(INTERVIEW) Charles Oakley, an Unlikely Warrior on the Dance Floor, Talks Beating the Competition on ‘Dancing With The Stars’

This season of “Dancing with the Stars”—ABC’s long-running dance competition show—features several contestants with attributes that would typically give them an edge on the show, including a 5-foot-3 Disney channel actress, a back-flipping rapper and an Olympic figure skater known for his signature slide.

However, one unconventional DWTS contestant has been winning hearts and putting smiles on viewers’ faces: NBA legend Charles Oakley.

Over his 19-year NBA career, the former all-star New York Knicks forward built a reputation for being a tough defender, who sometimes had to get physical with an opponent to protect a teammate, including NBA legend Michael Jordan, who he played with on the Chicago Bulls from 1985-1988. Oakley also made an appearance in Jordan’s Emmy-winning ESPN documentary “Last Dance,” which premiered in the spring.

But on “Dancing with the Stars,” Oakley has been beloved by fans for his youthful energy and light-heartened approach to his performance and practices.

“They were surprised,” Oakley said of his fans in an interview with Human Nature. “They like that I’m not a guy that’s afraid to do things like this.”

Though many have been surprised to learn about Oakley’s fondness for dancing, he says he’s been dancing since his days growing up in Cleveland, where ballroom dances and steppin’ events often took place.

If he goes on to win, at 56, Oakley would be the oldest to take home the top prize. However, Oakley says such history puts no added pressure on him. “I put in work to get better from week 1,” he said. “I want to show them that I’m learning.”

Oakley, who is paired with Emma Slater, is up against a tough list of competitors, including Super Bowl champion Vernon Davis, actress Skai Jackson, “The Real” host Jeannie Mai, Grammy-winning rapper Nelly and Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir.

However, Oakley says his years in the NBA has prepared him to handle the rigorous schedule and training regimen it takes to compete on DWTS.

Similar to playing in the NBA, Oakley says, first, contestants need to be in shape. Secondly, he says you have to be willing to accept the structure, such as following instructions and repeating a play, or in this case a routine, “over and over” again.

“You got to get it down,” he said. “You got to be a student, do what they ask you to do and be willing to go through with the hard work. It’s not easy.”

Professional basketball players typically haven’t fared well on the show given the nimble moves they have to make from such a high distance—something that the 6’8 Oakley says he understands.

Tonight, the show will have its first elimination and Oakley says he’s ready to show fans that’s his improved from his week-one performance in which he fell into the bottom two, along with “Tiger King’s” Carole Baskin, with a score of 12.

“It’s going to be real crispy,” he said. “I’m going to show them that I’ve improved.

Dancing with the Stars airs tonight on ABC at 8 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. CT, and on Mondays each week thereafter. Voting begins at the beginning of the show and ends during the last commercial break.

Vote for Charles Oakley at ABC.com and text CHARLES to 21523.

(Photos courtesy of ABC/Walt Disney)