Rockets Sign Oakley to 10-Day Contract HOUSTON (AP) -- Charles Oakley signed a 10-day contract with the Houston Rockets on Thursday, giving coach Jeff Van Gundy another player from his New York Knicks days. The 40-year-old power forward hasn't played all season, but that did not deter Van Gundy. "I know him; I trust him," Van Gundy said. "He knows how hard you have to play to win in this league." Oakley, 6-foot-9 and 245 pounds, hopes to toughen the Rockets in their drive for the playoffs. "Every team needs to let the other team know that no matter what happened with the score they are not going to be a pushover," he said. "I'm coming here to bring some energy and extra power."
When you count on a 40-year-old to bring energy, you have a problem. And Oak the great quote machine has arrived in town.
"Every team needs to let the other team know that no matter what happened with the score they are not going to be a pushover," he said. "I'm coming here to bring some energy and extra power."
i actually love this pick up...i dont care how old he is,,,his mentality is what makes him a good player to add for our playoff push think about it when other teams tactics to play hard and physical with yao, we let them do that, we let them push him, grab him etc...now we have someone who wants to go push them back and let them know we can also be physical...you think if oakley was there, jake voskal would be throwing yao around,,,,,i dont ive been a big fan of oakley for a long time, and he is at one of his lowest weights as a player,,,,i discounted weatherspoon at first but look what happened it also says something that almost all of the JVG knick players, all come back and have nothing to say but good things about him and are attracted to his mentality,,only our back court needs to buy his system and we could be a real threat
I don't care how old he is. At least he has the balls to say it. The Rockets were actually a soft team . What Steve did to Amare was uncalled for, but he showed alot of guts and he showed Van Gundy that his team is indeed soft when his point guard has to step up and do what Yao and Cato should have been doing all along. As long as Oak Tree come in and play 15 minutes per game and lay some lumber on whoever think they can push us over, I'm all for it.
How many championships has Oakley won? Oh, wait...thats right ....NONE !!! I don't like him, never have never will. I don't think he has anything left. DD
I agree. I watched him in Raptors' uniform two years ago. He was tough and consistant. And I also think he's very smart and has high bball IQ. He made double-double consitantly, very good rebounder and nice mid-range jumper. He also knows to push the right button at the right time, whether to irritate the opponent or fire up teammates. He openly criticized VC's softness during playoff round again Knicks, and VC responded with big games. They beated Knicks and just a buzz-beater short to beat AI in 7th game. Although other young talented players made the game, but he set the tone. The only concern will be his age, but a 10-day contract doesn't hurt, right? We all see MJ can still pass, although he can not play the full game, he's a nice backup and complement. I believe so will be Oak.
I don't want any of them on the Rockets either...what was your point again? DD Well, maybe just Stockton
I guess he meant that not all the good players won championships before. Even if he had 6 rings, guess you still won't like him.
I don't like it either, so we agree here, DD. Doesn't anyone remember how many times the guy has been vilified here for his actions on the court and in the locker room? So we're supposed to be happy we got our own thug? Hell, at least you would think we'd get a thug a few years younger. I'll be happy to be proven wrong, but I think JVG went to the "old veteran Knick" well one too many times. edit: I disagree about Charles, though.
I am just a little curious: how would he help when other teams try to beat up Yao? Just walk over and initiate a fight? or do the same thing to them on the defensive end? The key is how refs call the game. Right now, they are letting other teams do pretty much whatever they want to beat up Yao, but not allow Rockets to play same physical game on defense.
I know Stockton is hated here, but I have to admit that he's really a great PG, the best. I would love to see him in Rockets' uniform if he's younger.
If you know Oakley, you know that he doesn't disrupt chemistry till he's played almost a full season with a team. Seriously, check out his history. So since we have between 24 and 52 games to go, I think we may be safe. We don't need him to do much on the court, just push people around and talk a lot from the bench or in practice.
One of the serious deficiencies this team has is "energy" off the bench. At 40 I am not sure how much energy Oak has, but I am sure he will give 100% on the floor at all times. It wont be for lack of effort. We didn't think we would get much from Spoon and his play has been very helpful at times. We are about to go on 11 of the next 16 games on the road and anything to spark this team during that stretch. I am all for. Who knows if Oak will be a positive addition, but probably worth a try.
