Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009...10:06 am
Quick Thoughts on Drew Gooden
In the Express-News this morning, Mike Monroe brought up Drew Gooden’s time with the Cavs as a reason he might be easily integrated into the Spurs system:
Popovich did a masterful job of dodging questions calculated to make him tip his hand about his team’s interest in Gooden, who played in Cleveland for coach Mike Brown, whose defensive system is closely akin to that of Popovich, whom he served as an assistant.
Asked if any player already schooled in the rudiments of the Spurs’ defensive scheme would have a leg up on making a smooth transition, Popovich cut off a questioner.
“I’m not even going there,” he said, chuckling. “That’s very clever.”
Commenter TDzilla said something similar. I just wanted to call attention to the idea because I think it is right. Consider the fact that we brought in Kurt Thomas after he had spent most of the season working with P.J. Carlesimo. As the Gooden story develops, we’ll be sure to keep you updated.
UPDATE: I asked Tom Ziller about the severity of Drew Gooden’s injury, figuring that if Tom doesn’t know, nobody knows. Zill had this to say:
It’s hard to tell. It kept him out of Bulls games, and the one game he played here, he was on the bike when not in the game. So there’s some measure of sustained injury. But it’s wholly possible the Kings held him out of the two subsequent games because the team knew it wanted to get him to give up some cash in a buy-out. If he plays before an agreement is reached and deepens the injury, the team might be in a tough spot.
For background on why I feel this way, Brad Miller didn’t play for about five games before the trade (and played immediately with Chicago) and the team announced Salmons and Bobby Brown would sit the final game before the deadline with nagging injuries (despite the All-Star break) — neither missed any games for their new teams.
UPDATE 2: It appears the deal is going down.
22 Comments
March 3rd, 2009 at 10:16 am
Have you heard anything new about his groin injury? I keep seeing different reports saying that it’s just a strain all the way to it’s sports hernia and it will require surgery.
March 3rd, 2009 at 10:23 am
D Counts,
I’ve pretty much heard the same thing you have: Wildly conflicting reports about the severity of his injury.
If anyone has legitimate information regarding Gooden’s groin injury, feel free to provide a link in the comments.
March 3rd, 2009 at 10:27 am
Why is Gooden the over-the-top guy that we think we need? Most of what I’ve heard about him is the fact that he was absolutely horrible playing next to Lebron. If he is such a prized acquisition why aren’t the Cavs going back for him? It seems it would be a smoother transition to go there than to come to the Spurs.
March 3rd, 2009 at 11:13 am
Because Gooden is a big man that can put the ball in the basket. He can also knock down his free throws when he steps up to the line.
March 3rd, 2009 at 11:57 am
Also, you can’t beat getting those numbers for cheaps!
March 3rd, 2009 at 12:11 pm
because nick van exel isn’t available.
March 3rd, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Thanks for the update. I wonder if the injury is worse than everyone is letting on. How much help would an injured Gooden help us? I don’t see why the Spurs are so big on picking him up.
March 3rd, 2009 at 12:33 pm
When a 15-8 guy becomes available, and we need frontcourt help, you have to take a look.
March 3rd, 2009 at 12:44 pm
I agree. You have to take a look. Generally, I don’t think a buyout guy puts any team over the top, and I don’t know if Gooden would be that guy, either. But his numbers are strong so why not?
March 3rd, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Remember, it was P.J. Brown, a late acquisition for the Celtics last year, who arguably single-handedly saved their season against the Cavs because of his performance in game 7 of the eastern conference semis.
A single performance like that in the playoffs could make the Gooden acquisition invaluable.
Not saying Gooden will do this, but in a season like this where, assuming health, the playoffs will be as close as ever, we have to do whatever it takes to give ourselves an edge.
March 3rd, 2009 at 12:59 pm
NL: “…I don’t think a buyout guy puts any team over the top…”
Tell that to the Celtics and P.J. Brown
But I agree with you, I don’t think Gooden is that much of an improvement from the current roster. But I could be dead wrong…
March 3rd, 2009 at 1:17 pm
But isn’t Gooden considered to be “basically retarded” in basketball IQ? Does Pop try to teach him how to play defense on the fly, or do we tell him to focus on rebounding and scoring and take our chances?
I imagine Pop will have to swallow his pride a bit and work with what he can.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Looks like there’s a new Spur: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3949639
I’m glad he doesn’t have the beard anymore, at least based off some pics of him with the Kings. I don’t know how quickly he can grow that thing. The bigger Q is who’s being dumped?
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:14 pm
I wish I could edit my comment to add this: I think it’s Pops being dropped, since the article says that Gooden will be joining later this week-probably after the 10-day expires.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Well, something happened. That’s good by itself. If he doesn’t cut, nothing will be lost. If he manages to help the Spurs, then all the better.
This is the kind of move the Spurs always make. Why were we expecting / hoping for something different? The FO has its system, and it sticks to it. I can respect that.
March 3rd, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Alright, here come the Spurs juggernaut. At least I know that there’s a body down there when we meet the Lakers later on. Even if Bynum comes back, I still like our chances
March 4th, 2009 at 1:13 am
Glenn Robinson, Damon Stoudamire, Nick Van Exel, Hedo Turkoglu, Drew Gooden.
it almost seems like the prerequisite is having been a marginal all-star, and a moron, for most of a career, right?
feel free to add to the list, we all know there’s others.
March 4th, 2009 at 1:26 am
It’s better than not having anyone at all. Sure, Gooden is no way a super player. However, he’s just the one that the Spurs need to bring relief to Tim Duncan. Aside from that, he’s too inexpensive for what he can bring to the table. I’m just worried about his injury, but if he becomes healthy. I really like our chances. GSG
March 4th, 2009 at 4:55 am
I don’t see why everyone is so down with Gooden, do you guys realize who leads the Spurs in rebounds after TD? Matt Bonner at 4.9
Matt Bonner! 4.9 rebounds a game! And you say no to a guy who averages 8.7 rebounds a game?!
March 4th, 2009 at 8:09 am
The drawbacks on Gooden are:
1. Possible injury (though you have to think we checked this out already)
2. He’s not great on D.
3. He’s known for being kind of an idiot in the past.
But I agree with everyone else that the benefits far outweigh these drawbacks. A proven NBA player who averages 13 and 8 when we’re headed for as hard a playoff run as ever? And all we have to give up is 1.5 mill and a roster spot being filled by an interesting prospect? Yes, please!
March 4th, 2009 at 8:25 am
Gooden is a solid pickup. Let’s hope the injury is minor. Something tells me, the Spurs made sure it wasn’t anything serious before signing. Either way Gooden will shore up the frontcourt. Gooden will add depth to a very old tandem of Oberto and Thomas. Gooden is only 27! If he plays well in his short spurt with the Spurs. It would behoove the Spurs to sign Gooden for next year.
March 4th, 2009 at 8:57 am
13 points a game is not bad considering he played on a team with so many scorers. It’ll be an upgrade on Thomas and Oberto.
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