Charles Oakley rips apart New York Knicks management and Isiah Thomas – NBA Update
Former NBA player Charles Oakley minced no words when he was questioned about New York Knicks management and Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas in an interview recently.
Oakley, who is currently an assistant coach with the Charlotte Bobcats, played for the New York Knicks during the Patrick Ewing era of the 90’s. The former power forward laid into the Knicks management for poor decisions in the
last decade and held them responsible for the downturn of fortunes at the storied franchise.
He also criticized the current setup of the Knicks, showing a complete lack of faith in head coach Mike D’Antoni and questioned why Patrick Ewing never got the job.
“They don't like Patrick, either. They won't give Patrick a job, so I know they won't give me a job. Patrick should have a job before anyone. He's probably the best guy since [Walt] Frazier, [Earl] Monroe ... he's the main guy
on the list." Oakley said, while talking to the New York Post.
Patrick Ewing is a legendary former NBA star who played centre for the Knicks in the 1990’s. He was regarded as one of the best centres of that era and New York built a powerful team around the player, who was a major force in
the league for many years.
Despite his links with the franchise, the Knicks have never considered bringing him back to New York in any capacity, and it is not that Ewing is not into coaching. He serves as an assistant coach currently with the Orlando Magic.
Oakley was an integral part of the Knicks team that catapulted to prominence and he too has never really been an apple of the Knicks eye since retirement. And that doesn’t please him at all.
"[The Knicks] don't want nothing to do with me. I don't know why. I tried to deal with them on several occasions. I'm not gonna keep trying.”
However, the Knicks management does have a soft corner for Isiah Thomas.
Thomas is a legendary player, who starred for the Detroit Pistons and led them to multiple NBA Championships. Despite his rivalry with the Knicks back in the day, he was given the reigns of the franchise for many years, and his
tenure proved to be the darkest in Knicks history.
Now widely regarded as one of the worst executives in NBA history, Thomas is out of a job, but rumoured to still maintain influence in the Knicks front office. Charles Oakley didn’t like him back in his playing days and has only
got more revolting after his debacle with the Knicks,
“I don’t understand how he even got a job with management. He had nothing to do with the Knicks, then he talked bad about the Knicks ... If I see him, he’d better turn around and go the other way.” He said.
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