Photo Credit: TMZ Sports

Charles Oakley says he has no idea why he was kicked out of Madison Square Garden before the altercation turned physical with security Wednesday night.  Oakley was charged with three misdemeanor counts of assault, all third-degree, and one count of criminal trespass, a third-degree misdemeanor.  After he was released from police custody, Oakley sat down with a friend from Jimmy’s NYC restaurant and gave his side of the story.

“What happened is me and four friends went to the game tonight, to watch the Knicks and Clippers. We did sit down, trying to have a good time. Next thing I know I was asked to leave the building,” Oakley said.  “I asked, ‘Why?’ and they said, ‘You have to leave because someone ordered you to leave.’ And I’m like, ‘I’ve been here four-and-a-half minutes.’

“I’m a Knicks fan, played here 10 years. I love the Knicks. I love New York. This is my heart. I wish them all the luck and success on the basketball court. I don’t know why I’m not welcome into the Garden.”

Oakley said he felt threatened by the security personnel.

“When someone is walking up on you, you’ve got to protect yourself in all matters,” Oakley said. “I’ve been in situations like this before. I’ve been jumped before. So in my mind, if you see eight, nine, 10 guys walking up on you, you’ve got to brace yourself and be ready for the challenge. That’s all I was thinking.”