http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2467019 Charles Oakley says the priorities are getting mixed up in basketball. Players are no longer evaluated on specific skills, attributes or the way they fit into certain roles, he says. The focus, Oakley says, is on money, and the amount a player makes determines expectations for production. "I wasn't a great player, but I knew my role," said Oakley. "And I knew my job. And I think that's what guys today don't know. They are paying guys a lot of money, but just because you're paying them money doesn't mean you're going to win." Oakley went on to talk about how quality players need support around them -- on and off the court -- in order to win. He used Toronto's Vince Carter as an example. Oakley played for the Raptors during Carter's first three seasons in the league. The Raptors haven't been in the playoffs since Oakley's final season with them in 2000-01. "I think with a guy like Vince, you've got to have some other guys who know how to play the game -- not just guys on the court," Oakley said. "You've got to play without the ball. I think when I was there, we did that. We didn't try to score a lot of points. People always said, `You wanted a lot of money, but you didn't score a lot of points.' "I know guys making the max and scoring nine or 10 points. Money is not the point. It's what you do for your team and what you bring to your team. But people have the game confused right now. They think it's just money. But it's not just money."
I think he means positions like McGrady is in. So much tallent with one guy, but noone else around to support him.
Oakley just needs to shut his mouth.? He got one thing right...Hes not a great player and only greats can open his trap as much as he does. You're 40 years old! Just do whats asked of you by JVG. This guy might be around longer than we think. I met Kelvin Cato last night after the game. My friend and I had VIP parking and we ran into Cato while he was getting in his Rolls Royce. After we asked to get a picture with him, I asked "How's the shoulder man?" He said is a very solemn voice, " the shoulder's messed up right now man." You could tell that it was killing him not to be on the floor. He was leaving literally 20 minutes after the game had ended. But back to Oakley, this guy better not be stirring up any trouble. We could have another chapter to the Yao Book! haha
Mo T - rebound and give it to Yao. Box out, seal, enforce. Score only is loser ball. Dirty work is earning it.
I am NOT bashing Yao, but until he starts to produce every game this team is going to have an identity crisis. Back in the day, every player knew that Hakeem would be the MAN every night so there was never any real thought of being the MAN. Once Yao becomes the consistent player he is going to be, I think that you will see everything else fall into place. Luckily, we are well on our way to that point this year. I hope that the playoffs will be the corner we can turn wherein we start to play the way all of us want. Oh yeah, Oakley needs to shut his piehole.
I do not completely agree with Oak. Money matters to me because of salary cap issues every NBA team have to deal with. If player "A" or "K" is occupying the bulk of your cap money, he is responsible of accounting for a certain range of production to justify his earning bracket. My point is that Oak premise is full of loop holes. This is why I still did not support resigning Posey for the money he wanted - instead we got JJ and Pike for similar money combined with flexibility of early serverance.
Not only that, but when Oak-tree was younger, he had to walk 6 miles, barefoot, to practice, in the snow, uphill, both ways. Can somebody shut him up already, or else at least remind me why we decided to sign Grandpa Simpson?
Has anyone one ever been a member of a team for a shorter period of time and had more to say than this guy? What a dork...
