Gooden commits to signing with Spurs

[SouthTexasRancher]

Younger doesn't automatically equal better. Sure, where there are opportunities to replace old guys with young guys who are just as good the Spurs will look to do that. But without a high draft pick or a bunch of cap space the notion that they'll be able to bring in 5 young guys who are better than the 5 old guys is unrealistic. Generally speaking teams don't trade good young players for old players, so the odds are slim that the Spurs would be able to trade any of those 5 for a younger, better player. I think Thomas is definitely back, guaranteed contract, playing well, great fit next to Tim. Finley is probably back, has a player option and there isn't really a better situation out there for him. I wouldn't be surprised if Vaughn is back. As a 3rd string PG who will play for the minimum he's more than adequate. Fab is on the bubble and I think Ime is definitely out.

We're just going to have to agree to disagree. Vaughn will most likely become an assistant coach, maybe with the Spurs. Finley will only be back if he agrees to move way down the bench. He is becoming too damn erratic...one game hitting 4 for 4 and the next 2-3 games laying up goose eggs. Fab, because of his heart condition will most likely not be back. He could very well become a player coach with Argentina. Ime Udoka...who is that invisible guy? He is toast but, some crazy owner/GM/coach will pick him up to carry the Gatorade for the team. KT, could possibly be back if Gooden goes elsewhere, Fab retires and we can't get a Camby or Sheed type to play alongside of Tim.

A lot will depend on how the young guys like Hairston, Pops, Mihimi, Hill, etc. look during the summer and in training camp and exhibition games. Tim, Manu & Tony are starting to show signs of age with injuries that just don't go away very fast. Too frequently of late. Pop realizes that he won't have Tim a whole lot longer so he will want to put good quality youth in the 6-10 spots. And a couple of consistent and reliable vets @ #'s 11 & 12. Anyway, just mho!

[Solid D]

bonner has improved. his 3 pt and jump shooting is great. but without duncan down low to attract defenders, his effectiveness is limited. when was the last time you saw bonner back down a defender in the paint and score?

gooden adds a low post presence that can create his own shots in the paint. when duncan is on the bench, offensive droughts happen because the staple of the spurs' offense is strong low post scoring to distract defenders. that's why almost everyone on the spurs seems to be very good at shooting threes or at least jump shots. without an interior presence, spurs just become a slow version of run and gun, chucking jump shots and doing the occasional drive. gooden might change some of that and mix up the offense enough to confuse defenders.

Matt isn't a low post player. He's a high post guy or someone who is a threat out on the floor. He doesn't play the 5, with or without Timmy. However, he's NOT a bad scorer once he gets into the paint, which is what you said. I understand what you meant, now, so we agree that he isn't a low post scorer.

[Budkin]

Good. We need the rebounding and size up front. If only Pop can make him play defense.

[tp2021]

Strange...a player that the Spurs were reported to be front-runners for actually signs with them? What's the world coming to?













Odd number curse of the NBA is creepin back...

[Manufan909]

If Tim/KT/Ian/Matt are givens, with Sheed/Drew possible, I don't see Fab having a spot. And hopefully Bowen, Gist and Hairston all get more minutes than Fin next season. As long as I'm 1 of 3 I'm happy, with Bowen and Gist being least likely to avg more PT than Fin. Hairston might if he is solid in the POs.

If Gooden ends up still hurt and Pops is signed to a 2nd tenday, then I can keep my sig.

[GSH]

Teams are going to continue to collapse on Duncan no matter how often Gooden gets to the line. He's Tim freaking Duncan. Gooden has the potential to help Tim on the boards, give some front court scoring when Tim is on the bench, and maybe allow Tim to have an easier defensive assignment, but Gooden isn't going to make teams want to start letting Tim go 1 on 1.

Don't put words in my mouth. Especially when they are dip words like that. Of course they aren't going to totally quit double teaming Tim.

It means that they are going to have to pull off those double teams more often. It means that Tim will get some opportunities to re-post a few feet closer to the basket. It means that they will be using some fouls on Gooden that they won't be able to use on Duncan - which means more opposing bigs in foul trouble. It means that when they do double Duncan, he will have someone to pass to who can take it strong to the hole and finish.

The difference between 2 and 5 FTA/48 is huge. It means a totally different level of aggressiveness around the rim. It means that teams are actually paying attention to him, rather than flashing to him as an afterthought.

I never suggested that Drew Gooden is an all-star post player. But I've said for years that the one thing that would benefit Tim is having another guy who commands some attention in the low blocks. And the best measure of that is trips to the line. Because the 5 times that he actually draws a whistle are only the tip of the iceberg. And when they are forced to put a big body on someone other than Tim, it's going to open his game up more.

The other thing you should keep in mind is that not all double teams are created equally. Having a guy like Gooden (if he's healthy) on the floor will affect the way teams are able to defend Duncan.

[peskypesky]

please God please God please God please God: let this be true!!!

[Mr Bones]

Whatever happens, I have to applaud the front office. Mensah-Bonsu quickly proved to be the best player in the d league after he was signed by the Toros, and Gooden looks to be the best post-trade deadline player available. Add to this the possibility that Mahinmi could be recovered before the playoffs start, and at least the Spurs have some options regarding their front line, which could be crucial in the event of a season ending injury to Bonner or Thomas. The Lakers, without Bynum, are still in a good position to win the western conference, and I think the Spurs will move one step closer to a similar position by adding Gooden.

[Manufan909]

Don't put words in my mouth. Especially when they are dip words like that. Of course they aren't going to totally quit double teaming Tim.

It means that they are going to have to pull off those double teams more often. It means that Tim will get some opportunities to re-post a few feet closer to the basket. It means that they will be using some fouls on Gooden that they won't be able to use on Duncan - which means more opposing bigs in foul trouble. It means that when they do double Duncan, he will have someone to pass to who can take it strong to the hole and finish.

The difference between 2 and 5 FTA/48 is huge. It means a totally different level of aggressiveness around the rim. It means that teams are actually paying attention to him, rather than flashing to him as an afterthought.

I never suggested that Drew Gooden is an all-star post player. But I've said for years that the one thing that would benefit Tim is having another guy who commands some attention in the low blocks. And the best measure of that is trips to the line. Because the 5 times that he actually draws a whistle are only the tip of the iceberg. And when they are forced to put a big body on someone other than Tim, it's going to open his game up more.

The other thing you should keep in mind is that not all double teams are created equally. Having a guy like Gooden (if he's healthy) on the floor will affect the way teams are able to defend Duncan.

So with the FTA, he could be averaging 5 fouls drawn(all And1s), or 3 fouls drawn with only one And1. Do they count that too, or not that much detail? Cuz I'd hope it would be the former, but I doubt it.

[senorglory]

...Vaughn, Udoka, Finley, Thomas, either via trade, retirement or bought out. Pop won't carry those 5 into next season and will instead be bringing along some of the new/younger guys plus a free agent or two.

09/10 looks like this:
a) Contracts: Duncan; Parker; Ginobili; Thomas; Bowen; Oberto; Mason; Bonner; Hill;
b) "Qualifying Offer" on Finley; and
c) "Team Option" on Mahinimi.

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/san_antonio.htm

[Solid D]

Of course the Spurs wouldn't be signing Gooden if they had signed Scola, who by the way went for 20 and 16 tonight..

[m33p0]

Of course the Spurs wouldn't be signing Gooden if they had signed Scola, who by the way went for 20 and 16 tonight..

:pot

YOU DID NOT JUST GO THERE, DID YOU?! YES YOU DID, DIDN'T YOU? YOU DID! , YOU DID!

[Holt's Cat]

Of course the Spurs wouldn't be signing Gooden if they had signed Scola, who by the way went for 20 and 16 tonight..

Pffft.

[Spursfan092120]

Don Harris said it came off the line in LA and they said that was the guy they HOPED SA wouldn't get...hmm...

[senorglory]

USA Today re: 2006 Eastern Conf quarter finals:

Countermove: As the Cavs' leader, James can't allow himself to be taken out of his game. If anything, he needs to take his play to another level when opponents rough him up, and his teammates have to let it be known they won't stand for anybody breathing too hard on their meal ticket. Look for Drew Gooden to play the role of enforcer.

Under the boards: The Cavs have outrebounded the Wizards in each of the first two games and have a whopping 11 1/2 rebounds-a-game advantage.

Countermove: The Wizards must control Gooden, who averages 13 rebounds despite playing less than 30 minutes a game, by getting a body on him. If Haywood and Etan Thomas aren't more productive in the rebounding department, the Cavs will continue to feast on the boards [emphasis added].

Not that this is necessarily the kind of impact Gooden will have with the Spurs... but it's fun to fantasize.

[Manufan909]

Don Harris said it came off the line in LA and they said that was the guy they HOPED SA wouldn't get...hmm...

I wonder why they feel that way. Gooden is no Sheed/Camby. I guess his post game is more potent than I thought.

[polandprzem]

Is he gonna beat Oberto in the rotation?

[bigdog]

Is he gonna beat Oberto in the rotation?

maybe. he could also play alongside oberto with fab at C and gooden at PF

[ducks]

pops center
gooden power foward
booner small foward

should make spur fans happy

[peskypesky]

Is he gonna beat Oberto in the rotation?

if he's healthy, no contest.

[Spursfan092120]

I wonder why they feel that way. Gooden is no Sheed/Camby. I guess his post game is more potent than I thought.

I think the reason is 13 and 8.

[manny]

I think we will all be surprised with just how well Gooden will do as a big man for the Spurs. We're not asking him to be an All-Star or anything like that. We just need him to grab some rebounds and help out in the paint. We don't need 20 and 10, just some help in the paint. Which is what he'll do. Drew Gooden finally has the chance to play with a superstar (Tim Duncan). Drew Gooden has never played with a superstar that makes his team better, so now is his chance to be a decent big man in the league.

wow Lebron James is not a superstar? you're an idiot if you don't think so.

and yes I made an account just to say this, great signing by the spurs FO you guys got a great deal, trust me.

[ducks]

on how many shots a game

[MI21]

Right now, I'm down with the Gooden signing. It's better than doing nothing.

Positives:

-Fantastic rebounder at both ends of the court. His offensive rebounds aren't tapouts either, they are tips ins and putbacks. He has a quick jump which helps him in this regard.

-Very good midrange jumpshot. When he came into the league he even played some 3. A pick n pop with Manu/Gooden when the benchies are on is going to be a pretty reliable offensive option.

-He runs the floor. Other than Timmy, who runs the floor very well, the Spurs bigs suck in this regard due to physical liabilities.

-He immeadiatly becomes the most athletic Spurs bigman. He isn't as athletic as when he started out due to extra weight/age and so on, but the guy can still suprise with athletic moves and dunks. Seeing Spurs fans wanted to make Pops Mensa-Bonsu the next Shawn Kemp after a basic 2 hand dunk, they may appreciate Drew's athleticism.

-He has a very positive, upbeat energy about him. He hustles. When things are going flat its always nice to have a guy who can bring energy to the crowd, to the team and to the game. Similar somewhat to Mario Elie of Stephen Jackson. I like having a guy like that around.

Negatives:

Defense. His man to man isn't to terrible, but he does really suck in terms of understanding rotations. I seen it a lot when he was with Cleveland. He gets the first rotation right and then looks as if he is happy with himself and forgets about the next rotation that is needed.

He doesn't block shots which is what we all love to have next to Timmy. He doesn't really intimidate or contest shots particularly well either.

He is/can be a black hole on the block or in face up situations. I think this is in part due to his crappy passing skills. But there is a good chance the ball isn't coming out if you dump it down low to Drew. He also has bad shot selection, often settling for fadeaway jumpers when better shots could be had.

All up though, you can't complain about this signing. There is no risk, but room for pretty high reward. In a perfect world, Drew really could be the solution to some of the Spurs patented offensive slumps.

Hill/Manu/Bowen/Gooden/Thomas can be a nice lineup with a decent mixture of offense and defense that can keep the Spurs in games when Tony is resting and Timmy is in foul trouble or needs a rest. Knowing Spurs fans, Drew will have a great first game and everyone will expect the 13/8 averages, but it isn't going to happen. 8/5 from Drew with passable defense would go a long way in helping the Spurs get back to the Finals.

[coyotes_geek]

Don't put words in my mouth. Especially when they are dip words like that. Of course they aren't going to totally quit double teaming Tim.

It means that they are going to have to pull off those double teams more often. It means that Tim will get some opportunities to re-post a few feet closer to the basket. It means that they will be using some fouls on Gooden that they won't be able to use on Duncan - which means more opposing bigs in foul trouble. It means that when they do double Duncan, he will have someone to pass to who can take it strong to the hole and finish.

No, it doesn't mean that teams are going to have to pull off double teams more often. It just means their decision where to bring the double teams from might change. Unless Gooden is going to be feeding a bunch of entry passes into Duncan he's more than likely going to be on the opposite side of the court meaning his man isn't in a position to go double Duncan anyways. Most of the double teams on Tim come from guards anyways. Gooden's presence would just reinforce that.

The difference between 2 and 5 FTA/48 is huge. It means a totally different level of aggressiveness around the rim. It means that teams are actually paying attention to him, rather than flashing to him as an afterthought.

Gooden's aggresiveness is a good thing. I agree with you. But that's not going to have some huge profound effect on how Duncan gets guarded, which was the only point I was trying to make. Doesn't matter whether it results in Gooden getting a good look at the rim or a perimeter guy getting a good look at a 3, doubling Tim Duncan is still going to be the lesser of the evils.

I never suggested that Drew Gooden is an all-star post player. But I've said for years that the one thing that would benefit Tim is having another guy who commands some attention in the low blocks. And the best measure of that is trips to the line. Because the 5 times that he actually draws a whistle are only the tip of the iceberg. And when they are forced to put a big body on someone other than Tim, it's going to open his game up more.

Now you're putting words in my mouth. I never said you suggested he was an all-star. He's a nice player, he'd help Tim. I agree with you.