Reply With Quote
Tim Duncan is going to on Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum either way.
Whether or not Gooden can play better D while being on the Spurs team is not as significant as the Laker bigs having to defend him and Timmy together. Even picking up an extra foul or two on Gasol and the LA bigs is a huge ++ for the Spurs. Thus giving the Spurs the extra edge that can make all the difference in a close game.
Whatever the case, this is bad news for the Lakers and good news for the Spurs.
Tim Duncan is going to on Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum either way.
You are suggesting that Drew Gooden is some consistent potent scorer, which he is not. Matt Bonner is actually more of mismatch for the Laker front court defensively than Gooden is. Gooden is capable of hitting a midrange jumper, but he's generally not some crazy threat offensively on most nights. He can help with offensive rebounding and slightly better defense than Bonner or Oberto. But in saying that, he's still not a great defender and often times he's a poor defender in terms of mental focus.
Drew Gooden helps the Spurs, but he's not the type of guy that instills fear in opponents. Good pick-up. About as significant as if the Spurs picked up Stromile Swift, in my opinion.Even picking up an extra foul or two on Gasol and the LA bigs is a huge ++ for the Spurs. Thus giving the Spurs the extra edge that can make all the difference in a close game.
Whatever the case, this is bad news for the Lakers and good news for the Spurs.
Drew does have the ability to carry a team offensively on a given night. Bonner, as far as I know, does not.
When has SS averaged 13 and 8? Refresh my memory.
What I like about Gooden is that he brings a legitimate post presence to the Spurs, something Rasheed would have done as well. He's a guy you have to respect and box out in and around the hoop, because if you don't he's going to be in the double digits in rebounds for the game.
If the Spurs have 3 bigs who combined average 25 boards per game against the Lakers (Duncan 11-12 rpg, Gooden 8 rpg, Bonner or KT 5+ rpg), that's going to be a major turning point in the WCF, provided both teams make it there. Gooden gives the Spurs the ability to still have decent (not great) playmaking inside without Duncan on the floor. Without Gooden, the Spurs are extremely limited inside if Timmy is sitting.
Stromile has similar size and abilities as Drew Gooden. Gooden has definitely been more productive. But I think Stromile lost a lot of passion for the game when he was traded back to Memphis in 2006. Stromile also hasn't been able to get the confidence from any of his coaches to play more than reserve minutes. But, look at their per36 statistics:
Gooden: 15.3 ppg, 10.1 rpg, .470 FG%, 0.8 bpg
Stromile: 15.3 ppg, 8.4 rpg, .474 FG%, 2.3 bpg
Gooden: http://www.basketball-reference.com/...goodedr01.html
Stromile: http://www.basketball-reference.com/...swiftst01.html
I'm just saying. Just like a change of scenery may be what Gooden needs, same could be said for Stromile except for it making an even bigger difference. Both bring similar things to me.
You're kidding yourself if you think Gooden brings a legitimate post presence. He doesn't suck, but since when was he ever considered a legit post presence? If that was the case, why would he ever been traded by the Bulls, who are in desperate need of post presence? Drew Gooden hasn't been respected by any compe ion in years. Not a bad player, but you hype him too much.What I like about Gooden is that he brings a legitimate post presence to the Spurs, something Rasheed would have done as well. He's a guy you have to respect and box out in and around the hoop, because if you don't he's going to be in the double digits in rebounds for the game.
Gooden will likely help in offensive rebounding. Don't think he'll make a huge impact on defensive boards as Duncan will still be the main guy for that and Bonner has been decent for what is expected from him. But be realistic. Drew Gooden cannot consistently compete with either Gasol or Odom or Bynum if healthy on the boards.If the Spurs have 3 bigs who combined average 25 boards per game against the Lakers (Duncan 11-12 rpg, Gooden 8 rpg, Bonner or KT 5+ rpg), that's going to be a major turning point in the WCF, provided both teams make it there. Gooden gives the Spurs the ability to still have decent (not great) playmaking inside without Duncan on the floor. Without Gooden, the Spurs are extremely limited inside if Timmy is sitting.
Again, solid pick-up. I'm not sold Gooden is the impact player that puts the Spurs over the top or even really makes them that much more of a threat to the Lakers or Celtics especially. Maybe the Cavs if those two teams should meet, but that will be tough since in all likelihood they'd have to get through the Lakers first.
I just think LA is too stacked for anyone to do much about them. LA determines whether they win the championship or not this time around.
The Lakers only threat is their health.
That's why I'm not terribly concerned with what any other team is doing with regards to picking up FA's.
I know that as long as the Lakers have all their horses in the playoffs it won't really matter what other teams do. They're going to lose.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
