Charles Oakley: NBA Has to Look into James Dolan, Knicks' 'Plantation'

Former New York Knicks star Charles Oakley wants the NBA to look into the way James Dolan runs the franchise in the wake of an incident involving Spike Lee trying to enter Madison Square Garden for Monday's game against the Brooklyn Nets.

Appearing on ESPN Radio's Golic and Wingo, Oakley called the Knicks a "plantation" under Dolan and said he seems to have an issue with control:

Speaking to Dan Gelston of the Associated Press, Oakley said he would like to see the NBA start examining how Dolan runs the Knicks: "The NBA has got to take a look at this. You can't keep closing your eyes to this. This is like, turn your head if you see someone beat somebody up and you just keep walking."

Video of Lee yelling at MSG security circulated on social media, leading to speculation that he was being denied entry into the arena. However, the dispute was later revealed to be over what entrance Lee was using and he was able to make it to his seat courtside.   

The Knicks said in a statement they have "repeatedly asked [Lee] to not use our employee entrance and instead use a dedicated VIP entrance" into Madison Square Garden and that the Oscar-winning director "agreed to" use it when he was seen shaking Dolan's hand Monday night. 

Appearing on Tuesday's First Take, Lee denied shaking Dolan's hand and said he was "being harassed" by the Knicks owner. 

"They wanted me to leave the Garden, walk outside ... and come back on 31st Street," Lee added. "And I said I'm not doing that."

Oakley was arrested and escorted out of the arena after shoving a member of MSG security during a February 2017 game between the Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers.

Frank Isola reported Oakley was yelling at Dolan and ignored warnings to stop when security came over to him.

Oakley filed a civil lawsuit against Dolan and the organization, but it was dismissed by a federal judge last month. 

Lee, who has been a Knicks season-ticket holder since 1985, told First Take he is "done" attending their games this season as a result of Monday's incident.