Lost among the excitement of new faces like Larry Hughes and Donyell Marshall is the Cavaliers blue collar power forward, Drew Gooden. The former Jayhawk added new muscle and a new mindset to his game this year and through seven contests, the hard work and determination are paying off.
Gooden was the only Cavalier to play in all 82 games last season and the double-double machine is back in action, anchoring the Wine and Gold’s front line this season.
The man with a nasty streak on the court and a genial disposition off of it, sat down – and peddled a stationary bike – while giving up a few minutes of his time for a quick one-on-one with Cavs.com. Enjoy!
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Cavs.com: In a game of “33” between the frontcourt starters – you, LeBron James and Zydrunas Ilgauskas – who would win?
Drew Gooden: A game of 33? What’s that? Is that what it’s called in Ohio? Is it like “21”? That would definitely be me. Because I have the inside and outside game.
Cavs.com: Are you happy with your game so far this year? How are you fitting in with the new coach, new system and the new additions?
DG: Yes I am. And I know that I could do a lot better, but right now, this is what my team needs me to do, and I’m going to carry out my role. And I’m happy with my role right now, because we’re winning.
Cavs.com: You grew up playing ball on the famous courts in Oakland, California. What’s different about hoops in Oakland than the ones in New York City?
DG: You have to think about the population.
New York City has a lot of kids and a lot of basketball courts. In Oakland, you have about four or five spots to play at and it’s not as popular in New York. And playing against New York guys and playing against Oakland guys is two different types of games.
I think New York play is more smooth and all about ball-handling and driving the ball. But in the Bay, you’re lucky if you leave with just a busted lip, let alone some kind of nasty injury. Guys play real rough and they’re not as skilled as the New York guys, so it’s more like playing tackle football out there.
Cavs.com: Have you ever seen (Bay hoops legend) Hook Mitchell, play? Have you ever seen him dunk over a car?
DG: I’ve seen him jump over a car and dunk. I’ve seen it back in ’88-’89, somewhere around there.
In Mosswood Park – one of the historic playgrounds in Oakland – he jumped over a Mustang and did a 360 windmill over the hood. And my father used to play on those same playgrounds and that’s where I picked up the game. My dad used to play with Hook Mitchell.
Cavs.com: Your dad played professional ball in Europe, correct?
DG: He played overseas in Finland. He’s 6-3, but he’s an animal down low. And he can also shoot the lights out.
Cavs.com: Are you superstitious?
DG: Very superstitious. I have to take the same path into the Arena every night. When I walk into the gym – onto the floor – it’s the same ol’, same ol’, but I have my routine coming in for the day.
I park, I get out, and I take the same path, every day. If I keep doing that, everything will keep going like it’s going.
Cavs.com: I heard that you’re starting to watch the show “Curb Your Enthusiasm” with Larry David. What are your impressions?
DG: (Laughs) Yeah, I’m starting to watch that. Ira Newble has a new DVD for me at the beginning of the season. Last year it was “24” and “The Wire” and this year it’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
That Larry David is a pretty funny guy. Now I see where Seinfeld got a ton of his material.
Link
Gooden was the only Cavalier to play in all 82 games last season and the double-double machine is back in action, anchoring the Wine and Gold’s front line this season.
The man with a nasty streak on the court and a genial disposition off of it, sat down – and peddled a stationary bike – while giving up a few minutes of his time for a quick one-on-one with Cavs.com. Enjoy!
------------------------------------------------------------------
Cavs.com: In a game of “33” between the frontcourt starters – you, LeBron James and Zydrunas Ilgauskas – who would win?
Drew Gooden: A game of 33? What’s that? Is that what it’s called in Ohio? Is it like “21”? That would definitely be me. Because I have the inside and outside game.
Cavs.com: Are you happy with your game so far this year? How are you fitting in with the new coach, new system and the new additions?
DG: Yes I am. And I know that I could do a lot better, but right now, this is what my team needs me to do, and I’m going to carry out my role. And I’m happy with my role right now, because we’re winning.
Cavs.com: You grew up playing ball on the famous courts in Oakland, California. What’s different about hoops in Oakland than the ones in New York City?
DG: You have to think about the population.
New York City has a lot of kids and a lot of basketball courts. In Oakland, you have about four or five spots to play at and it’s not as popular in New York. And playing against New York guys and playing against Oakland guys is two different types of games.
I think New York play is more smooth and all about ball-handling and driving the ball. But in the Bay, you’re lucky if you leave with just a busted lip, let alone some kind of nasty injury. Guys play real rough and they’re not as skilled as the New York guys, so it’s more like playing tackle football out there.
Cavs.com: Have you ever seen (Bay hoops legend) Hook Mitchell, play? Have you ever seen him dunk over a car?
DG: I’ve seen him jump over a car and dunk. I’ve seen it back in ’88-’89, somewhere around there.
In Mosswood Park – one of the historic playgrounds in Oakland – he jumped over a Mustang and did a 360 windmill over the hood. And my father used to play on those same playgrounds and that’s where I picked up the game. My dad used to play with Hook Mitchell.
Cavs.com: Your dad played professional ball in Europe, correct?
DG: He played overseas in Finland. He’s 6-3, but he’s an animal down low. And he can also shoot the lights out.
Cavs.com: Are you superstitious?
DG: Very superstitious. I have to take the same path into the Arena every night. When I walk into the gym – onto the floor – it’s the same ol’, same ol’, but I have my routine coming in for the day.
I park, I get out, and I take the same path, every day. If I keep doing that, everything will keep going like it’s going.
Cavs.com: I heard that you’re starting to watch the show “Curb Your Enthusiasm” with Larry David. What are your impressions?
DG: (Laughs) Yeah, I’m starting to watch that. Ira Newble has a new DVD for me at the beginning of the season. Last year it was “24” and “The Wire” and this year it’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
That Larry David is a pretty funny guy. Now I see where Seinfeld got a ton of his material.
Link
