Q & A: Charles Oakley

Sporting News, The, Feb 15, 1999

After the 1997-98 season, the Knicks decided to get younger, so they traded 35-year-old Charles Oakley to the Raptors for 25-year-old Marcus Camby, who led the league in blocked shots last season. So far, the Raptors are getting the best of the deal. Oakley continues to do the dirty work in the paint; Camby had played only six minutes entering this week. TSN correspondent Craig Daniels caught up with Oakley to talk about the trade, the Knicks and being a Raptor.

TSN: Have you kept in touch with your former teammates in New York?

Oakley: Not really. I'll see them when we play them. Personally, the way I see it, I guess (Knicks G.M.) Ernie Grunfeld and (CEO) David Checketts made the trade. I'll let them lose their sleep at night. I get my sleep.... I don't think Jeff Van Gundy made the trade. I worked hard for him over the years, and he knows what it takes. When you're an elite team, you need some guys who can do the dirty work, who don't need the ball a lot. The Knicks thought I couldn't play any more. Now, with me gone, they want Patrick to rebound more often, but I don't think he can rebound more. His body can't take it. If you can't do it at 25, you can't do it at 35. They're going to break him down by asking him to do more.

Q: Do you look at the box scores to see how Camby is doing?

A: I haven't even looked ... I haven't had time. It's not really personal. Camby wasn't a great scorer (with Toronto). He was a shot blocker who blocked shots from behind. I'm not taking anything away from him. He might have talent, but he might be better off on the West Coast. New York is a halfcourt team. You've got to be able to hit the jumper. You've got to be able to bang ... that might hurt them this year. They don't have anybody who can bang.

Q: How much longer will you play?

A: I'll try to play two or three more years. This league is all about respect. I still get tested. But I let them know I'm here to stay.

Q: With Toronto?

A: We'll see how it goes. If they're interested in me, we can talk.

Q: How does it feel being a leader of a young team?

A: I think being on a young team, they don't really know (what it takes) to win, not yet. Even though we beat Boston (last week), there are still some things we need to work on. Executing is a big one. Another is when we have a lead, sometimes our guys would go down and take quick shots, (instead of being patient). We have to stick with the game plan.

TSN's Power Poll

Rk.  Team             W-L   Comment

 1.  Indiana          1-0   So far, the Pacers look good on the
                              boards.
 2.  San Antonio      2-0   It looks as if Elliott has finally
                              recovered from his injuries.
 3,  Atlanta          2-0   Lenny finally has the depth to win the
                              big games.
 4.  Utah             1-0   The offseason circus hasn't affected
                              Malone's game.
 5,  Philadelphia     2-0   Ratliff is the heart and soul of the
                              team.
 6.  Seattle          1-0   Polynice might be the answer in the
                              middle.
 7.  L.A. Lakers      1-0   This could be Harris' last chance to
                              win a title in L.A.
 8.  Houston          1-1   Barkley is playing like the MVP of
                              1993.
 9.  Detroit          1-0   Stackhouse has been strong coming off
                              the bench.
10.  Portland         0-0   It signed Jackson. Does that mean Rider
                              is gone?
11.  Phoenix          1-0   Googs is better than McDyess on the
                              boards.
12.  Minnesota        1-1   It needs a better performance from the
                              bench.
13.  Miami            0-1   Lenard is out. Majerle is now the man
                             at the off-guard spot.
14.  Milwaukee        1-0   Brandon is already having problems with
                              Karl.
15.  Boston           1-1   It needs a center in the worst way.
16.  Washington       1-1   Strickland, not Richmond, is the team's
                              best player.
17.  Orlando          1-1   'Nique is no longer the "human highlight
                              film."
18.  New Jersey       0-1   Gill hasn't been the same since Van Horn
                              was drafted.
19.  New York         0-1   It needs a player like Oakley to do the
                              dirty work in the paint.
20.  Cleveland        0-2   Kemp still looks out of shape.
21.  Vancouver        0-0   It hopes Parks can do the job at power
                              forward.
22.  Toronto          1-1   Willis has been a terror on the boards.
23.  Sacramento       0-1   Will Webber ever be happy in northern
                              California?
24.  Charlotte        0-2   Without Mason, the Hornets could be
                              worse than the Clippers.
25.  Dallas           0-1   Nelson says Nowitzki will be Rookie of
                              Year. Yeah, right!
26.  Denver           0-1   Turnovers are killing this team.
27.  Golden State     0-1   Can Marshall be effective in a backup
                              role?
28.  Chicago          0-1   At least Kukoc is playing like a
                              champion.
29.  L.A. Clippers    0-1   In Douglas, the Clippers finally have a
                              solid point guard.