Charles Oakley says he doesn’t have a problem with alcohol and has been active in helping others with the disease.
While owner James Dolan has accused him of likely being an alcoholic in banning him from the Garden, Oakley continues to help fight alcoholism in supporting his friend, ex-Net Jayson Williams, and assisting at treatment centers in Florida.
“Dolan might think because I go to volunteer at Rebound Institute treatment centers with Jayson that I’m a client,’’ Oakley told The Post. “I’m just supporting the amazing work Jayson is doing. I’m not an alcoholic, but Jayson is.’’
According to Oakley’s manager, Akhtar Farzaie, the former NBA enforcer has visited treatment centers several times, where he has cooked for patients. Oakley will hold a charity golf event for The Rebound Institute on May 4 in Boca Raton. The Rebound Institute helps people with addiction get treatment they otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford.
“He’s helping them, motivating them,’’ Farzaie told The Post.
Oakley struck up a close friendship with Williams during the Knicks-Nets rivalry of the 1990s.
After Williams got his second DWI, Oakley was instrumental in getting his longtime friend into the Florida clinic.
Williams called Oakley immediately and asked him to check out the facility. Oakley drove 1,200 miles in his truck from Cleveland, toured the facility, interviewed officials and then ordered Williams to attend.
“I’m just helping a friend, same as a friend would do for me,” Oakley told Sports Illustrated last year. “Do me a favor and don’t make me out to be no hero.”
Dolan, a recovering alcoholic, claimed Friday that Oakley’s unruly behavior may stem from alcohol and said he would help him if he came forward.
Dolan’s remarks were badly received, with some feeling it unfair to project such a claim without more evidence. (Oakley admitted he had a couple of drinks before Wednesday’s Clippers-Knicks game when he got arrested after allegedly cursing out security guards who were eyeballing him, then scuffling with them.)
In a radio interview Saturday, Oakley says his Garden ban won’t affect his time in New York, and there are plenty of other things he can do here when he visits, rather than seeing a Knicks team lacking defensive fundamentals.
One day after owner Dolan announced the Knick legend can no longer attend any Garden events, Oakley said he will still visit the Big Apple often.
“I’m in New York every two weeks,’’ Oakley said on SiriusXM radio. “I don’t have to ring a bell when I come to the city. I just do what I’m supposed to do when I’m in the city. I don’t shy away. I go to restaurants, plays, events, high schools. They don’t have to write about me helping the schools. The kids know and the people around me know.”
In fact, Oakley was in town to attend Tuesday’s Thurman Munson Dinner, sitting at a major donor table. A source said he wasn’t planning on attending Wednesday’s Clippers-Knicks game until the last minute.
The fan support for Oakley has been overwhelmingly favorable, overshadowing the Knicks’ season crashing and burning. There were about a dozen Oakley-related chants Friday when the Knicks gave up 131 points to Denver.
Oakley said he won’t fault Dolan for the 22-33 record.
“Blame the players,’’ Oakley said. “I hate to talk about it. It’s fundamentals. They don’t have fundamentals. They don’t matter. It’s a different game. I accept it. They give away the money, you don’t turn it down.”
Oakley said he will survive not being able to go inside the arena.
“As long as I can come to New York, get out of the plane, walk the streets, go places I want to go,’’ Oakley said on the radio Saturday. “There’s a lot of things in New York to do. I can’t be way mad because that’s how he feels, but I’m going to be me. Say whatever you say, as long as you don’t touch me, I’m good.
“It’s been so overwhelming, the people in New York. That’s why they call New York, New York — because they care about things and know real situations. My love for the fans, it’s mouth-dropping.”