By Fred Jeter

Former New York Knicks star Charles Oakley has a reputation of being a powerful man who doesn’t back down.

James Dolan, owner of the NBA team, has a reputation of having paper-thin skin.

Their extreme personalities clashed Feb. 8 at Madison Square Garden, resulting in an embarrassing situation that drew national publicity for all the wrong reasons.

Oakley, a former Virginia Union University All-American — Class of 1985 — who played for the Knicks from 1988 through 1999, was confronted by a posse of security at New York’s Madison Square Garden during the first quarter of a Knicks-Los Angeles Clippers game.

The robust 6-foot-8 Oakley was instructed to leave the building, as ordered by Dolan, who is executive chairman of The Madison Square Garden Co. and responsible for the day-to-day operations of its professional sports teams.

When Oakley shoved a security guard while declining to leave, he was forcefully escorted into a tunnel, wrestled to the ground, handcuffed and later charged with three counts of misdemeanor assault and criminal trespassing.

The Cleveland native was released from jail later that evening. Now represented by attorney Alex Spiro, Oakley is to appear in April in a New York court.

In a prepared statement, the Knicks said Oakley “came to the game tonight and behaved in a highly inappropriate and abusive manner.”

Dolan also accused Oakley of being intoxicated, a claim Oakley deems “pure fiction.”

Oakley, who has a history of criticizing Dolan’s management, has a long-festering feud with the Knicks boss. The situation intensified this year when the Knicks failed to include Oakley in the team’s 70th anniversary celebration. He was at the Feb. 8 game with friends, sitting several rows behind Dolan when things heated up.

While admitting “I should have never put my hands on anyone,” Oakley denies the Knicks’ contention that he was threatening in any way or under the influence of alcohol.

Oakley insists he “never said a word to Dolan” prior to the security team’s arrival. 

On Monday, Feb. 13, Oakley, Dolan and basketball superstar Michael Jordan had a conference with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in Manhattan.

“Both Mr. Oakley and Mr. Dolan were apologetic about the incident and subsequent comments, and their negative impact on the Knicks and the NBA,” Silver said.

On Tuesday, Feb. 14, coincidentally a day synonymous with warm feelings, the ban against Oakley from entering Madison Square Garden was lifted. Also, the Garden’s chief of security, Frank Benedetto, has been fired.

Some background is in order:

Oakley is among the most ruggedly aggressive athletes ever to wear the Knicks blue and orange.

In 1994, in helping New York to the NBA finals against the Houston Rockets, Oakley started 107 straight games — 82 in regular season and another 25 in the playoffs. That same year, he was an NBA All-Star and named to the NBA All-Defensive team.

In six of his NBA seasons, the durable forward started all 82 regular season games. While known mostly for his fierce defense, he posted career averages of 9.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists.

Dolan, 63, who is feared as an administrator, reportedly demands total loyalty and if he doesn’t receive it, someone pays.

Among his “decrees,” he has:

• Prohibited reporters from interviews without a Madison Square Garden public relations official present;

• Forbidden one-on-one interviews;

• Banned writers who authored negative stories;      

• Failed to renew the contract of veteran announcer Marv Albert in 2004 for alleged criticism of Knicks’ play.

Dolan also reportedly has had his own battle with alcohol and substance abuse and went into rehab in the 1990s.

Oakley is no wilting flower.

In 1996, he slugged NBA player Charles Barkley during an exhibition game. In 1999, he slapped Barkley with an open hand in an off-court spat.

As a member of the Toronto Raptors in 2000, Oakley punched teammate Jeff McInnis. Also with the Raptors, Oakley threw a basketball against the head of teammate Tyrone Hill during practice.

In both incidents, Oakley drew fines and suspensions from the NBA.

“Charles is as nice a guy as you’ll ever meet — totally respectful of everyone,” said his friend Terry Davis, a member of the VUU Class of 1989 and a longtime NBA player.

“But if you get in his face, that’s a whole different matter. There are certain rules you follow around Charles, and putting your hands on him is the No. 1 rule you don’t break.”

Oakley is especially close with Jordan. The two played together in Chicago and Washington. Since retiring from the NBA, Oakley often has accompanied Jordan, as a bodyguard of sorts, on various excursions to clubs, casinos and golf courses.

Oakley was married last July to the former Angela Reed. They have one daughter. 

Reached for comment by TMZ Sports, Mrs. Oakley countered Dolan’s drinking accusations by saying, “Charles doesn’t have a drinking problem. It would have come out long before if he did.”

Asked for her theory as to why matters got out of hand at the Garden, Mrs. Oakley said, “He was just showing the same passion he did as a player.”