Oakley said. "Yao doesn't have to worry about Shaq (O'Neal) no more."

"When he was in his prime, he was the best frontcourt team defender in the NBA," Van Gundy said. "So obviously, time has marched on, but he can still do that effectively in the NBA. (At) his peak, there was no better help defender."

How dare JVG say that? Oakley's prime was at the same time as Hakeem's prime. Hakeem was a better one-on-one AND a better help defender than Oakley ever was.

 

Eh, I don't know. Maybe it's my Rocket red colored glasses but I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. At least until he says or does something stupid.

I took these comments to mean that he's making it known that he's got Yao's back, which is a good thing. I didn't really see any deeper meaning.

 

My thoughts exactly, seems like Ming is doing just fine, thank you. The last two games, Shaq has looked really befuddled. I think Ming is nearing a break out mental state. He could become unstoppable.

 

im hoping you today on national television he makes his entrance back in the nba with an elbow, bodyslam, or even a shove...welcome home

one thing though without him doing anything on the court,,,ppl will think twice just bc hes on the floor

 

Maybe his inability to recognize this fact contributed to his team losing in the Finals.

 

Cato would go for blocks and change players' shots
Oakley will go for necks and change players lives *CRACK*

Rocket Rivers

 

Quite agree, the greatness of Shaq is overlooked by too many.

 

do we have any more games against Phoenix? I would LOVE to see Amare try to dunk on Oakley.

 

or better yet, see what Oakley does to Amare after Amare dunks on him and parades around the court.

 

Well he's on our team now so whatever. I think he'll be a fan favorite after he throws the first retaliatory albow. We'll see...

The Barkley effect.

 

The Rox could use a little toughness but how much gas does Oakley have left in his tank?

Oakley's not going to play a lot of minutes and unless JVG is going to send him out there to specifically deliver a hard foul on a particular opponent every now and then I wonder how much he will contribute.

Of course I thought the same thing about Weatherspoon so I'll give Oakley the benefit of the doubt.

 

I hate to say it...but I like this little 10 day. Oakley will be there to rebound and push people around. He is good at what he does and he is tough. He is not there to be an all star just a banger and hustler. He will get enough opportunities off of put backs when he plays. If it works great...if not nothing lost. I never liked the guy, but if he is wearing a Rockets jersey I have to pull for him.

 

That ass is a flagrant 2 waiting to happen...

 

3-28-2000: LAL 108 - WAS 94 > Oakley DNP
11-8-2002: LAL 99 - WAS 100 > Oakley & Shaq DNP
2-6-2002: LAL 89 - CHI 97 > Oakley & Shaq DNP
1-12-2002: LAL 104 - CHI 106 > Shaq 19-10 / Oakley 6-8
3-7-2001: LAL 97 - TOR 85 > Shaq 25 - 10 / Oakley 4-10
12-17-2000: LAL 104 - TOR 100 > 28-8 / Oakley 12-18
12-19-1999: LAL 94 - TOR 88 > Shaq 24-15 / Oakley 1-14
11-21-1999: LAL 102 - TOR 111 > Shaq 37-19 / Oakley 5-6
1998-99 LAL & TOR DNP (Strike)
3-1-1998: LAL 89 - NYK 101 > Shaq 19-7 / Oakley 6-9
11-7-1997: LAL 99 - NYK 94 > Shaq 17-8 / Oakley 8-9

Is it just me or do Oakley's numbers look a little "Cato-esque"?

 

So, in your view a goon is a bad goon unless he's our goon? Then, no matter what he does, who he hurts, it's OK because he's doing it for our side? And that makes it right?

 

A couple of days ago, I hated Oakley. I've hated him throughout his entire career, in fact.

But for better or worse, he's a Rocket now, so I love the guy. If only John Stockton hadn't retired... I bet Big Chuck could knock that '50s haircut right off of him.

 

Yes.

 

I may eat crap for this later, but I think we're gonna win a bunch of games. The playoffs could get more interesting. Is there going to be turmoil? I doubt it. Will it get tougher down low? I hope so. This is interesting. It's like we hired a pirate.

NYC is great

 

Mm... I wonder what happened.