Charles Oakley was one of the most physical players in the NBA in the 1990s. He received his share of ejections, fines, and suspensions, but even that didn't force him to change his ways.
One such incident for the New York Knicks bruiser happened in 1997. This was during the New York Knicks vs. Vancouver/ Memphis Grizzlies matchup. The incident occurred in the fourth quarter when Oakley hit Otis Thorpe in the face.
The 9th overall pick of the 1984 Draft retaliated by throwing an elbow to the Virginia Union product. Oakley was thrown out and would later be singled out as the instigator of the skirmish for his "punching foul." Thorpe didn't get off the hook for his retaliation since he was fined $3,500.
Bad Boy Oakley
The suspension was the third one for Charles in three seasons. He threw a punch at Scott Williams of the Philadelphia 76ers in 1995 that forced him to miss the season-opener and a fine of $6,000. In 1996, he was suspended for two games for throwing Charles Barkley to the floor. He also drew a $10,000 fine for that incident.
Despite those sanctions, which included the 6-foot-9 forward losing money, Oakley hardly changed his ways. It was how he played, emphasizing that he plays hard and will not adjust just because other players cannot take it.
"I play hard every night and some guys don't like to play physical every night and that is my game. I'm not going to lower my game because the next guy is soft," Oakley said after the Thorpe incident via the New York Times .
Controversial as he may have been, there is no denying that Oakley was a defensive player that any team loved to have. Players who got to play alongside him were aware of this, and they most dreaded having Charles on an opposing team.
Oakley's role in Jordan's evolution
As most know, the 10th overall pick of the 1985 Draft started his career with the Chicago Bulls. He had the chance to play alongside Michael Jordan, someone who loved Oak for his defensive capabilities. When Oakley was traded to the Knicks in 1988, the move allegedly upset MJ. His former teammate would make life tougher for him when he drives to the basket, forcing him to find other ways to score.
Hence from a slasher who loved to take it inside, Jordan started working on his jump shot . It was necessary considering Michael knew what was coming if Oakley would end up guarding him if he tried to go hard to the basket.
That added outside artillery would benefit Jordan in his rise to greatness. Oakley and other enforcers such as Dennis Rodman and John Starks factored into Michael's evolution, adjustments that made MJ one of the players who was tough to stop.
Related: “The league made a change because they went more global” - Charles Oakley thinks the increase in European players is to blame for the lack of physicality in the NBA
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