Fans of American basketball enjoy watching fighters on the court. It’s attractive for them to watch dedicated players in NBA and Big3. One playing figure was very well known to the spectators in the basketball circles in the USA. It was Charles Oakley, one of the greatest rebounders in the history of the NBA.
Charles influenced so many players with his personality and attitude. His toughness during NBA days is remembered clearly in the heads of basketball fanatics. This story will display his roots and how his career was going over the years. You will enjoy it, for sure.
How did Charles start his professional career?
Oakley was picked with the 9th overall pick in the 1985 NBA Draft. The club that has chosen him was Cleveland Cavaliers. Draft rights were transferred right away to Chicago Bulls. Charles provided another offensive and defensive option for the Bulls. Chicago’s leader at that time was of course Michael Jordan.
Charles Oakley had the best performance regarding points scored in 1986. This player scored 35 points in a fixture against Milwaukee Bucks. Chicago lost that game with 125-116. He was included in NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1986. Oakley had another great performance in 1987 when 25 points and 15 rebounds were on his account.
What was his next step in his professional career?
Bulls sent Oakley to New York in 1988 due to the arrival of Horace Grant. Charles was included in New York’s roster which included Patrick Ewing, John Starks, Antony Mason, and Mark Jackson. Oakley had participated in the first lineup 107 times in the 1994 season.
In the summer of 1994, the hero of our paragraphs scored 12 points and 7 assists in a victory over Indiana. This player had 11 points and 11.9 rebounds on his account per game in seven games final of NBA in 1994, New York eventually lost the final against Houston.
Where did Charles continue his career?
Charles continued to play for New York until 1998. In the last season, Oakley scored the highest number of rebounds in a game in the 1997/1998 season – 22. The Knicks were defeated in that fixture against Charlotte Hornets. New York had many successes in clashes in NBA in that period and regularly appeared in a playoff.
However, New York didn’t clinch the big final game anymore during Oakley’s engagement in their squad. He established himself as an expert in playing defense and a recognizable rebounder during his contract with Knicks.
What was his next station on NBA road?
Oakley was included in the exchange between New York and Toronto in 1998. Charles was sent to Toronto, while Marcus Camby went in the opposite direction. Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady were young stars on Toronto’s roster and Charles Oakley was adding experience with his arrival.
This player made 6 rebounds and it was his career-high individual performance in that category. Hero of our paragraphs scored 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists in that fixture in 2001. The Raptors, a Canadian team, decide to transfer him in the same year.
Where did Charles go after Toronto’s experience?
Charles Oakley was traded to the Chicago Bulls and became their player one more time. Oakley was in exchange which included Brian Skinner. Charles averaged 3.8 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. This player started 36 games in the first lineup. Overall, he participated in 57 games for the Bulls.
However, his second time in Chicago lasted only one season. His contract was not extended. Charles agreed with Washington in 2002 as a free agent. Oakley had one more opportunity to play alongside legendary Michael Jordan. Charles Oakley took part in 42 games in that season and had 1.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1 assist per game.
What happened with Oakley after Washington’s experience?
Charles agreed with Houston Rockets in March of 2014. Houston and Oakley made a 10-day contract and the hero of our paragraphs played seven fixtures for the Rockets. Charles Oakley scored 1.3 points, made 0.7 rebounds, and 0.3 assists per game. He waited until the end of that season to retire officially from 5×5 basketball.
There were stories that Charles wanted to made comeback to the most prestigious national basketball league in the world. That eventually didn’t happen. Oakley retired as a forty-year-old.
What was Oakley’s style during his playing career?
Charles had enormous strength and impulsiveness on the court. Many opponents were afraid of him because of these characteristics. Oakley represented teams with a lot of intensity in his moving. Rebounds were a segment of play where he was dominant. Here are some of his best moves in NBA:
Charles Oakley is ranked 18th in all-time players with the most played games in NBA. This player is 21st in the list of players with the highest number of rebounds in the history of the American National League. Our hero’s focus and versatility during games are remembered by all fans. His personality was highly respected among teammates and opponents.
Did Charles have any controversy during his career?
Oakley visited in the 2017 fixture between New York Knicks and LA Clippers in Madison Square Garden, home of the Knicks. Team New York said in their report that Charles screamed at James L. Dolan, executive chairman of Madison Square Garden arena. Charles Oakley refused to admit that he had done it.
There is also a rumor that this ex-NBA player punched one of the security guards in the face. The hero of our paragraphs claimed that he was asked to leave the arena without a particular reason. Later, Oakley and Dolan apologized for their actions.
Has Charles Oakley participated in Big3?
Charles was appointed as coach of Killer 3s, a Big3 team, in 2017. Legendary ex-player took charge of this club in an attempt to bring them the title in the first season of Fireball. Killer 3’s finished last in the Big3 standings with a score of 2-6. It was a disappointing result in Oakley’s debut season.
In the second season, there was an improvement in this squad. They ended the season with a 3-5 score and took fifth place.
Did Charles continue his Big3 road in Killer 3’s?
Yes, Oakley stayed coach of Killer 3’s for the third season. Killer 3’s improved a lot and they ended the regular season with 5 wins and 3 losses. This team was second in the standings. Oakley’s team beat Power in the semifinal of a playoff with 50-42. Killer 3’s were defeated in the final against Triplets with 50-39. It was a tremendous result for Charles in charge of this Big3 team.
His team finished the fourth season with a 5-3 score and took fourth place. They didn’t qualify for the playoff, unfortunately. Finally, Killer 3’s came into the fifth season with big ambitions. Oakley was aiming for the title, as usual. Killer 3’s ended the season with five victories and three defeats. It was enough for fifth place and not sufficient for best 4. Charles suffered another devastation in his title hunt.
Charles is a remarkable figure in the 5×5 and 3×3 basketball world. Oakley has proved that fact so many times in the past. After a successful NBA career, this player decided to leave a trace and make history in Big3. A really brave move by the hero of our story.
Charles Oakley maybe looks like a fierce person at first sight. On the other hand, he is a collaborative and team-oriented personality. We can learn so much from him.
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