Retired NBA player Charles Oakley is quite familiar with rumored New York Knicks head coach candidates Patrick Ewing and Jeff Van Gundy. The now 56-year-old former rugged enforcer, after all, were former teammates with Ewing and played under Van Gundy during his 10-year tenure with the ‘Bockers.

However, Oakley refused to vouch for either of them when it comes to the possibility of assuming the keys to the Big Apple, claiming both are not fit to lead the dysfunctional Knicks back to relevance.

Oak, who remains as unspoken and forthright as he was during his playing days, bared that Van Gundy's style of coaching is not suitable to the Knicks' current personnel. He also questioned if his old methods will be effective in today's fast-paced and spread-out game.

“With these guys, a Jeff-type coach?,” Charles Oakley said, per Ryan Morick of SNY.TV. “If I know Jeff correctly – and I played for him and know how he coached – I think it would be tough to come back and coach young guys. “What he believes in for his offense and defense in this day and age, it's totally different.”

The 6-foot-8 slotman did not have much love for his former frontcourt buddy, Ewing, either. Oakley accused the NBA Hall of Famer of being “high maintenance,” which could be quite problematic for the disenchanted franchise.

“I don't deal with Patrick,” Oakley said. “He was one of the most difficult guys I've played with. I played with Patrick 10 years. He should know me. I should know him. It was a hard 10 years because he's not easy to play with. High maintenance.”

Jeff Van Gundy and Patrick Ewing have both found success after their respective stints with the Knicks. The former has transitioned well into broadcasting, while the latter has been coaching the Georgetown Hoyas since 2017.

The Knicks, meanwhile, last saw the postseason in 2013. They held a 21-45 record prior to the NBA's season suspension. Nonetheless, big changes are expected in the Garden next campaign following the signing of Leon Rose as President of Basketball Operations.