i doubt they will be signed next year...it kind of a sign that the roster gonna be redone to jvg type of players.
Reminds me of a story from a few years ago: Apparently, Tyrone Hill and Oakley had made some type of bet or something and Hill lost, but wouldn't pay up. During a shoot around when HIll's team was playing Oakley's, Oakley walked across the court and proceeded to give Hill a knuckle sandwich that he will never forget.
Sorry if this has all ready been asked, but I didn't feel like scanning 5 pages of posts. If Oakley did come in and have a positive impact and the team wanted to put him on the playoff roster, they couldn't right? Hasn't the deadline passed at which a player must be on your roster in order to be eligible for the playoff roster? If the Rockets faced the Lakers in the playoffs, I'm sure they could use the mummy's 6 fouls against Shaq if Oakley is eligible.
The deadline doesn't apply to when the player was SIGNED, but to when the player was WAIVED. Oak was waived loooooong before the 1st of March, so he would be eligible for the playoffs.
Correction- the fact that Jackson, Weatherspoon, and Oakley all played for NY is important only because JVG knows them and feels they will be worthwhile additions. Otherwise, if we were to combine all the cities that our players have been in besides Houston, we'd have to call them the LosAngelesClevelandMiamiSacramentoPhiladelphiaPortlandNewYorkUtahTorontoChicagoAtlantaRockets. Or something like that. Hey, that's a good one, from Padgett- the Utah Rockets. That'll go over real well with most of the posters on this board.
Just read to story in the Chronicle wherein JVG states that Oakley "knows how hard you have to play to win in this league." That, my friends, is one of the major reasons for bringing a 40 y/o relic on board. A dose of tough, grizzled, veteran leadership cannot hurt this bunch. It's a matter of maturation, consistent smart play (our major challenge), and "bringing it" every game, every play. More substance - less flash and showboating. D R
So, the way to win a championship is to sign up all of the old broken down ex-Knick players you can find. Wait until the other teams in the West hear about this - it should be easy to beat them now because they'll be doubled over with laughter at the sight of the NY Rockets.
if they are going to sign oakley, surely Ewing could suit up and play PF next to Yao And while we are at it why not sign Starks as a replacement for all the SF haters......
I do not understand why people are complaining about the latest addiiton in Charles Oakley. I don't see how he is going to hurt the team. He already knows JVG and his system so thats a big positive. He plays hard without backing down and that is a big positive again. He is not the best rebounder and best mid-range jump shooting PF but that is not why JVG brought him to Rockets. When I play at Gregory gym in UT against /with old veterans, I give them immediate respect. They do not have assets that I have in youth but I respect their knowledge and love for the game. When I play with old veterans, my game changes that I look for more passes and listen to what they have to say. I also realize that there are less trash talking and show boating around them. I dont know how much this is related to NBA but JVG brought in respect with old veterans.
Man I miss playing at Gregory. You have no idea what it was like playing there before they rebuilt it.
1. Despite what you guys think of Oakley, we essentially got him for free. Worst case, he will just sit their alongside Ewing and be another coach. 2. JVG has done wonders thus far with his pickups (mark jackson/spoon). This guy knows Oakley better than any of us, he knows what the Rox need better than any of us, and the results effect him more than any of us. So lets give him some credit and give his decision the benefit of the doubt. Great move JVG! I think even if Oak doesnt contribute much on the floor, his presence will make us tougher.
It is a good day in Austin for ballers to have a facility like Gregory. 3 - 5 Full courts till 1am and very competitive games also. If I have to pick the best feature in Austin, I have to go with Gregory. : )
Excellent acquisition. Charles Oakley is a valued asset - I hope he pummels whomever tries to bully or showboat against Yao. With the Lakers (Fantastic Four) at full strength, this will give us sufficient inside power and toughness to counter Karl Malone. Thrown him down, Oak, thrown him down. Oakley's presence will also give us a legitimate shot at winning 50 games and going deep in the postseason. I hope Oakley will be around for THE BIG BROADCAST OF 2006 - THE ROCKETS 3RD NBA CHAMPIONSHIP. Does anyone know what number he'll wear (He's worn #34 for most of his career, and well, that's Hakeem's number!)
I love it! I saw Oakley Tuesday night in town and he looked great. Better than Cato and Taylor looked coming into camp. You know I do not expect him to be a rebound machine or an offensive gem, but the guy can at least provide us with some muscle , grab some rebs and give us a variation in the paint. Let's face it Maurice is a major liability on the rebounding end of the game, he leaps with one arm and has problems consistently rebounding and is apt to get injured. Oakley is worth a shot, more than some of the NBDL or other slugs out there.....no risk here either.....Mark Jackson was supposedly a locker room cancer too.... And I hope he signs some other exNYers too.....anything that might help us...at least we are not sitting back thinking everything is rosey...
bring on Mason and grandma too....Larry Johnson...lets freakin scare some points out of teams....they would take heat off ming for sure...
I was hoping that this wouldn't happen. This may not be as bad as getting Pippen back, but there are few players I dislike as much as Oakley. I can only hope and pray that he won't stay around too long. I like the team less already.
That's what we need a good stabilizing force. Fist fights among teammates will only help right? Let's get as many players that hate each other and can't get along on the team. I hate this deal.
