Gooden loves role with LeBron, Cavaliers

[West Remy]

Gooden loves role with LeBron, Cavaliers

By Gary Bedore
FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2005

Drew Gooden, who has played for three teams in his three-year NBA career, may have found a permanent home in Cleveland.

The 6-foot-10, 242-pounder had his best season as a pro last season with the Cavaliers, averaging 14.4 points and 9.2 rebounds a game for a team that missed the playoffs on the last day of the season.

"Hopefully," Gooden said, asked if he'd be finishing his first pro contract (four years, $13.08 million) next to LeBron James. "But the nature of the game is it's a business, and you never know. Wherever I'm at, I'll play my game and do what I need to do."

Gooden -- he hit 49.2 percent of his floor shots last season -- said it was "a joy" teaming with James, a former high school phenom who has averaged 24.1 points a game in his first two years as a pro.

"He is one of the best young players in the game," Gooden said. "Like all of us, he's making himself better all the time."

Gooden scored 15 points in Wednesday's KU 101-92 alumni victory over members of the current Jayhawk team.

"It was great to see all these fans come out to see us again," Gooden said of the crowd of 2,000. He was relieved, however, to see one person missing.

"I had four turnovers. Coach Williams would have gotten on me for that," Gooden quipped of his KU coach, Roy Williams.

Interesting article considering all the Gooden trade bait talk we've been hearing lately. Despite Gooden's occasional problems, he's a good kid and it would be a shame for him to be traded yet again in his young career. If a good deal comes on the table, I can understand but I like the fact he embraces his role. Drew doesn't have a problem being the high energy garbage, putback man that he's asked to be.

 

[NarlCavs]

Hopefully Gooden can mature more and cut down on his occasional bad lapses. He needs to improve his focus and keep his head in the game the whole time he's on the court. I agree, I'd keep him unless a good deal came along. I wouldn't have any problem trading him though if it was a good offer.

 

[Glen Infante]

I don't see him playing here in the future. Drew Gooden is good, but with all the talk about Z shipping out, it will be manditory that we upgrade in the PF position.

Drew Gooden has a good character, and it would suck for him if he was traded yet AGAIN in his young career. There is a good reason behind that though, the kid is inconsistant even with starter minutes. The 16/9 he puts up daily is nice, but the things he does in between those numbers don't show up on the stat line.

He still has a knack to want to chuck that long range jumper, he still has a knack for forgetting to box out, and he is still undersized regarless of his 6'10 frame.

Drew Gooden needs to head up to GMC pronto and gain some mass if he wants to be our perminant PF next to LeBron James. Because right now, I still see him as a huge defensive liability and a mediocre offensive player that can be dealt whenever needed.

 

[Rimage]

I don't see him playing here in the future. Drew Gooden is good, but with all the talk about Z shipping out, it will be manditory that we upgrade in the PF position.

Drew Gooden has a good character, and it would suck for him if he was traded yet AGAIN in his young career. There is a good reason behind that though, the kid is inconsistant even with starter minutes. The 16/9 he puts up daily is nice, but the things he does in between those numbers don't show up on the stat line.

He still has a knack to want to chuck that long range jumper, he still has a knack for forgetting to box out, and he is still undersized regarless of his 6'10 frame.

Drew Gooden needs to head up to GMC pronto and gain some mass if he wants to be our perminant PF next to LeBron James. Because right now, I still see him as a huge defensive liability and a mediocre offensive player that can be dealt whenever needed.

I still am high on Gooden. I see this guy being 18/10 guy next year and staying that way for the next 5 years after that. I don't see why people are okay with him going. I like him and unless we are getting an all-star to replace him, I don't see why we would

 

[Troy Wingate]

I would like to see Drew stay, but if we get an All-Star PF who is young, then I would part ways with Drew. Drew's game will only get better playing alongside LeBron.

 

[TheAdmin]

I would like to see Drew stay, but if we get an All-Star PF who is young, then I would part ways with Drew. Drew's game will only get better playing alongside LeBron.

That could be said for any player who gets the chance to play with James but I kinda like Gooden myself. btw

Welcome abourd Troy, its nice to see that you have finally moved from RealGM to here. Its about time, lol.

 

[TyGuy]

I also like gooden, sure he can be frustrating sometimes with his inconsistancy but I think he can get over that in a stable system. He played with a lot of heart and looked like a few of teh cavs that really cared towards the end.

 

[Glen Infante]

There's no denying of Drew's heart nor his talent. I think he is a mighty fine player. I am not for trading him, I just feel that it will happen. There is many upgrades over Drew that we can probably obtain. When those ugrades are avaliable, I see whoever our GM is pulling the trigger.

 

[Dungong]

i see him as a bargain at his contract and what he brings to the table, most people have even stopped griping about boozer. Hes getting at least less bone-headed. When he first came in, he would regularly jack up his .250 3 pointer, but he got out of that. He has the ability to have some monster games and is one of those guys that can change the game. He'll only get better, and I dont think the Cavs would want to trade him, but the problem is he's the only guy under contract who would draw enough interest for a trade.

 

[King]

Having AV here makes me much more willing to trade Drew. Especially if Z is resigned because I feel AV's game compliments Z more then Drew's game does.

I do really like Gooden though. I feel that he is still gonna improve his game greatly as the years go by. He's already a double double machine. If we traded Drew, I would miss him, but I wouldnt lose any sleep over it.