Oakley says he did nothing to provoke Dolan

Charles Oakley disputed claims that his forcible removal from Madison Square Garden Wednesday started with the one-time New York Knicks star berating MSG chairman James Dolan.

"I was (at the game) for four minutes," Oakley told the New York Daily News' Frank Isola after being released from police custody. "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."

Related: Charles Oakley forcibly removed from MSG

Oakley was handcuffed and arrested at the arena, ultimately charged with three misdemeanor counts of assault. He was later released on a desk appearance ticket, which is essentially an order-to-appear in New York City parlance.

Multiple reports said Oakley - who has a contentious relationship with Dolan - was verbally sparring with the long-maligned executive, who was seated nearby. One fan told Isola that Oakley "clearly looked wasted."

Several security personnel were required to remove the 6-foot-9 Oakley from the seating area before he was arrested. One of the onlookers during the fracas was tennis legend John McEnroe.