Mar. 18, 2004 - The Houston Rockets have signed forward Charles Oakley to a 10-day contract, general manager Carroll Dawson announced today. The 18-year veteran ranks 17th all-time in NBA history in rebounding, collecting 12,200 career rebounds with Chicago, New York, Toronto and Washington. In a related move, the Rockets placed forward Kelvin Cato on the injured list with left shoulder sprain.

In a recent game with Pheonix Suns, the Rocket All star guard Steve Francis received a technique foul after placing his forearm at the throat of Pehonix forward Amare Stoudemire. The latter also received a technique foul for shouting at Houston Center Yao Ming after finishing a dunk in front of Yao. Amare Stoudemire, who missed his first 9 field goals, finished with 24 points and 15 rebounds as the Suns snapped a three-game losing streak in Houston.

After the game, Jeff Van Gundy, Rocket coach, fraustrated by the loss, admitted that he had made several stupid decisions during the game. He, however, during a team practice, praised his All-star guard for his confrontation with Amare Stoudemire. He further commented that the current Rocket roster lacks gladiator, who loves tofight, literally, on the court.

To help his team going further in the play-offs, Jeff Van Gundy decided to sign free agent Charles Oakley, whois well known for throwing punchs at opponents in the league. Jeff Van Gundy believe that the addition of Oakley to the front court mate Yao Ming will intimidate all teams in the NBA.

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In the playoffs, Oakley holds career averages of 10.8 points and 10.0 rebounds in 144 games. He averaged a double-double in eight postseasons, including each of his first six trips to the playoffs. Oakley averaged 13.2 points and 11.7 rebounds in New York’s 1994 NBA Finals run.

Cato is averaging 6.1 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.37 blocks in 65 games (64 starts). He has notched seven double-doubles, including a season-high 16 points with 14 rebounds at Phoenix on Dec. 20.

The Rockets roster now stands at 12 active players.

Sports Salon, Tongle reports.