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Charles Oakley still hurt over James Dolan's comments following meeting with Adam Silver, Michael Jordan

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Updated: Monday, February 13, 2017, 10:17 PM

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Charles Oakley hasn't ruled out settling his feud with James Dolan but he wants more time to process everything that transpired over the past tumultuous week.

In a brief interview with the Daily News, Oakley revealed that an immediate resolution would be difficult only because "some of the things that were said about me hurt."

Oakley is referring Dolan insinuating that the beloved Knick is an alcoholic.

Oakley met with Dolan and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on Monday at the league's Manhattan headquarters. Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan joined the meeting via conference call.

Brooklyn Borough prez discusses MSG doc showing Oakley was target

The Daily News first reported the meeting.

Silver released a carefully worded statement Monday evening saying that Dolan is hopeful that Oakley will return to the Garden "as his guest in the near future." However, Silver made no mention of Dolan lifting the indefinite ban he imposed last Friday. And while Silver said that both Dolan and Oakley "were apologetic" but did not say that a truce had been struck.

http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.2971519.1487017851!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/article_1200/split-oak-0213.jpg 1200w" alt="The league office is considering having NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Michael Jordan step in to mediate a reconciliation." src="http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.2971519.1487017851!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/article_750/split-oak-0213.jpg" />

The league office is considering having NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Michael Jordan step in to mediate a reconciliation.

Oakley declined to discuss specifics from the meeting.

"It is beyond disheartening to see situations involving members of the NBA family like the one that occurred at Madison Square Garden this past week," Silver said. "In an effort to find a path forward, New York Knicks owner Jim Dolan, Charles Oakley, and I met today at the league office, along with Michael Jordan, who participated by phone.

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"Both Mr. Oakley and Mr. Dolan were apologetic about the incident and subsequent comments, and their negative impact on the Knicks organization and the NBA. Mr. Dolan expressed his hope that Mr. Oakley would return to MSG as his guest in the near future.

"I appreciate the efforts of Mr. Dolan, Mr. Oakley and Mr. Jordan to work towards a resolution of this matter."

The league is eager to put the controversy behind prior to All Star Weekend in New Orleans. The NBA as well as the Knicks could also be feeling pressure from local politicians and civil rights groups who have threatened to stage protests outside Madison Square Garden.

The Rev. Al Sharpton and his civil rights organization, the National Action Network, released a statement Monday calling for Dolan to lift the ban on Oakley. The NAN threatened to protest outside the Garden if Dolan does not comply with the demand.

Charles Oakley is now just another angry black man to James Dolan

"This is an issue that is not going to go away," said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. "Dolan must understand that the basketball court is not a place where you are going to treat people disrespectfully when they complete their careers. And it sends the wrong message to the countless number of young people, particularly in the inner city that use basketball as a way to escape some of the difficult times that they are going through."

Oakley was arrested last Wednesday following an altercation with Garden security during the first quarter of a game against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Knicks contend that Oakley arrived at the Garden intoxicated and abusive. Oakley, who purchased his own ticket, maintains he was not drunk and says that he was harassed by security, who in the past have followed him at MSG.

The Knicks were heavily criticized for their treatment of Oakley. Several high profile players, including LeBron James, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade denounced the Knicks actions.

Dolan, however, doubled down last Friday by announcing that Oakley is banned indefinitely from the Garden. Dolan also accused Oakley of having anger management issues and strongly suggested that Oakley is an alcoholic.

The league may be stepping in to bring peace to the Charles Oakley-James Dolan drama.

(SPORTSDAYWIRE)

"You put a label on someone and it sticks," Oakley said last week. "Every time I watch TV all I hear is that I'm a drunk."

Silver recruited Jordan to help mediate the talks because Jordan, like Dolan, is an owner and more importantly he's Oakley's good friend. Oakley and Jordan were teammates with both Chicago and Washington.

Ironically, Oakley over the years had expressed a desire to meet with Dolan face-to-face only to be rebuffed each time. It took Wednesday's explosive situation to finally bring the two together.

Similarly, the Oakley-Dolan feud led to the Knicks reconciling with Latrell Sprewell, who was estranged from the Knicks for the last 14 years. Sprewell sat next to Dolan during Sunday's win over San Antonio.

Dolan's relationship with Oakley is complicated. Although Oakley has praised the Knicks in previous interviews he's also been critical of the product on the court and of Dolan. That criticism eventually led to Dolan refusing to give Oakley tickets and declining to invite him to team events. The Knicks are commemorating their 70th anniversary this season but has excluded Oakley from the season-long celebration.

The league is said to be embarrassed by how the Dolan-Oakley feud played out and doesn't want it to linger as they head to New Orleans for one of their marquee events. Silver, of course, will be in New Orleans and Dolan, the Chairman of Madison Square Garden, usually attends Friday's tech summit. Oakley, who remains close to several active players including LeBron, said last week that he was planning to be in New Orleans.