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http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/bulls_story.asp?intID=3708623


Could newest Bull Oakley bring along a friend?

By Mike McGraw
Daily Herald Sports Writer
Posted on July 14, 2001


Charles Oakley spent the first day of his second stint with the Bulls driving from Richmond, Va., to Atlanta, where he'll participate in Kenny Anderson's celebrity fashion show and basketball game this weekend.

That's not all he was doing.

According to business manager Billy Diamond, Oakley planned to phone former Toronto teammate Alvin Williams and try to recruit him to join the Bulls.

The Bulls don't seem optimistic they'll sign the Raptors' free-agent point guard, who visited Chicago last week. Williams has told interested teams that he enjoyed playing for Toronto coach Lenny Wilkens last season.

The hangup with Williams' return to Toronto is said to be the number of years in his contract. The Raptors agreed to a seven-year, $40 million deal with power forward Jerome Williams on Thursday. Perhaps Alvin Williams is looking for the same commitment.

Williams' agent, Bill Strickland, tried to promote competition by insisting the Raptors are not close to an agreement with the 26-year-old Philadelphia native. Atlanta is said to be in the running, but can only offer the $4.5 million exception. The Bulls have about $5 million remaining under the salary cap.

On Friday morning, the Bulls' formally announced the trade to acquire Oakley. In addition to the 37-year-old power forward, the Bulls will receive a 2002 second-round draft pick from Toronto. The Raptors get power forward Brian Skinner, obtained by the Bulls from the Clippers in the draft night trade of Elton Brand.

"When we got the news Thursday night, I said, 'What do you think?' And he said, 'It's cool,'æ" Diamond reported. "When (Toronto GM) Glen Grunwald asked Charles a few weeks if there were any teams he'd like to be traded to, Charles said, 'I don't really care. Just trade me.'

"He was prepared to go to the Lakers or the Bulls. We really thought on draft day that (Wizards president) Michael Jordan was going to pull the move. I'm not sure why that didn't happen."

Oakley has been a favorite of Bulls general manager Jerry Krause since 1985, when the Bulls obtained Oakley in a draft-night trade. He was dealt to New York in 1988 for Bill Cartwright. A photo of Oakley in a Bulls uniform still hangs in Krause's office at the Berto Center.

The Bulls feel Oakley will be an ideal role model for 18-year-old rookies Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry.

"When I spoke to him, I said, 'Welcome home, buddy,'æ" Krause said. "I really like the guy as a person. I can't think of a better tutor than Oak. He's not afraid to call guys out. If you don't hustle, he'll bust you upside the head, as they say."

A veteran point guard is now the Bulls' most pressing need. If Williams does not sign, Miami's Tim Hardaway and Portland's Greg Anthony are possibilities. The Bulls have inquired about San Antonio's Avery Johnson, but he appears headed to Denver. Lower-priced free agents like Utah's Jacque Vaughn and Philadelphia's Kevin Ollie have also been linked to the Bulls.

So long, Luc? Former Bulls center Luc Longley might be forced to retire before next season because of a degenerative condition in his left ankle. The injury caused Longley, 32, to miss New York's final 39 games last year.

"I'm being a realist," Longley told the New York Times. "I don't know what we're going to do, but I don't think I can really play. I've seen the best specialists in the country and they've told me that I shouldn't play. But I don't want to burn any bridges. If the Knicks want me back despite my physical problems, then I'll be back."

Show them the money: Several NBA first-round draft picks have signed contracts, including No. 1 choice Kwame Brown with Washington. But look for the Bulls to wait a few weeks before signing any of their four draft picks to conserve the space under the salary cap. ... Even though the Bulls have told Corey Benjamin and Dragan Tarlac they will not be invited back next season, the team has not officially renounced any of its free agents. Fred Hoiberg, Bryce Drew and Steve Goodrich are the others.

Free-agent fodder: Several reports had Orlando agreeing to terms with center Patrick Ewing. Unable to clear the cap room to land Chris Webber or Antonio Davis, the Magic is hoping to split its $4.5 million exception between Ewing and Horace Grant. Look for Orlando to save money to make another run at San Antonio's Tim Duncan when his contract expires in two years. ...

Doug Christie has reportedly agreed on a seven-year, $48 million deal to remain in Sacramento. ... Webber's choices appear to be between staying in Sacramento and signing with Detroit, though a trade to Indiana remains a remote possibility.

That is the funniest thing I have ever heard.

LMAO



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The bets not over.




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Now that I have hit a 200 post count I fill my life has to come to a plateau.

Oh well.