http://www.nypost.com/sports/2890.htm <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Tall Oak Ex-Knick Charles Oakley, our favorite hoopster, tells us he's already been contacted by two of his old coaches, Jeff Van Gundy in Houston and Pat Riley in Miami, about coming on board, but the free agent is sitting back and waiting to see what develops in the way of hooking on with a championship-caliber club. Oakley is in great shape after working with his pal Bruce Smith. He said he's tired of playing the role of team dad and wants to pick up Ws instead of changing the diapers of young stars. </div> He could teach Eddie Griffen a thing or two.
Neither team is near championship calibur though, so it probably won't happen. Dallas could use a tough banger though.
Oakley would be great for the Rockets. He would help sell Jeff Van Gundy's philosphy to the younger players and would give them an intimidator to play inside with Yao Ming. Some of Oakley's nastiness might actually rub off on Yao Ming.
That's the thing. Oak may have slowed down a step or two but his competitive fires are still burning hot and bright. Any team lacking toughness would benefit from the Oak. Dallas would be the Texas team that leaps to mind when thinking of where Oak could be useful. At the same time his tendency to run his mouth might not sit well with Cuban and Co. It would be nice to have Oak back in Toronto but barring that it?ll be nice to just have him playing on a good team that doesn?t need him to score but could use him to scare.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Oakley would be great for the Rockets. He would help sell Jeff Van Gundy's philosphy to the younger players and would give them an intimidator to play inside with Yao Ming. Some of Oakley's nastiness might actually rub off on Yao Ming.</div> I completly agree. Oakley is exactly what Houston needs. We need someone who will stand in the lane and hit sombody. Yao needs to get tougher and Oakley can definelty teach him that and help touchen him up in practices. Oakley would also give the Rockets some nice depth at the PF/C position in case someone gets injured. Ming, Oakley, Cato, Griffin and Taylor will make one deep front line for the Rockets.
Oak is not good for younger players, and who knows if he would like Yao enough to want to be his bodyguard? The Oak tree has died, so since he can't help out on the court anymore, I am not too sure adding this guy can help. I love reading his comments after games (mostly because he is very negative and humorous with it). That is not a good mix with these young guys that love nothing but positive attention.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">Oak is not good for younger players, and who knows if he would like Yao enough to want to be his bodyguard? The Oak tree has died, so since he can't help out on the court anymore, I am not too sure adding this guy can help. I love reading his comments after games (mostly because he is very negative and humorous with it. That is not a good mix with these young guys that love nothing but positive attention.</div> I would agree Oakley is not good for young players in most situations. However, Oakley has a lot of respect for Jeff Van Gundy, and will be less likely to run his mouth. I'm sure before they bring in Oakley they will need to see how the chemistry is with Oakley and Yao, and also Oakley and Francis.
You have to give it to the guy. No matter how much bad press he gets about being a pain in the ass or about being unintelligible, people love him. He?s ripped into Toronto fans for not knowing the game and just cheering blindly and yet you?ll still see people wearing a Raptor jersey bearing the mark of the Oak in the GTA. Someone with that much presence and impact could be a difference maker for the right team. Question is, is Houston that team?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">I would agree Oakley is not good for young players in most situations. However, Oakley has a lot of respect for Jeff Van Gundy, and will be less likely to run his mouth. I'm sure before they bring in Oakley they will need to see how the chemistry is with Oakley and Yao, and also Oakley and Francis.</div> He better work on his communication, because he only has another year or 2 more in the league, and I am not sure that any GM/coach would want a loser (I would have used a four letter word, but I stick to the guidlines)
