Oakley will show all the dirt stuff in NBA. But Ming will never learn it at all. Anyway, it will increase Ming's understand what's going on in NBA. Why so many poeple without skill or Basketballl IQ but muscle still can find a spot in NBA. And so many fans enjoy it. NBA = basketball + box!!!!! ( or gongfu)
I think Oakley will make the Rockets interior defense even tougher. I remember when he was with the Bulls and he and Brad Miller were all over Shaq and it was Oakley who gave a hard foul on Shaq and Shaq thought it was Miller and he runs after Miller trying to punch him. So Oakley definitely still have it.
Oakley is basically playing out the last few games of his career. This guy is going to doing some hurting on people. It's no longer his concern whether or not some big fines or suspensions come down the pike because his career is near completion. Van Gundy will probably pay him out his pocket anyway for the fines and suspension money.
What did I miss here? I didnt know Cato had any injury. They didn't just put Cato on the IR to make way for Oak did they!?
Problems of their own making I might add (see my earlier comments about the EG fiasco). This is where said fiasco starts to bite them on the arse. It's time to pay the proverbial piper - try to plug up the gaping hole at PF except that with Oakley, you are paying with fool's gold. If the dimwits running this organization had actually been competent enough to do their freaking jobs, you and I would not be having this conversation at all. But they didn't and now it has come down to this. I restate my question: If Oakley was any good - anywhere useful and desirable as a player, then why was he out of the league? Most importantly, why should WE want him if no one else does?
I didnt need to move to new York, new York done moved to Houston! what number will oakley play in? not 34.....
I don't understand how some of you, like this (scutmb) guy for example, can come on here and act like you know what you're talking about. I just heard TNT's Doug Collins, who was a well respected coach in the league, just say that "Oakley was a great pickup, and Oakley is the smartest player he has ever coached" Scutmb, just be a man and admit you were a fool to think that about Oakley.
So do not think you know what you are talking about before you figure out what I talking about. PLease!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111
I don't care who else did not want him. Anyways, that is speculation like the other poster said. We don't know which teams were interested and which teams were not. I just want you to admit, here and now, that the best option available out there was this one. That Oakley was the best option out there considering the circumstances the Rockets are in. Its just a safegaurd man. Our main two guys are still Taylor and Spoon. Cato's hurt for who knows how long so what do you do. You go out and pick up the best available guy out there. In my opinion, they did just that.
Well, for the record my "sense of credibility" means a great deal to me as does, I'm sure, yours. I'll admit that JVG was not my first choice to coach the Rockets. I had severe misgivings about his offensive philosophy coming out of the Eastern Conference and the Pat Riley school of basketball. I was concerned that he'd remake the Rockets into a newer version of his last Knicks team - which in the Western Conference would be akin to the kiss of death. But I resolved to give JVG a chance to show what he can do and I even supported most of what he's done or has tried to do. In essence, I started to believe that he was the right choice for this team. I continued to believe up until today - this move is one I simply cannot support nor accept because it is not just bad but WRONG. The fact that Oakley may only be around for only 10 days (which I don't believe for a second) is moot. I object to the message being delivered by this move. In essence, JVG is saying that this relic from another time is a better player than what we currently have on the roster. Now if that's the case, then why was Oakley on the street to begin with? If he's so GOOD, then why did all of the other teams pass on him? More importantly, what does this say about our so-called bench? If we have to go forage for 40 something players off the NBA trash heap, then what does this say about this organization's ability (or more accurately, INABILITY) to find and sign talent? You consider the fact that Dallas passed on Oakley to be irrelevant. Think again. It's no secret that the Mavericks are absolutely desperate for someone - ANYONE - to add some toughness, rebounding and "attitude" to what's basically a "finesse" team. In fact, they have been looking for this guy ever since they signed the Mantis: Shawn Bradley. Now if Oakley is what you all say, then Donnie Nelson & Cuban should have been after him like nobody's business. Oakley was there for the taking. Instead, he didn't even rate a phone call from the Mavericks - they considered him not worth pursuing - they consider him DONE. That alone should tell you all you need to know about what Oakley can do for this team - NOTHING. Now CD and JVG would have us believe that picking up a 40 year old relic with a bad reputation is just what this team needs to compete and win against the Western Conference. If anyone here is gullible to believe that then my brother-in-law in Florida has some very nice swampland in which you may want to consider investing.
i am just waiting for the first few games he plays in and if he does make a difference and is playing well I'll wait for all you bashers to start the "OMG Getting Oakley was INGENIOUS thread" and the comments on how surprising it was that no other team had picked him up and despite being 40 he is playing well. I swear even since Yao got to houston a lot of threads/posts here are just down right ridiculous and people are impatient. Note: I am not saying it would be better without Yao, I am damn happy that we have him but just making a point on the flood of new members. But honestly Oakley will not be playing like 30 minutes probably 20 or so at most and if he kept in shape even a 40 year old can play look at malone and willis. A good thing about Oakley was he never relied on athleticism which wanes in the later years for his game, he was just a plain blue collar worker who just hustled for everything and like people here said earlier could easily and consistently hit the 12-18ft jumper. And lastly not sure if anyone else remembers this from Shaq's earlier days when he was with the magic and Oak on NY, but there is one play where they both grabbed a rebound and Oak swung the ball towards himself and brought shaq down to the floor and he was standing there. Granted shaq was a lot smaller then, but he was still huge it told me a lot about the strength of Oak then and if he can bring that type of game every night for like 20 mins I'll be more than happy
If it's dirt against dirt, it's Ok to me. But problem is, I still remember How he did to Dream, a so classic guy.
Yes I'm sorry I misunderstood and was unclear. Ok the last thing we need are fist fights between teammates... The second to last thing we need, is a big goon going and getting in a fistfight with another team.
I think Bernard King might be available. The Rockets' are not getting ready for the playoffs, they are forming an "oldtimers" team. Do we play the Suns again; if so, I have a job for our new acquistion. When Amare goes up for the monster jam, Oakley can, well, you get the picture. Technical foul, priceless.
I don't know whats your deal HillBoy. You continue to reiterate "If he's so awesome how come no one wants him?" This arguement holds no water, you could say the same for Mark Jackson, or any CBA or NBDL player who has any success. The acquisition of Oakley makes the most sense, and I applaud CD for making this move. Think of the alternatives ... who would you bring in to stabilize the erratic nature at PF? Anyone you bring in, whether NBDL or whatever, youre talking about bringing in someone who is green and unknowing of the ways of the system, much less to the NBA. There's a trend to the teams that take risks on NBDL players. They are usually lottery teams trying to strike gold and find a diamond in the rough. It's hit or miss. However, with Oakley, you know youre fairly confident in what youre going to get. He's not going to push us over the top, but he will serve as a reliable defender in the paint and an able rebounder. Look at the big picture, we're a playoff team, there's no way we can risk bringing in a novice player or a greenhorn and expect them to play a role to the team. In conclusion, it makes total sense to bring in Oakley, a veteran to the NBA AND to JVG's system, and expect contributions to a playoff team. And if it doesn't happen? so what .. it's a 10 day contract to curb the concerns of our injuries at PF.
You could not answer my question about every other team passing on Oakley because the only answer is that Oakley had no value whatsoever. If this was the best option available, then the Rockets had NO option. As for the circumstances in which they now find themselves, it is the Rockets organization is responsible because 3 years ago they were stupid and stupid people/organizations ultimately must pay for that stupidity. The Rockets time to pay is now upon them. Best option indeed! Oakley is an aging thug with precious little ability left unless you want to implement a "flagrant foul" defensive strategy. Sometimes, you have to play the cards you are dealt and hope for the best. Oakley represents things I do not condone nor would ever support. No good can come from his presence on the team. Just remember, when you dance with the devil, the devil doesn't change - the devil changes you.
