Gooden commits to signing with Spurs

[GSH]

no matter how aggresive Gooden or anyone else around Duncan plays...

We'll have to see how Pop intends to use Gooden

About the first, we'll just have to disagree. If the absence of David Robinson made it possible for teams to defend Tim more aggressively (and it did) then the opposite would also be true. Gooden couldn't hold David's jockstrap, in his prime. But he's similar enough to David in that final season. And that was still formidable.

About the second, you are right. If Gooden refuses to defend, he'll be on the bench thinking about his next haircut. And even if he works on the defensive end, he may not see much floor time with Duncan.

One thing I don't think anyone will argue with. An additional 3-4 boards per game, and an additional 4-5 points per game in the paint would change the nature of this team. (Remember that every additional defensive rebound is one less offensive board for our opponents. That makes for fewer easy second-chance points for the other teams.) If he's not too big of a liability on defense, it would make our average margin of victory one of the best in the league again.

The main thing is he is capable of adding net points, rather than just taking points that somebody else would have gotten.


.

[Marcus Bryant]

Radoslav was a in the paint. The FTA stats bear that out. It's amusing that DRob was regarded as some kind of weak player considering the abuse he took in the paint and dished out night in and night out. Not to mention the back problems caused by being 7'1" tall and having a size 30 waist.

The Spurs lost in the 2004 playoffs due in no small part to facing the most physical frontcourt the Spurs have ever faced with Radosoft starting at the 5. You want guys who will compete in the paint. I think Oberto does, he's just that physically limited.

This is still a bigman's game, no matter how much Stern and his broadcast "partners" seek to change it.

[Duncan74]

This should be interesting!

[Obstructed_View]

Because you'll find I a lot smarter than you if you start talking about iq.

That is ing sigworthy.

[peskypesky]

Can Gooden help make teams pay a steeper price for doubling?

[DaBears]

If anyone gets wavied not that i would hope someone but i think Vaughn should be the one. Give him r ole on the bench as a Coach or something.

[completely deck]

A whole bunch of either happy Spurs fans or scared Lakers fans.

[HarlemHeat37]

I find it hard to believe that Jacque would get waived..Pop isn't going into the playoffs without a plan at PG, incase George can't handle it..

I love the signing..I'm not a big Gooden fan or anything, but we're getting him for nothing..he's our only non-Duncan big that can consistently create his own shot and get to the line..his D is a concern, but I can't picture him being worse than Bonner defensivley in this system..he's also a good rebounder..

this is just a great addition..

[GSH]

Radoslav was a in the paint. The FTA stats bear that out. It's amusing that DRob was regarded as some kind of weak player considering the abuse he took in the paint and dished out night in and night out. Not to mention the back problems caused by being 7'1" tall and having a size 30 waist.

The Spurs lost in the 2004 playoffs due in no small part to facing the most physical frontcourt the Spurs have ever faced with Radosoft starting at the 5. You want guys who will compete in the paint. I think Oberto does, he's just that physically limited.

This is still a bigman's game, no matter how much Stern and his broadcast "partners" seek to change it.

I knew you and I couldn't disagree forever. You're damned right about Fab. A little more foot speed, a little more vertical, and he would get a lot more credit. He's hard-nosed in the paint, and he works his ass off. He also does a lot of the "little things" like setting good solid picks, and sealing for other guys to shoot and drive. He doesn't get a fair shake from a lot of fans. It's still true that he's at too much of a disadvantage to some of the young, athletic bigs in the league. But Fab will definitely leave some paint on their bumpers.

Kurt Thomas is a tough sonofa too. He's a lot stronger (by far) than most fans give him credit for, and he fights in the paint. He also has a great basketball IQ, and works on setting picks, etc. If only he was 4-5 years younger.

And you're right about it being a big man's game, too. You take Z and/or Varejao off the Cavs, and see if LeBron can make them a le contender by himself. Remember what Kobe's Lakers looked like without Shaq or Gasol. Orlando would be poop without Dwight Howard. Okur, Boozer, and Millsap all average over 5 FTA/36 for Utah. Everybody knows what Garnett did for the Celtics, but people are just noticing how disruptive Leon Powe is for them. It's no coincidence that he averages over 8 FTA/36.

On the other side, Atlanta and Denver are good but not serious le contenders. Why? Josh Smith gets to the line over 5 times per 36 minutes, but Horford only gets about 3 FTA/36. Same for Denver: Nene gets about 5 FTA/36 (down from almost 6 before the cancer), but K-Mart only gets a little over 3 FTA/36.

Teams don't win championships without bigs who give it in the paint. If the Bulls didn't have Horace Grant or Tony Kukoc, Jordan would be a couple of rings lighter. , if you replace Bill Cartwright or Luc Longley with Rasho, Jordan would probably be a couple of rings lighter. Rasho was the weak link in the 04 playoffs, just like you said. But if the Spurs had a serviceable big in 06, they almost certainly would have won a le that year, too.

I still say that the two best measures of a guy who gives it in the paint are RBs and FTA/36. Gooden is an upgrade for us in both of those areas, but most especially the FTA's. And his numbers have been consistent for 6 1/2 years. There's no reason to believe that he can't produce here, as long as he is healthy. And don't forget, he's in a contract year... he's motivated. I'm not one of the people bashing Oberto or Thomas. But a net of +3 ppg (allowing for some fall-off on defense) could be enough to tip a playoff series our way.

[HarlemHeat37]

..and LOL @ anybody saying Gooden playing big minutes is bad for us..he averaged 28 MPG and started every game for a team that made the finals in '07..

[HarlemHeat37]

GSH is bringing up some good points, good poster..the fact that Gooden is in a contract year is also a big factor as well..

[Illusionarist]

Just wanted to ask. Any idea when exactly we should expect Gooden signed? And should we expect him signed? Just want to know because i can't wait

[sa_butta]

Can't wait to see him get signed or see him play. I really don't think we will see him playing too much until playoff time. Did he even play a game for the Kings??

[Marcus Bryant]

You don't ask when Gooden will sign. Gooden will tell you.

[Illusionarist]

I am just asking ideas or if you know something more specific.

[Flux451]

you make lemonade popsicles!!!

Gooden was an awesome pick up. TIred of spoiled haters putting him down. I can't wait to see this guy next to DUncan.

Do you think this makes an actual contender with the #1 team?

[urunobili]

was another thread necessary for a question that can be done in any of the threads out there?

[duncan228]

Just wanted to ask. Any idea when exactly we should expect Gooden signed? And should we expect him signed? Just want to know because i can't wait

The latest 'official' thing I've seen is from Mike Monroe, last night.

The Spurs have reached an agreement with free agent power forward Drew Gooden that will add the 6-foot-10 veteran to the team's roster by the end of the week.

Gooden can't officially sign with the Spurs until today, when the league verifies he has cleared waivers. Since they have 15 players on their roster, they will first have to create a spot, most likely by waiving Pops Mensah-Bonsu, who signed a 10-day contract last Wednesday.

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118666

[sa_butta]

You don't ask when Gooden will sign. Gooden will tell you.

Who would win in a fight Bonner or Gooden??

[Spursmania]

Bonner

[Flux451]

was another thread necessary for a question that can be done in any of the threads out there?

when i become a 5000+ posts sage I will know better, until then I will make mistakes, sorry

[whottt]

when i become a 5000+ posts sage I will know better, until then I will make mistakes, sorry

Nice blast...this guy's got potential

[TwinTowers]

I think is a good sign for SA, but their season and championship hopes only depend on Parker/Duncan/Ginobilli's health. In the eventuality that Gooden's injury isn't fully healed by the time the playoffs come, it won't be a big loss since the Spurs didn't give out a lot to get him. They won't even be hit by the luxury tax. If he's healthy, and able to contribute, we'll have an interesting end of the season.

As I Lakers fan I don't need to say who I think will be the champs this season...

[YoMamaIsCallin]

Great pick up! I'd waive Vaughn and then immediately rehire him as an assistant coach. I like Pops long term potential, so I hope they don't waive him.

I don't think you realize that waiving a player only frees a roster spot, it does not change the contractual obligations of the club to pay the player, nor does it give any relief on salary cap or luxury tax.

What you are suggesting is like you deciding that you don't like your car, so you go park it in a vacant lot with a sign that says "Take this car if you want it", but you keep making the payments. The only benefit is that you free up a space in your garage that you can use to park the new car you buy.

[Dex]

when i become a 5000+ posts sage I will know better, until then I will make mistakes, sorry