Charles Oakley is cheering for Kevin Knox ahead of rookie's Knicks debut

'Play hard and the Garden will love you,' the Knicks legend tweeted

10/17/2018, 6:07 PM
Charles Oakley Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports / Jeremy Brevard
Charles Oakley Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports / Jeremy Brevard

Kevin Knox has the support of at least one Knicks legend, even if it's one who still isn't on the best terms with the franchise.

Hours before the Knicks' tip-off in opening night against the Hawks at Madison Square Garden, Charles Oakley tweeted his well-wishes for the rookie small forward, who will surprisingly come off the bench in his NBA debut.  

"Good luck tonight @KevKnox," Oakley wrote. "Play hard and the Garden will love you. Rooting for you young fella. Bring the intensity! Starts on D!"

Oakley, however, didn't get much love from the Garden during his latest and now-infamous visit.

In February 2017, he was ejected by Garden security during a nationally-televised game between the Knicks and Clippers. The fracas, which led to assault charges against Oakley that were later dropped, extended an ongoing feud between him and Knicks owner James Dolan.

Oakley has been on the outs with the Knicks ever since. And when asked in May whom he thinks the Knicks should target in the free agency or the draft, Oakley was blunt.

"I don't know, they don't listen to me," he said. "When you throw me out, that means my opinion doesn't matter." 

Still, that doesn't mean he can't cheer on the Knicks' top pick.

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