OAKLEY IS A BELIEVER

Former Knick great and stalwart defensive leader of the Knicks 1990s era teams believes in the 2011-2012 Knicks and their chances to contend for a NBA Title.

It seems that Oak believes this version of the NY Knicks has more than what it takes to make a deep playoff run. The often critical former Knick has had a change of heart of late, citing the addition of Tyson Chandler as a main reason for his about face.

Oakley and Chandler were team-mates in 2001 while they both played for the Chicago Bulls. Oakley was a mentor to Chandler, leading just as much by actions as he did by words. You see, Oakley taught Chandler the importance of preparation and professionalism. He also sprinkled in a few tricks on patrolling the paint.

"It definitely impacted me," Chandler said. "I saw that he wasn't even playing that much, but every day he was in the weight room and on the treadmill. He was ready whenever Coach called on him."

Oakley believes in this team as much as he believes in Chandler. Oakley called the 7-foot-1 Chandler "a guy who can clog the middle, block shots and bring energy to the game."


This is of course welcome news to a team whose defensive and rebounding rankings were putrid, at best during the 2010-2011 campaign. They ranked 20th in rebounding and 26th in opponent field goal percentage last year. They allowed an average of 105.7 points per game -- the third-highest total in the league. Forty-five of those points were scored in the paint (fifth-highest in the league). They also were out-rebounded by 3.5 boards per game.


Heck, if Oakley believes in this team, who am I to doubt him?

Go Knicks! 

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/8258/oakley-knicks-can-contend-for-title