Oakley said. "Yao doesn't have to worry about Shaq (O'Neal) no more."

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/printstory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/rox/2456766

March 19, 2004, 1:45AM
Oakley brings beef to Rockets
By MEGAN MANFULL
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle
RESOURCES

Yao Ming pulled Patrick Ewing aside at Thursday's practice. He wanted to be sure that was actually Charles Oakley in the Rockets' practice jersey. Yao was told that Oakley signed a 10-day contract with the Rockets, but the former New York Knicks forward looked thinner than Yao remembered.

Yao had followed Oakley when he played for New York. Well, not just "play."

"More fighting than playing," Yao said smiling.

Oakley, 40, may be trimmed down, but he made it clear that some things haven't changed since Yao watched him during the peak of his career.

"All (Yao) needs to know is he's got a good man beside him," Oakley said. "He doesn't have to worry about Shaq (O'Neal) no more."

Injuries at power forward necessitated Oakley's signing with the Rockets, but his attitude and demeanor was what made him most attractive. The Rockets had been talking with him since the start of the season, but the talks became serious this week because of the Rockets need for immediate help at power forward.

After only one practice, Oakley will be dressed and ready to play tonight at Golden State. The 6-9, 245-pound forward is even likely to see playing time. On Thursday, Kelvin Cato was placed on the injured list with a left sprained shoulder. Clarence Weatherspoon said he is "working toward" being able to play after missing two games with a left calf strain. And Maurice Taylor said he plans to play after missing a game with strained ribs.

"We got caught shorthanded the other night," said Jeff Van Gundy, who coached Oakley for four seasons in New York. "Cato's hurt, too. So we needed another big guy. I know him. I trust him. He knows who he is and how hard you have to play to win in this league."

Oakley hasn't donned an NBA uniform since playing for the Washington Wizards last season, but his 18-year career has been packed with success. He is 17th in NBA history in rebounding after collecting 12,200 with Chicago, New York, Toronto and Washington.

Oakley also adds toughness. Van Gundy has joked that Yao needed to elbow an opponent in the face and not be so hospitable in the lane.

"Jeff is no fool," said Mark Jackson, who played in New York with Oakley for four seasons. "He reached back and got one of the toughest, if not the toughest guy to play this game. (He's) war-tested. And I think it's a very different environment when a guy drives a lane, realizing that he could get popped.

"Nothing dirty, just good old-fashioned basketball. That's something that we need to learn."

Oakley is the third player whom Van Gundy coached in New York to join the Rockets since December when they traded for Weatherspoon. In January, they signed Jackson as a free agent. Before the season, Van Gundy named former Knicks standout Ewing as an assistant coach.

"It's a Knicks reunion, but we don't have no barbecue," Oakley said. "We've been to a lot of playoffs. I think the fans of Houston want to see their team get back to the playoffs and do what they did in the '94, '95 days."

The Rockets will evaluate Oakley over the next 10 days and decide if they will sign him for the remainder of the season.

"When he was in his prime, he was the best frontcourt team defender in the NBA," Van Gundy said. "So obviously, time has marched on, but he can still do that effectively in the NBA. (At) his peak, there was no better help defender."


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Rockets summary
So long ago
Among the Rockets, Cuttino Mobley is the only one who has donned a Rockets jersey in the playoffs. But don't expect him to be telling stories about the franchise's last postseason appearance. Mobley says he doesn't remember it.

"Do you remember stuff when you were 2 years old?" Mobley said. "No, seriously. I'm just asking. Does anybody remember anything from when you were 2? No you don't. I don't remember that. The only thing I remember is Shaq (O'Neal) blocking my shot. I don't remember playing. I remember nothing. So this will be special. This will be like my first playoff."

The appearance came five years ago during Mobley's rookie season. The Rockets lost in four games to the Lakers, and Mobley started each game, and averaged seven points and 2.8 assists. He led the Rockets with a 3-point percentage of 57.1.

"I don't remember it," Mobley said. "It's crazy. Five years. I seriously don't remember."

Watching Heat
Jeff Van Gundy had high hopes for his brother, Stan, when he was named coach of the Miami Heat.

But Jeff knew Stan had a tough job ahead of him in his first season, especially when the Heat opened with seven losses.

That's why Jeff cannot help but boast when anyone mentions his brother's name these days. Despite their horrible start and a number of obstacles along the way, the Heat have persevered. Now, with only a handful of games remaining, they are a playoff contender.

The Heat (31-37) are in a four-team race with Boston, Philadelphia and Toronto for the final spot in the Eastern Conference. The Heat are tied for the seventh spot, but No. 9 Boston only trails by a half game.

"There's so many great coaches in this league, but objectively, if you were to tell me that the team that left here 0-7 would have 31 wins right now -- with Dwyane Wade being out what 25 of those -- I'd have said, no way," Jeff Van Gundy said. "I don't know if they'll make it, but to even be in the hunt is a remarkable accomplishment. I think the players there and the management, Stan and the coaches deserve a lot of credit. I think they've done a heck of a job. Really, a great job."

Shooting for 16
The Rockets could make history tonight with a victory against the Warriors. Golden State has lost 15 consecutive games to the Rockets in Oakland, dating back to April 2, 1996.

If Houston stretches the streak to 16, it will be the first franchise to ever win so many consecutive road games against one team.

The Rockets aren't focused on that particular goal, however, but winning is on their minds. They have 11 of their next 16 games on the road, and the Rockets want to erase their humiliating loss to Phoenix at home.

Golden State is on a two-game winning streak, which includes a 17-point victory against San Antonio on Monday.

"We're going to have to play well to win," coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "Golden State has won its last two handedly.

"Again, it's about how we play. And I have to expect Golden State is going to play well, and we're going to have to play well to win."

-- MEGAN MANFULL

 

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