"Tracy and I never had to worry about anything" - Vince Carter says Charles Oakley was always ready to scrap
Vince Carter regards Charles Oakley as the most influential mentor he had during his formative years in the NBA. Reflecting on his rookie season with the Toronto Raptors, Vinsanity expressed deep gratitude for the invaluable lessons Oakley taught him. However, what stood out the most for Carter was Oakley's unwavering support and protection.
Carter recalled that whenever tensions flared on the court, Oak was always ready to step in and defend him. This dynamic provided Carter with peace of mind and allowed him to concentrate on his game.
"The one thing I'll say about Oak is that Tracy [McGrady] and I never had to worry about anything," Carter told Yahoo Sports in 2019. "You get in a little altercation, shoving match, talking; you didn't have to ask Oakley to be there. He would be there. He taught us how to play the game, how to be tough, respect the game and don't take no junk from nobody."
Oakley did the same for MJ
Throughout his NBA career, Oakley earned a reputation as one of the toughest competitors in the league. He was not just known for his physical style of play, but also for his remarkable commitment to protecting his teammates from the league's most aggressive and dirtiest players.
Before being there for Carter, Oak, who played for the Chicago Bulls, had already taken on the crucial role of defending Michael Jordan, especially against those who aimed to hurt him during games. In the process, Oakley and Jordan developed a strong bond. Their relationship extended beyond the court and in fact, Oakley made it a point to be there for MJ when things got out of hand off the court.
The towering center ensured that Jordan was safe whenever they were together. According to Gilbert Arenas, there was even one time when Washington Wizards big man Kwame Brown wanted to beat Jordan up, but he got scared because Oakley was there.
"We in Chicago... you know, his nemesis is Jordan, but his real nemesis is Oakley 'cause Oakley scared the s**t out of him," Arenas once shared. "I remember we sitting at the bar, and Kwame's like, 'Yeah, I'mma f**k him up, I'mma whoop his a** now. He by himself... Bartender! Shots! Give me five.' Jordan come, 'Hey h*e. What your a** doing here h*e?' All you see was Kwame take them, hit them shots. He seen it, and he was like, 'Oh, he trying to get some courage, huh?'"
"Jordan said, 'Oakley downstairs,' that's all MJ said. Whatever that liquor was gonna do, the name Oakley reversed that s**t," Arenas added.
The last NBA enforcer
Oakley played 19 seasons in the NBA. All throughout his playing years, he carried a tough guy persona that left a lasting impact on both his teammates and rivals.
Even when his career was over, Oak still embodied toughness. In fact, he takes pride in relentlessly fighting with players whom he believed were deserving of some beating.
However, Oakley's legacy is not solely defined by his physicality and toughness on the court but also by the deep connections he formed with his teammates. For Carter and Jordan, Oak was more than just a fierce competitor. His dedication to both the game and ensuring his teammates were safe made him a true NBA enforcer.This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
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