Jeff Van Gundy hopes Knicks honor Oakley, retire number

It may just be wishful thinking at this point - considering all that's happened between the New York Knicks and ex-enforcer Charles Oakley - but one former coach of the team hopes the franchise will extend an olive branch and honor Oakley at Madison Square Garden.

"I love the Knicks, and I love Charles Oakley," said Jeff Van Gundy during Wednesday's Knicks-Oklahoma City Thunder telecast, according to News Day's Al Iannazzone. "Charles, with all of his greatness, helped me immeasurably. So I’m glad that it seems that it’s heading toward a positive resolution.

"Hopefully one day very soon it’s ‘Charles Oakley Day.’ I do think his number should be retired. The longevity and his accomplishments warrant it. But more so that he understands exactly what he meant to the organization and the city."

Oakley was forcibly removed from his seat during last Wednesday's Knicks game against the visiting Los Angeles Clippers by MSG security. He was arrested and charged with three misdemeanor counts of assault and criminal trespassing for his actions and alleged verbal abuse, which ultimately led to owner James Dolan banning him from the building.

The ban was eventually rescinded by Dolan, which Van Gundy sees as a step in the right direction toward slowly repairing the tarnished relationship.

"I’m thankful that the Knicks opened the door when he is ready that he can come back," Van Gundy added. "When he’s ready I think it will be something really, really positive.

"I think the fans will love it. I think the Knicks organization will be so glad that they did, and Charles will be honored that they have taken that step to honor. I’m just hopeful that it keeps going in a positive direction."

Nonetheless, Oakley still wants Dolan and the Knicks to apologize for their role in what transpired. He also won't attend a game anytime soon, which he told Dolan during a conference call that included league commissioner Adam Silver and Michael Jordan.

Oakley played 727 regular-season games in a Knicks uniform, averaging a double-double of 10.4 points and 10 rebounds.