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A fit at power forward
Lack of a contract extension means Drew Gooden's future remains uncertain with the Cavaliers. But coach Mike Brown likes what he sees from Gooden.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Burt Graeff
Plain Dealer Reporter
Someone hand Cavaliers power forward Drew Gooden a pillow, along with a blanket. He may be needing them.
Gooden, 24, is working on quite a trifecta -- banging bodies in consecutive games with Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal, Minnesota's Kevin Garnett and the Los Angeles Clippers' Elton Brand.
The trifecta is completed tonight when the Cavaliers (9-4) and Clippers meet at The Q.
"It's all just part of the job," said Gooden, smiling when asked about going up against this trio that has played in a combined 14 All-Star games.
O'Neal, 27, Garnett, 29, and Brand, 26, are prime examples of how the power forward position has changed over the last two decades. Twenty years ago, the power forward was a lumbering guy who posted up, rarely facing the basket.
Today, he is a 6-11, 230-pound greyhound capable of posting up and pulling up from 20 feet on a fast-break jumper.
Proof of how well-rounded the modern-day power forward has become: Brand (23.4 points, 10.3 rebounds) is the sixth of the 12 Gooden will face in 14 games who leads his respective team in scoring and rebounding.
The previous five: San Antonio's Tim Duncan (21.7, 11.9); Memphis' Pau Gasol (19.8, 8.9); Toronto's Chris Bosh (21.2, 10.1); O'Neal (21.3, 10.4) and Garnett (21.7, 10.5). "We are in a new era of power forwards," said Gooden, a 6-10, 245-pounder capable of running the break with 6-5 guards.
"[TNT analyst and former NBA All-Star] Charles Barkley says the new breed are guys who can shoot, rebound and block shots and he's right."
Here's Gooden's scouting report on some of the new breed power forwards:
Brand (6-8, 275 pounds). "A big wide body who can really rebound. A high-energy guy who is scoring more than ever. He's become a real offensive threat."
Garnett (6-11, 230). "A face up player. Another high-energy guy who can put it on the floor and take it to the basket. Very competitive and very long."
O'Neal (6-11, 226). "One of those guys who can play you face up, or with his back to the basket. He's a load no matter which way he goes. A real shot-blocker."
Gasol (7-foot, 227). "A freak of nature. He's like, 7-1, does some things, like crossing over with his dribble, and I'll say to myself, 'Did he really just do that?' "
Bosh (6-10, 228). "He's a young (21) wiry guy who's strong enough to back you into the basket, but someone who also has a great face-up game. And, you can't forget that he's left-handed."
Duncan (6-11. 260). "Earlier this season, when we played [the Spurs], I didn't check [defend] him as much as I have in the past, but what more can you say about the guy. As fundamentally sound as there is. Rarely makes a mistake."
Gooden, not involved as much in the offense as in the past with the additions of Larry Hughes, Donyell Marshall and Damon Jones, is nonetheless off to a very solid start - 12.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.4 blocked shots, 54 percent shooting from the field, 82 percent from the line.
The Cavaliers chose not to extend Gooden's contract, which clouds his future with the team. "I do think about the contract at times," he said, "but I am just going to go out there, do my job and see what happens.
"I kind of feel like a rookie again."
First-year coach Mike Brown likes what he sees. "We have enough scorers on this team and Drew has accepted his new role," Brown said. "I want him to rebound and show toughness at both ends of the floor and he has.
"I don't think I've called a single play for him. What he's gotten has been on his own. I have nothing but high praise for Drew Gooden."
Finally:
Damon Jones (flu-like symptoms) left Tuesday's practice early, but is expected to be available for tonight's game. . . . The Cavaliers 9-4 record matches last year's after 13 games. . . . Gooden's last five games: 14.4 points, 11.4 rebounds.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
bgraeff@plaind.com, 216-999-4479
Lack of a contract extension means Drew Gooden's future remains uncertain with the Cavaliers. But coach Mike Brown likes what he sees from Gooden.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Burt Graeff
Plain Dealer Reporter
Someone hand Cavaliers power forward Drew Gooden a pillow, along with a blanket. He may be needing them.
Gooden, 24, is working on quite a trifecta -- banging bodies in consecutive games with Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal, Minnesota's Kevin Garnett and the Los Angeles Clippers' Elton Brand.
The trifecta is completed tonight when the Cavaliers (9-4) and Clippers meet at The Q.
"It's all just part of the job," said Gooden, smiling when asked about going up against this trio that has played in a combined 14 All-Star games.
O'Neal, 27, Garnett, 29, and Brand, 26, are prime examples of how the power forward position has changed over the last two decades. Twenty years ago, the power forward was a lumbering guy who posted up, rarely facing the basket.
Today, he is a 6-11, 230-pound greyhound capable of posting up and pulling up from 20 feet on a fast-break jumper.
Proof of how well-rounded the modern-day power forward has become: Brand (23.4 points, 10.3 rebounds) is the sixth of the 12 Gooden will face in 14 games who leads his respective team in scoring and rebounding.
The previous five: San Antonio's Tim Duncan (21.7, 11.9); Memphis' Pau Gasol (19.8, 8.9); Toronto's Chris Bosh (21.2, 10.1); O'Neal (21.3, 10.4) and Garnett (21.7, 10.5). "We are in a new era of power forwards," said Gooden, a 6-10, 245-pounder capable of running the break with 6-5 guards.
"[TNT analyst and former NBA All-Star] Charles Barkley says the new breed are guys who can shoot, rebound and block shots and he's right."
Here's Gooden's scouting report on some of the new breed power forwards:
Brand (6-8, 275 pounds). "A big wide body who can really rebound. A high-energy guy who is scoring more than ever. He's become a real offensive threat."
Garnett (6-11, 230). "A face up player. Another high-energy guy who can put it on the floor and take it to the basket. Very competitive and very long."
O'Neal (6-11, 226). "One of those guys who can play you face up, or with his back to the basket. He's a load no matter which way he goes. A real shot-blocker."
Gasol (7-foot, 227). "A freak of nature. He's like, 7-1, does some things, like crossing over with his dribble, and I'll say to myself, 'Did he really just do that?' "
Bosh (6-10, 228). "He's a young (21) wiry guy who's strong enough to back you into the basket, but someone who also has a great face-up game. And, you can't forget that he's left-handed."
Duncan (6-11. 260). "Earlier this season, when we played [the Spurs], I didn't check [defend] him as much as I have in the past, but what more can you say about the guy. As fundamentally sound as there is. Rarely makes a mistake."
Gooden, not involved as much in the offense as in the past with the additions of Larry Hughes, Donyell Marshall and Damon Jones, is nonetheless off to a very solid start - 12.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.4 blocked shots, 54 percent shooting from the field, 82 percent from the line.
The Cavaliers chose not to extend Gooden's contract, which clouds his future with the team. "I do think about the contract at times," he said, "but I am just going to go out there, do my job and see what happens.
"I kind of feel like a rookie again."
First-year coach Mike Brown likes what he sees. "We have enough scorers on this team and Drew has accepted his new role," Brown said. "I want him to rebound and show toughness at both ends of the floor and he has.
"I don't think I've called a single play for him. What he's gotten has been on his own. I have nothing but high praise for Drew Gooden."
Finally:
Damon Jones (flu-like symptoms) left Tuesday's practice early, but is expected to be available for tonight's game. . . . The Cavaliers 9-4 record matches last year's after 13 games. . . . Gooden's last five games: 14.4 points, 11.4 rebounds.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
bgraeff@plaind.com, 216-999-4479
