http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/bulls_story.asp?intID=3708623 Could newest Bull Oakley bring along a friend? By Mike McGraw Daily Herald Sports Writer Posted on July 14, 2001 Charles Oakley spent the first day of his second stint with the Bulls driving from Richmond, Va., to Atlanta, where he'll participate in Kenny Anderson's celebrity fashion show and basketball game this weekend. That's not all he was doing. According to business manager Billy Diamond, Oakley planned to phone former Toronto teammate Alvin Williams and try to recruit him to join the Bulls. The Bulls don't seem optimistic they'll sign the Raptors' free-agent point guard, who visited Chicago last week. Williams has told interested teams that he enjoyed playing for Toronto coach Lenny Wilkens last season. The hangup with Williams' return to Toronto is said to be the number of years in his contract. The Raptors agreed to a seven-year, $40 million deal with power forward Jerome Williams on Thursday. Perhaps Alvin Williams is looking for the same commitment. Williams' agent, Bill Strickland, tried to promote competition by insisting the Raptors are not close to an agreement with the 26-year-old Philadelphia native. Atlanta is said to be in the running, but can only offer the $4.5 million exception. The Bulls have about $5 million remaining under the salary cap. On Friday morning, the Bulls' formally announced the trade to acquire Oakley. In addition to the 37-year-old power forward, the Bulls will receive a 2002 second-round draft pick from Toronto. The Raptors get power forward Brian Skinner, obtained by the Bulls from the Clippers in the draft night trade of Elton Brand. "When we got the news Thursday night, I said, 'What do you think?' And he said, 'It's cool,'æ" Diamond reported. "When (Toronto GM) Glen Grunwald asked Charles a few weeks if there were any teams he'd like to be traded to, Charles said, 'I don't really care. Just trade me.' "He was prepared to go to the Lakers or the Bulls. We really thought on draft day that (Wizards president) Michael Jordan was going to pull the move. I'm not sure why that didn't happen." Oakley has been a favorite of Bulls general manager Jerry Krause since 1985, when the Bulls obtained Oakley in a draft-night trade. He was dealt to New York in 1988 for Bill Cartwright. A photo of Oakley in a Bulls uniform still hangs in Krause's office at the Berto Center. The Bulls feel Oakley will be an ideal role model for 18-year-old rookies Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry. "When I spoke to him, I said, 'Welcome home, buddy,'æ" Krause said. "I really like the guy as a person. I can't think of a better tutor than Oak. He's not afraid to call guys out. If you don't hustle, he'll bust you upside the head, as they say." A veteran point guard is now the Bulls' most pressing need. If Williams does not sign, Miami's Tim Hardaway and Portland's Greg Anthony are possibilities. The Bulls have inquired about San Antonio's Avery Johnson, but he appears headed to Denver. Lower-priced free agents like Utah's Jacque Vaughn and Philadelphia's Kevin Ollie have also been linked to the Bulls. So long, Luc? Former Bulls center Luc Longley might be forced to retire before next season because of a degenerative condition in his left ankle. The injury caused Longley, 32, to miss New York's final 39 games last year. "I'm being a realist," Longley told the New York Times. "I don't know what we're going to do, but I don't think I can really play. I've seen the best specialists in the country and they've told me that I shouldn't play. But I don't want to burn any bridges. If the Knicks want me back despite my physical problems, then I'll be back." Show them the money: Several NBA first-round draft picks have signed contracts, including No. 1 choice Kwame Brown with Washington. But look for the Bulls to wait a few weeks before signing any of their four draft picks to conserve the space under the salary cap. ... Even though the Bulls have told Corey Benjamin and Dragan Tarlac they will not be invited back next season, the team has not officially renounced any of its free agents. Fred Hoiberg, Bryce Drew and Steve Goodrich are the others. Free-agent fodder: Several reports had Orlando agreeing to terms with center Patrick Ewing. Unable to clear the cap room to land Chris Webber or Antonio Davis, the Magic is hoping to split its $4.5 million exception between Ewing and Horace Grant. Look for Orlando to save money to make another run at San Antonio's Tim Duncan when his contract expires in two years. ... Doug Christie has reportedly agreed on a seven-year, $48 million deal to remain in Sacramento. ... Webber's choices appear to be between staying in Sacramento and signing with Detroit, though a trade to Indiana remains a remote possibility. That is the funniest thing I have ever heard. LMAO ------------------ The bets not over. ------------------ Now that I have hit a 200 post count I fill my life has to come to a plateau. Oh well.
Yeah, something tells me that Oakley isn't the best role-model . . . HOWEVER, Oakley could be a very positive influence there by coming in, takin' names and kickin' a$$. Just like he did last year with Vince Carter. He could really get this team to step up and win 10 games! ------------------ I'm looking for a job, so hire me "And I just have to smile and say 'well, I hope so' while I'm really thinking inside how I'd like to just strangle them and take their job."
LOL.That has to be the funniest thing i've heard in a LONG TIME. I think all they need is Ruben Patterson and Anthony Mason to be "good role models" for Artest and Curry. ------------------ __ Ñ _ _ _ /_ ______ _ \ ÝÝÝÝl____| * |___ lÝÝÝÝ ¡,.-ñý¯Ç ¡,.-ñ~ñ~ñ-.,¡ `¯ýñ-.,
He must know something...MJ wanted him to tutor Kwame... In any case, he's a vet, knows the position and the league inside and out, and is one of the hardest workers in the league. Thats the kind of "role modeling" he'll do for the kids... ------------------
If MJ wanted him, why isn't he on the Wizards right now? Still, I'm sure Oakley could teach those guys some valuable lessons like : "Bad Jumpshooting 101 : Why banging in the post is for losers" "Media Relations : How to call out a fellow teammate for poor performance in the playoffs, right after turning in a poor performance yourself, without looking like a raging hypocrite" "Finance 302 : Why Illegal betting and usury are not bad things" "Personal Relations 406 : When all else fails, violence will solve anything" ------------------ It was the time of the preacher, in the year of '01 Now the preachin' is over, and the lessons begun . . .
Two thumbs up to the Bulls! Getting Oak is the BEST thing that has happened to Chi-Town in a few years! ------------------
I notice it says Bryce Drew is a free agent. Would he be available for the minimum as a third point guard? ------------------ What's a Nubian?
LOL.That has to be the funniest thing i've heard in a LONG TIME. I think all they need is Ruben Patterson and Anthony Mason to be "good role models" for Artest and Curry. Speaking of our good friend Anthony Mason, he's in trouble for allegedly assaulting a woman. I guess "Mace in the face" isn't just a cute term for Mason's defense in NY anymore is it? ------------------ "Instruments are like women: After a while, you want to make love to another." - Nicolas Godin of the musical duo Air
Two thumbs up to the Bulls! Getting Oak is the BEST thing that has happened to Chi-Town in a few years! That speaks volumes of the Chicago Bulls. ------------------ "Instruments are like women: After a while, you want to make love to another." - Nicolas Godin of the musical duo Air
I'd think that he'd be a great role model while actualy on the court, and therefore I'd imagine in practice. He's just not the kind of guy you want your people emulating off of the court. He's also a guy that at least attempts to bring some leadership. Like Krause said, he's not afraid to speak his mind despite any possible concequences. His frequent bad-mouthing of Raptors management comes to mind as an example. You have to be able to seperate the guy's worth on the court from the guys worth off of the court. It's the same conflict you see with guys like Barry Bonds: great teammate, bad person. I do think Cato could stand a bit of emulating Oakley, however. ------------------
All I know is that Curry and Chandler better not borrow any money from his ugly ass. ------------------
Man, gettingbranded has agreed with something I said.... I feel dirty.... Out, damned spot, out, I say! Yet who would have thought the old bull to have had so much blood in it? Ugh... ------------------
I think Oakley is past being able to play well enough to really serve as a "role model." From what I saw of him in the playoffs this last season, he still has the desire and the will, but his body is starting to fail him. He didn't defend as well as I remembered him in the past, and he made some bad decisions along with missing on wide open layup, further embarassing himself. And things are certainly not going to get better with age for this guy. I predict this next season on the Bulls will be Oakley's last. ------------------ Rockets need power forward. Mo near now. Go near Mo. You can Run from the bet, you can Rave at the bet...but you just can't hide. [This message has been edited by Raven Lunatic (edited July 15, 2001).]
