Knicks great arrested courtside after fighting with security

New York Knicks great Charles Oakley has been arrested by New York police after getting into a courtside scuffle with Madison Square Garden security guards.

Oakley, 53, played for the Knicks between 1988 and 1998, a stint that included one All-Star appearance for the 203-centimetre forward.

The Knicks' home game against the Los Angeles Clippers was interrupted just six minutes into the first quarter when security surrounded Oakley.

ESPN cameras followed the incident live, while fans shared their own videos of Oakley being carried into the tunnel by multiple security guards.

"Charles Oakley came to the game tonight and behaved in a highly inappropriate and completely abusive manner," a statement released by New York Knicks PR said.

"He has been ejected and is currently being arrested by the New York City Police Department. He was a great Knick and we hope he gets some help soon."

Reporters close to the altercation, including ESPN's Ian Begley, said Oakley "went after Knicks owner James Dolan".

New York president of basketball operations Phil Jackson, a former player with the Knicks himself, attempted to calm Oakley down in the tunnel.

"'This is bulls***,' Oakley said," tweeted Begley.

Oakley was known as an enforcer during his playing career as the Knicks engaged in tough playoff series against Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls and other Eastern Conference teams.

He has previously spoken publicly about being estranged from the franchise because of Dolan.

"As hard as I played for that motherf***er, and he don't want to talk with me?" Oakley said in February 2015.

The present-day Knicks are mired in controversy because Jackson has waged a verbal war with star player Carmelo Anthony, who has a clause preventing him from being traded without consent.