperative and aggressive
The ordeal began last Wednesday during the Knicks-Clippers game when the former New York forward and beloved big man was arrested and charged with three counts of assault. That preceded an ugly back-and-forth between Oakley and the organization.
Witness accounts depicted Oakley as uncooperative and aggressive with numerous arena officials corroborating a story of Oakley being verbally abusive.
The affair was made uglier as Knicks fans serenaded their team with various pro-Oakley chants later in the week.
Amidst all the ugliness, the Knicks triumphantly took down the Spurs on Sunday. The win was overshadowed as Dolan hosted former Knicks stars Latrell Sprewell and Larry Johnson along the baseline.
Follow Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt.