Gooden commits to signing with Spurs

[jrmp317]

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.

very well put

[SouthTexasRancher]

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

About time, eh! Now if we could somehow get Kobe, LeBron and Howard to come to the Spurs ... damn, I've had too many cups of Columbian Java!

Gooden just might be what the doctor ordered for the playoffs! Especially with a healthy Manu!

[Raoul Duke]

cool.

hey banzai, what the is going on in that sig of yours?

[21GoSpursGo9]

How serious can this hernia injury be? If he needs surgery, how long does it take to recover?

[Solid D]

Excellent post, MI21. Your point about Gooden making the 1st rotation and then getting happy with himself is the very way to get himself sitting next to Jacque Vaughn. He was not one of LeBron's favorite guys, apparently, due to Gooden frequently being out of position, not to mention Gooden's friendship with DeShawn Stevenson.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

At first I was totally psyched....after reading about his injury problems, I realize this is nothing more than a token gesture and wishful thinking.

Lame.

[Rapper]

This is the most powerful signing in the history of San Antonio Spurs

[gmanrulz]

did they say whos getting cut?

[angelbelow]

did they say whos getting cut?

probably gonna be pops... hes the most expendable..

[senorglory]

he does really suck in terms of understanding rotations...He also has bad shot selection, often settling for fadeaway jumpers when better shots could be had.

Excellent post, MI21. Your point about Gooden making the 1st rotation and then getting happy with himself is the very way to get himself sitting next to Jacque Vaughn. He was not one of LeBron's favorite guys, apparently, due to Gooden frequently being out of position

agreed, agreed. failure to rotate properly + poor shot selection will get you banninated to Pop's doghouse pretty quick.

[phyzik]

This is the most powerful signing in the history of San Antonio Spurs

no its not.

Gooden is a good player, he will help against the Fakers but its still not a lock for a win. Its definately not the greatest signing of the Spurs but still, a good one in recent history. It might be up there in the top 5 as far as the Spurs go, but its not the greatest.

[crc21209]

Theres this feeling in me that says his injury isnt that serious.

[SequSpur]

udoka

[Spursfan092120]

If the injury would keep him injured for a while or keep him out of the lineup in the playoffs, I don't think they would have signed him.

[crc21209]

If the injury would keep him injured for a while or keep him out of the lineup in the playoffs, I don't think they would have signed him.

That's what I thought too, and said also.

[LakerLanny]

Not sure Gooden could even make the Lakers powerful roster.

But good for you!

[Yorae]

His injury is probably not that bad. Else FO wouldn't have signed him.

[m33p0]

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.

thanks for the input.

[rogcl1]

Drew Gooden

PPG 13.1
RPG 8.7
APG 1.4
SPG 0.8
BPG 0.4

Matt Bonner

PPG 8.8
RPG 4.9
APG 1.1
SPG 0.6
BPG 0.3


A starting center who averages less than 5 rebounds a game, can't score in the post, can't even average double digit scoring, is completely unathletic, slow, can't jump, isn't even in the right place for rotations and whose sole virtue is that he can hit the 3

vs a consistent starting power forward who would free Tim up in the post as a consistent scoring threat, who is more athletic, nearly averages a double double--


I hope you're joking-- because it is seriously stupid to believe that Matt Bonner is as good a player or a better player than Drew Gooden.

Bonner has done a good job this year. He has been playing to his strength and playing the role envisioned for him. He is not a bruising post up player, but that is not what is always needed for the Spurs to succeed. His value to the team is to spread the floor and make room for Duncan, Parker ect. to operate. Players like Gooden have different strengths and provide other options than Bonner in certain situations and matchups. The different strengths of these two guys certainly can be beneficial to the Spurs depending on opponents , matchups and game situations.

[Spursfan092120]

If the injury would keep him injured for a while or keep him out of the lineup in the playoffs, I don't think they would have signed him.

That's what I thought too, and said also.

His injury is probably not that bad. Else FO wouldn't have signed him.

So we're all in agreement..lol

[Spursfan092120]

Not sure Gooden could even make the Lakers powerful roster.

But good for you!

Your "powerful" Lakers tried to sign him at the last minute, d-bag....he chose us instead. And then the wire in LA said that he was the one guy they were hoping we wouldn't get. See you in the WCF.

[mfanatic]

you guys do understand that this is the best post player since Robinson to play with Duncan right..

[peskypesky]

you guys do understand that this is the best post player since Robinson to play with Duncan right..

damn straight.

[Spur|n|Austin]

you guys do understand that this is the best post player since Robinson to play with Duncan right..

Tough to say without seeing him play in the system yet, but yes it just possibly could be..

GSG!

[dav4463]

I like him. He has a Spurs mentality. He plays tough defense and is not selfish. He just does his job. That's exactly the kind of player we need.