New York Knicks icon Charles Oakley will lace them up once again, 13 years after his retirement from the NBA, to take on the undefeated Trilogy (7-0) in the regular-season finale come Sunday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
The big man will switch places with captain Chauncey Billups, who will trade the sneakers for the clipboard and take on coaching duties for the last game.
Oakley played 19 seasons in the league, memorably as a part of Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls of the 80s; but made his stamp in the league during his 10 years with the New York Knicks. The rugged rebounder also had stints with the Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards, and Houston Rockets before calling it a career.
Oakley is known as one of the toughest and most feared players in the history of the league, a symbol of intensity and competitiveness on the hardwood.
The 6-foot-9 forward will take the court alongside Player of the Week Stephen Jackson, and the league’s leading rebounder Reggie Evans in efforts to upset the trio of Kenyon Martin, Al Harrington and No. 1 overall pick Rashad McCants — who ranks fourth in the league in scoring.
Tickets will be for sale at the league’s website and all four games will air Monday, Aug. 14 at 8 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.