Oakley Say He Can Help Magic

Charles Oakley, who played 19 years in the NBA as a bruising power forward before retiring in 2004, said Tuesday he could help the Orlando Magic develop some much-needed toughness if they add him to the roster for this season.

Oakley, 43, said he could fill the need for a veteran frontcourt player behind Dwight Howard and Tony Battie.

"Orlando has a good young team with a bright future -- I like Dwight Howard -- but I could help them develop some heart and some toughness," he said Tuesday on his cell phone from Las Vegas, where he was watching the USA Basketball team and conducting personal workouts. "I'm available. And I'm in shape, better shape than most of the guys in the league today."

Oakley has joined a growing list of retired players who have expressed an interest in rejoining the league after watching Kevin Willis last season, who returned to the Houston Rockets at age 44.

Already this summer, Reggie Miller and Allan Houston have talked about returning. And the Miami Heat have signed Penny Hardaway, who has missed much of the past two seasons.

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source : orlandosentinel.com