Charles Oakley
Charles Oakley ( born December 18, 1963 in Cleveland, Ohio, United States ) is a former American professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards and Houston Rockets in the NBA. The 2.06 meter tall Oakley played the position of power forward and was known for his tough defense work " Oak " called ( The Oak ).
Career
Oakley was hired by the Chicago Bulls in 9th position in the NBA Draft 1985. There he held the young Michael Jordan free back to where he maintains a close friendship to this day. Oakley has established itself as a tough defender and rebounder strong, who scored 13 points and 13 rebounds per game. After his first year as a pro, he was appointed team in the NBA All - Rookie. Together with Jordan and the added later winger Scottie Pippen they reached three times the NBA playoffs, but failed always early. Since the Bulls with Horace Grant and his two good power forwards, but no strong center had, Oakley was given in 1989 to the New York Knicks for center Bill Cartwright.
In New York, was Oakley water carrier of center Patrick Ewing and was together with similarly tough players like Xavier McDaniel, Greg Anthony, Anthony Mason and Charlie Ward part of a Knicks team that twice the Eastern Conference Finals and even the NBA Finals (1994 ) reached, where they lost in seven games against the Houston Rockets. Oakley, who was always good for 11 points and 12 rebounds per game, became with its figure-hugging way to defend a crowd favorite. In 1994 he was elected after a strong season in the All- Star team and the All- Defense team's best defender. In 1998, the now 35 -year-old Oakley has been transferred for power forward Marcus Camby to the Raptors, where he freely gave Toronto Star Vince Carter back. In the autumn of his career Oakley played one year each at the Bulls, the Wizards and the Rockets before he stopped playing after 1282 at the age of 40 years. For the season 2010/2011 he became an assistant coach with the Charlotte Bobcats.
Oakley was known throughout his career for several personal feuds. With Charles Barkley occurred both on and off the field brawls, and once lost Tyrone Hill from the Philadelphia 76ers in the dice game, a total of 54,000 U.S. dollars to him, but refused to pay: Oakley threatened him until Hill the sum plus "interest" of 54,000 U.S. dollars paid again.
Private life
Oakley holds a degree in business administration.