Yes, he is a veteran amongst a team full of toddlers.  That alone is worth acquiring someone like Charles Oakley.  But why else would the Bulls acquire someone who readily speaks out about anything that is on his mind?  The answer is simple.. Oakley is a realist who will not back down from anyone, including the NBA themselves.  For instance, check out this quote from the Oak:  "It's a hype game, all about marketing.  I don't think fans get their money's worth. It's talk. I'm 37 and playing 35 minutes a night. The league is garbage. A lot of guys do the pretty things. Dunking, tattoos, earrings, sagging jeans. That's the league now. They have athletic ability, but they don't know the game. And you look at a guy making $100 million who looks like the next guy walking down the street. You don't have to do everything right, but at least look professional."

Strong words.. Then Oakley says something else that makes you smile if you are a Bulls fan.  "I'm not a high jumper, but you don't see guys intimidating me or posting me up," the 6-foot-9-inch Oakley says. "I've got too much heart and pride for the game. You have to find people with dignity for the game."  Who else would you want as a mentor for High Schoolers Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler if you were Jerry Krause?