New York Knicks owner James Dolan confirmed Charles Oakley is banned from Madison Square Garden, but left the door open for that to be overturned if the former Knick addresses his "personality problems."
"It's not necessarily a lifetime ban," Dolan said Friday on "The Michael Kay Show" on ESPN New York 98.7 FM.
Oakley was forcibly removed from Wednesday's loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, and has since gone on record telling his side of the story. He said he was ordered to exit the premises after being wrongly accused of provoking Dolan, who rejected his offer to end their feud.
Related: Oakley arrested, charged with 3 counts of assault
Dolan is incredulous that Oakley's public recounts of the ordeal differ so vastly from the team's official statements, which are backed by video footage and "dozens" of eye-witness accounts. He then made some unfounded accusations about issues he believes the former All-Star's battling.
Related - Knicks: Everything Oakley said was 'pure fiction'
"I don't know how to explain it," the businessman said. "Maybe he doesn't remember it. To me, I think that Charles has got a problem. ... He's his own worst problem. He has a problem. People need to sort of understand that. He has a problem with anger, he's physically and verbally angry. He may have a problem with alcohol, I don't know, but those behaviors of being physically and verbally abusive. Those are personality problems."
Dolan said he hopes Oakley can overcome those problems, and when he does, he'll be welcome back at MSG.
"There's nothing that would make me happier than to see Charles Oakley at center court ... me shaking his hand," the 61-year-old said. "All it would take is him to change his behavior."
There's been plenty of backlash over the statement the team issued soon after Oakley was removed from the contest, which said "We hope he gets some help soon." Dolan stood by it.
"We were trying to be kind," he said. "It obviously didn't come off that way, but I do think that Charles needs help." Dolan elaborated saying that Oak has run into "a lot of trouble" and had many physical altercations since he retired from the NBA in 2004.
"That can't be something that he intended to have happen. ... Maybe he's in denial."
Dolan added he knows the fans love the big man, and he himself would "love" for Oak to get his issue under control so he, like other Knicks legends, can get the recognition he not only covets, but also deserves. The team owner also indicated that although he assumes Oakley has people in his life who can help him, the club would be willing to provide support.
Throughout the interview, Dolan emphasized the importance of making fans feel safe and comfortable bringing their families to the Garden, and that generally speaking, there's "heightened security" around any famous person in attendance.
"We're always mindful of anybody who's famous, especially alumni Knicks who come to the game," he said, adding that "usually" the security helps them.
That wasn't the case Wednesday, with the hoard of security guards exacerbating the nationally televised fiasco.
