CLEVELAND _ Charles Oakley attended his first Knicks game since being thrown out of Madison Square Garden two weeks ago. He sat with Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert in the front row right next to Cleveland's bench.
"I'm rooting for a good game," Oakley said.
Oakley, who is from Cleveland, has been publicly feuding with Knicks owner James Dolan, after he was removed from the Garden by team and Garden security during a Feb. 8 game against the Clippers.
The beloved former Knick was dragged out of the arena, arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault and criminal trespassing. The charges are still pending. Two days later, Dolan announced that Oakley was banned from the Garden indefinitely for being verbally abusive.
Oakley indicated Thursday night that he's not yet over what happened.
"How long would it take you to get over something?" Oakley said.
It was an ugly situation for all parties and for the NBA, which stepped in and tried to play peacemaker.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver arranged a sit-down with Dolan and Oakley that included Oakley's good friend, Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan, via conference call.
Both men apologized in that meeting, according to Silver. The ban was also lifted. But Oakley has had some harsh comments directed at Dolan in interviews since. He said he's "hurt" and not ready to return to the Garden as Dolan's guest.
Frederic R. Nance, who introduced himself as Oakley's lawyer, said Oakley will speak at the appropriate time.
The Knicks' statement the night of the incident that ended with "we hope he gets some help soon," and subsequent comments Dolan made in an interview on ESPN Radio alleging Oakley may be an alcoholic upset the former Knicks enforcer.
Silver said over All-Star weekend that he's "disheartened" that things are not "moving forward in a constructive way right now." But Silver remains hopeful that peace can be reached.
