Let's just see how this plays out. Oakley understands what JVG is trying to get accomplished and probably will give him more respect to him than the coaches in Chicago and Washington. I bet he could have helped us out in that Suns game. He would have hacked Amare to death. If Oak comes to play, I give this move a thumbs up.
I LIKE THIS PICK UP, I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY SOME PEOPLE ARE UPSET. IF MOE IS GONNA BE OUT, WE NEED A TOUGH DEFENDER. HOPEFULLY SPOON COMES BACK AND FOCUSES ON PUTTING UP SOME POINTS. HE'S DONE WELL RACKING UP SOME POINTS OFF THE BENCH. I DONT THINK WE HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE WITH PICKING UP COAK. I LIKE IT, AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL SHOW IN THE PLAYOFFS.
This is OBVIOUSLY a reaction to Steve's pathetic attempt at being an enforcer. If Yao isn't going to throw a bow to clear some space, Oakley will.
agbee, why do you have to be a dick? francis was lookin out for his boy, it was a kneejerk reaction and shows solidarity. hating is blind, no?
f he's in shape and can hit the 15-footer the way he used to, then I'm all for it. Unfortunately, when he was last in the NBA, he was not in shape and could not hit the 15-footer anymore. I hope he's changed that. You know, when you get to the last 20 games or so, you run a bit low on energy and excitement, so maybe JVG just wanted someone to scream and push people around in practice. It's not a bad signing, I just wonder who's minutes are going to dwindle now. Yao/Cato MoT/Weatherspoon/Oakley It's looking more and more like either Weatherspoon or Mo were hurt seriously, and we NEEDED this.
Ha! I used to love those GrandMaMa commercials. I agree that Oakley will at least bring a tough-minded attitude to the team. But the reason I'm really not that keen on him is the same reason I wouldn't want Karl Malone on the team, 'cause I think they're both dirty players. Remember the Barkley/Oakley fight? Oakley grabbed/picked up Charles from behind while Charles was looking to get an offensive rebound, and slammed him to the ground, earning a 3 game suspension, and Charles getting 1, or 2 for coming back at him(IIRC). At least when Charles did it to Shaq, he was facing him. I just don't like dirty players period. I'd rather win cleanly, or not at all. And it's not just being a lockeroom distraction/cancer. Remember when he was in Toronto how he called out Vince publicly? I know a lot of *Rocket* fans wouldn't mind seeing him do that with Stevie, but what if he called out Yao publicly for being soft, or not being a double-digit rebounder, or high volume shot-blocker blocker at 7'6'', or hard-fouling someone that dunks on him(like Amare). Whether it would be deserved or not, I'm not sure how Yao would take it. Hopefully, JVG will at least tell him to keep his criticisms confined to the lockeroom.
Oakley has never been a locker room distrucation, and he didn't have any Finals experience with the Bulls. But, I don't like this pick up. The Rockets just lowed themselves down a level by doing this. The guy has nothing left, Rodman would be a better pick-up than him!
chill out. it's not like having one extra player is going to kill the team. geez. it's not like he has the ebola. it's not like we had to cut anyone to pick him up. there's waaay too much speculation going on. what if JVG is just trying to fill the roster to have some more options? what if oakley's here on a short contract and the only plan is for him to get like 8 minutes a game. how could that hurt us?
If he can still shoot the mid-range jumper, this could be a great addition. As much as I've hated the guy I'd love to be known as one of the toughest teams in the league. And if he completely sucks it up, no big deal...he sits the bench and is gone after the season. I do hope that neither Mo nor Spoon is done for the season though. That would be the big downside to this.
If you ask me, it is Cato's minutes that will shrink and perhaps Spoons. Mo still has value on the offensive end but with Cato's lack of offense and not being able to move around quickly enough on defense that is killing the team and killing his minutes. Cato will still start, but once he comes out after the 1st and 3rd quarters, we might not see him back in the game!
is it just me or does anyone else think that LJ has STRIKING similarities with MoT? They're almost the same player.
fyi: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/2454883 Doesn't seem to be too serious if they are both practicing and if there's discussion that they'll be able to play on Friday but who knows.
This is the key right here, and I have to think he can still hit this shot, considering Oak has always shot with his arms and wrist. The guy has never used legs in his J so his age should not have adversely affected his shot. Combine that with his ability to bang inside and provide tough, smart interior defense, you've got a winning trade, IMO. Imagine what teams will do when they sag off the PF and to double Yao, and Oak puts in automatic jumpers that look like layups to him. Our entire offense will open up.
In 3 years when the team is truly built around Yao and Yao is comfortable at leading, we will sign Ewing and let him ride Yao's jock for a ring. Maybe we should also sign Chuck at that time for the same reason.
i think he might have something close to ebola....this dude will destroy any team chemistry we thought we had I can see it know ....locker room split between houston rockets and houston knicks
