Having followed the Knicks this century, the events that transpired Thursday should have come as no surprise.  This organization seems to handle everything wrong whether it was everything related to Isaiah Thomas, including but not limited to the Anuka Brown Sanders sexual harassment, how they have handled everything related to Carmelo Anthony, and how they have run the front office.  Keep in mind, the one guy that showed the ability to navigate through all of this, Donnie Walsh, was first marginalized and then effectively shoved out the door.

The Charles Oakley incident is just the latest incident in what has been a series of missteps by this once proud and relevant organization.

It should now come as no surprise the Knicks have now banned Oakley from the Garden.  It should first be noted Oakley did his part.  Anytime you put your hands on a security guard, you have merited a lifetime ban.  Depending on who you believe, Oakley may have precipitated the ejection from the arena by heckling Dolan.  Oakley denies it, but who could blame him?  Things have been a mess.  What really stands out is how he was ejected.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0ZniwKB_pw

Honestly, look how many people were there ready to have him ejected.  They seemingly brought out each and every security guard there to remove him from the game.  The Knicks made a spectacle before Oakley made a spectacle.

Let’s assume Oakley said nothing, but Dolan wanted him gone anyway due to their acrimonious relationship.  Apparently, Dolan was so upset by Oakley’s mere presence at the game, he was willing to have security remove him WHILE THE GAME WAS GOING ON!  He wanted him gone that badly.  He didn’t care if he was bothering the view of the fans nearby.  He didn’t care if he was distracting his team on the court.  He wanted Oakley gone no matter who was inconvenienced or distracted.

Now, let’s assume Oakley was heckling Dolan.  Why wouldn’t he?  The Knicks have been ineptly run for years now.  I’d be shocked if he wasn’t heckled throughout the Garden during most Knicks games.  He’s certainly earned it.  And you know what?  If he is that thin-skinned, he needs to sit up in an owner’s suite rather than down near the court.

Alas, he’s the owner, and it’s his prerogative.  Still, he has to be smarter, and he has to know this was not going to end well for anyone.  Knowing what we know of Oakley, there was no way he was leaving that game.  If that is the case, why not attempt to do it the right way anyway.  Phil Jackson was one of his coaches with the Bulls.  Former teammate Allan Houston is a member of the front office and routinely at games.  For that matter, many Knicks legends and former teammates attend the games.  They could have handled the situation better than Dolan did by having security surround him and escalate the situation.

Oakley is a Knicks legend and a fan favorite.  He should be treated as such.  He wasn’t.

This goes a long way towards explaining what has happened between the Knicks and Carmelo Anthony.  The team doesn’t seem to care about how it treats its stars, or in reality, even disrupting the team’s play.  The Garden seemingly picks its favorites, and those people are treated like gold and are untouchable.  It’s not surprising the Garden’s favorites do not align with how the fan’s favorites are.  Even less surprising is the fact that the Garden favorites have rarely, if ever, aligned with building a winning team.

We all deserve better from the Knicks.  More importantly, Charles Oakley did.  He’s banned for life, but we’re still stuck watching this nonsense.

On the bright side, Pitchers and Catchers report on Monday meaning we can all ignore the Knicks tomfoolery this Spring just like we have most seasons since Dolan has assumed control of the Knicks.