Two former Knicks eye comeback

[Andrew]

Seems a couple of other retired players are finding it difficult to stay away from the game.

At 43, Oakley wants to play again

Charles Oakley is so old that he calls Dikembe Mutombo "Junior." As a matter of fact, Oakley is so old that he broke into the league two years before Knicks rookie Wilson Chandler was born.

But the rugged power forward who played against Isiah Thomas and with Eddy Curry is serious about making a comeback. The 43-year-old, one of the most beloved players ever to wear a Knicks uniform, believes there are plenty of teams that could use his toughness, leadership and defense.

He specifically mentioned the Knicks, Nets, Cavs and Mavs. "Look at how bad Cleveland was in the NBA Finals," said Oakley, proving his tongue is still as sharp as his elbows. "They had big guys who couldn't move and can't shoot. They never knocked Tony Parker on his butt.

"I'm not saying I'm better than guys who play every day. But I can play 20 minutes a night. I understand the game. I can shoot, make free throws and defend. A lot of teams don't have a general on the floor. I'm not trying to steal from anybody. Give me a tryout and if you don't think I can do it, then just cut me."

Allan Houston: Eyes Comeback

Houston is reportedly eyeing a comeback, with Boston, Phoenix, Miami and San Antonio as possible destinations, according to ESPN.com.

Of all the players who are supposedly being approached by teams and/or mulling a comeback, it seems Oakley is the keenest since he's insisting he can still play. I suppose only Oak himself really knows how fit and healthy he feels but all the same I'm not sure he'd be seeing 20 minutes a night. But if he's serious about a comeback and someone's willing to give him a chance, more power to him. It's not as though he's going to be a huge financial risk. With Kevin Willis seeing some time with the Mavericks last season and Anfernee Hardaway back in the league, perhaps we'll see a few more players considering comeback attempts.

[Sauru]

for what oakley does, i have no doubt he can still play. its like when all the rumors of rodman coming back came about, i thought then, and still do think, that he could do what he does. being down low helps a guy like oakley where a guy like reggie made a career on running. i would gladly take oak on my team, cant say enough how much having an enforcer on your team helps

[Fitzy]

gee, charles oakley could be by dad

[Dan's Brain]

for what oakley does, i have no doubt he can still play.

And like Rodman, you're not going to get any offense from him any more anyway. You might as well just sit him under the basket on the defensive end and wait for the other team to come back down the floor. He wouldnt have to run.

Oak is my favourite Knick of all time, which isnt saying much, but i have no doubt that he could knock Tony Parker on his arse, and in that sense i wouldnt mind seeing him in a mentor role for Tyrus and Joakim Noah. He'd have to go to an eastern conference contender.

As for Allan Houston, no. Wont work. Although it is more likely than Reggie Miller.

[Lean]

I'd want to see Houston play again, like he just popped out of the NBA when he left.

[killer_cr0ss0ver]

talking about comebacks, what happened to kemp?

[shadowgrin]

He weighs 245 pounds, which is five pounds less than his usual playing weight.

I wonder whether that's the result of smoking weed or staying away from it.

Oakley is one of the most vocal players in admitting weed use when playing.

[McDwyane]

In case they will come back,I wish good luck to them.

[grusom]

gee, charles oakley could be by dad

Maybe he is

[NovU]

he wanna come back for wut?
to punch somebody?

[Silas]

Only you my friend.

I'd love to see a comeback from these guys. None of them will be an unusually effective player, but they will entertain and they will lead, I hope.

[Patr1ck]

Funny how Allen Houston picks potential championship contenders where he can just spot up and shoot J's.

[skip2mahbaby]

I love watching H20 during his preinjury days...His J's were just smooth.

And with OAK, I think he can still play, bang bodies, do the dirty work whichever team he plays on. Of course, you won't be expecting scoring from him. Leadership, and toughness.

I want LJ back...

[Anthony15]

he wanna come back for wut?
to punch somebody?

he'll only beat the shit out of you.

Its pointless for players to come back 40+ yrs of age, the game will look much quicker to them, and I don't want to see Oakley or Houston attempt a shot and not able to stretch their back after it.

[shadowgrin]

Robert Parish.

[el badman]

Robert Parish.

He's too busy beating his wife.

[NovU]

i dunno about oakley but i think allan houston will be fine. he'll be like steve smith near the end of his career, playing 10-15min a game. on the other hand, oakley is a lot older and was always a slow player who had relied on muscles, so oakley will eventually end up hurting the team if he chooses to come back now. and the last thing the league needs is more fights on court. fans already get that from ufc now days. the only tryout oakley should be given is for ufc or k-1 so he can punch someone who knows how to fight back.

[Silas]

Oh you know that's not fair. Oakley is twice the size of those ufc guys.

[Sauru]

even in thier 40's these guys are still better than most the guys in the nba.

[Joe']

^Agreed 100%. I'd love to see them both come back. I hope the Knicks sign both of them, I could not see either of them playing for another team.

gee, charles oakley could be by dad

You make it sound like he can't play because he could be the dad of a teenager (assuming you're a teenager).

[Andrew]

for what oakley does, i have no doubt he can still play.

And like Rodman, you're not going to get any offense from him any more anyway. You might as well just sit him under the basket on the defensive end and wait for the other team to come back down the floor. He wouldnt have to run.

Agreed, and for 10-20 minutes a game a team can use a defensive presence like that. Dikembe Mutombo is a long way past being a player who can give a team a double-double along with 3 or more blocks per game but he can still play upwards of 18-20 minutes a night, score a basket or two, block a few shots and grab some rebounds. Oakley is older (assuming Mutombo is as old as he's listed as being) but he could realistically fill a similar role.

talking about comebacks, what happened to kemp?

Supposedly there was a very realistic chance of him making a comeback as he'd shed the weight and seemed to be in good shape, but a couple of drug charges led to teams losing interest in bringing him to training camp. He also blew off a couple of workouts with teams who subsequently lost interest in him.

[maceo24]

Kemp was always a head case. I wouldnt take him anyway, IMO. A houston comeback would really excite me, He's a solid shooter and is a perfect fit for the phoenix style of play.

[zmac]

If Houston signs with Cavs I will probably cream.

[Fitzy]

^Agreed 100%. I'd love to see them both come back. I hope the Knicks sign both of them, I could not see either of them playing for another team.

gee, charles oakley could be by dad

You make it sound like he can't play because he could be the dad of a teenager (assuming you're a teenager).

it was sarcastic

[McDwyane]

It's been a long time now..Will they still comeback?