oakley was drafted with the 9th overall pick in the 1985 nba draft by the cleveland cavaliers, but his draft rights were traded to the chicago bulls. oakley provided another scoring option and steady offensive and defensive performances to an up-and-coming bulls squad led by michael jordan. he also assumed the role of the team "cop" whose duty primarily was to protect young jordan against cheap shots and roughhousing tactics of opposing players. oakley earned all-rookie team honors in 1986.