The Rockets signed power forward Charles Oakley to a 10-day contract today, which suggested to us that Maurice Taylor may be out longer than we thought. However one source indicated to ClutchFans that Taylor is about ready to go, but Kelvin Cato has some sort of shoulder problem right now.

But Oakley? The former rebounding demon, who is 40 years old going on 80, is more of a thug these days and has been known to cause locker room problems. Oakley last played with the Wizards, Bulls and Raptors, but made his name with the Knicks.

He's looking to be the enforcer for the Rockets.

"Every team needs to let the other team know that no matter what happened with the score they are not going to be a pushover," said Oakley. "I'm coming here to bring some energy and extra power."

There could be a method to the madness though. Van Gundy is familiar with Oakley having coached him, but more importantly Patrick Ewing is familiar with Oak's "older" game. Not only did Ewing play alongside Oakley for years, he also coached him last year in Washington, which means if the beefy power forward has anything left at this age, Ewing would know.

"I know (Oakley). I trust him," said Van Gundy. "He knows how hard you have to play to win in this league."

One source told ClutchFans that Oakley will wear #33, last worn by Eddie Griffin and previously by Scottie Pippen (not exactly a promising history), though it was worn by Otis Thorpe before that. Oakley has worn #34 for most of his career, but that number is a Rockets retired number (obviously) courtesy of Hakeem Olajuwon.

This is the third former Knick that Van Gundy has added in the last few months. He acquired Clarence Weatherspoon for Moochie Norris [report] after Christmas and signed Mark Jackson [report] in mid-January. This after bringing in all of his former Knicks staff as well as Ewing.