and worry/hope as well about Gooden in every which way you discussed him.

This season is a mess fan-wise.

But I heard him interviewed the other day, and it was pretty clear he’s coming back sooner to help his chances of getting a decent contract SOMEWHERE in the offseason.

Not that it’s a huge deal for this team, unless (as you point out) it’s stunting the growth of the young bigs on the roster.

I think he can be an effective rebounder and scorer off the bench and might even fit into the long term plan. Let’s see how he meshes with the other guys and see how he plays through pain. In this market, Gooden is going to have a hard time getting a major contract from anyone so he might want to stay around for another year on the cheap and then hop into the 2010 party as a plan B player when teams miss out on the big boys. I know for certain that Gooden is a better player than Moore and Thomas, I just wonder if Diagu or Simmons might have some talent and this all but eliminates any minutes they may have gotten. I’m not worried about Shock and Hawes, they are going to get their minutes and JT is going to need a lighter load down the stretch.

I think will be a good fit for us. He has a bit of a mid-range game. Is a very solid rebounder. Plays decent D (let us remember that in cleveland he combined with Z and Sideshow Bob to be one of the best defensive frontlines in the NBA) He takes charges (ala Moore) and is willing to do the dirty work, he is not a Superstar or but could be a border-line/fringe all-star kinda guy. Mostly from everything I have read about Gooden as a player, he is a great team-mate and Petrie has been wanting him on our roster for a while now. Hopefully he works out for us and we can sign him to a decent deal. Nothing extravagant but is Hawes and JT and Gooden is our fronline i think that gives us a LOT of versatility and we are still young. This would be post-scoring, Mid Range, Shot Blocking, Rebounding it would be the total package. Good move for us IMO.

I agree w/ just about everthing TZ stated about Gooden. I don’t (think I) want him to be signed to a long-term k with the Kings, because it would presumably be at about the MLE price tag. Also, I don’t want him taking minutes from Shock & Hawes. But a lot can happen between now and next season (such as drafting Blake Griffin) that would have significant impacts on the situation. Also, I supposed if Gooden is taking minutes for our young bigs, it’s because he can play better, and I usually prefer that the best player plays. If, however, Gooden is getting minutes because Natt has a hard-on for him, I really, REALLY, don’t like that.

Secondly, while I do like the prospect of Gooden creating a “bigger” line-up and maybe increasing the chances of winning games, I recognize that this season is a lost one. Rather than winning meaningless games, I would prefer to secure the chance of a better draft pick by continuing to lose.

It’s all about the future Kings.

I think he’ll be a good fit for us and there is the off chance Petrie signs him, although I doubt it.

This guy could be a rebounder off the bench for JT or Hawes. He’s seen time at center and gives us another legitimate big man. He can help especially when one of them gets in foul trouble like JT has gotten into lately. Won’t be re-signed though but he can help now.

I feel like Gooden got a bad rap playing in a bad system (or several bad systems, as it may be) in Chicago. I think he can be productive this season, but I would still prefer not to see him re-signed at season end. Maybe that changes after watching him, but that’s my opinion right now.

they play Noc and Gooden at the 4/5.

perhaps that only happens with a Bulls coach.

You’re right that Gooden is fairly skilled and should help. Two problems (since most of what I have is bile for the departed, apparently): he spaces on defense, a lot. Not playing him at center will make this less of an issue though.

And on offense, it’s apparent that (perhaps only as a quest for a contract) Drew Gooden thinks Drew Gooden is very good. He can actually do damage when isolated on the block. But other times he catches the ball up top and tries to do Amare-esque things, without Amare-esque results.

Don’t know why people don’t even want to see Shock at 5 ….
Udrih, Martin, Nocioni, Gooden and Thompson would be interesting.
then Jackson, McCants, Garcia, Thompson/Nocioni and Hawes as a second unit.

Cisco and Nocioni won’t have to be scattered all around the court. Cisco won’t have to backup Martin at times or play too much PG. And Nocioni won’t have to guard bigger PFs.

I think Gooden can also backup Hawes from time to time instead of just cutting JT’s minutes.

we have our good seats for this one.

First time in a while I’ve looked forward – rather than somewhat dreading it.

giving the Kings a different look offensively. JT and Hawes like to go inside and that’s fine with me. They’ve certainly got to bring it hard to the other team’s frontline for Martin, Garcia, Beno and Noce to find shooting space.

Gooden is a bit like Brad Miller, being a big man who can hit the midrange J. He’s an adequate defender (after all, who can really shut down KG and TD?) and a good rebounder at the PF position. His stints as a center aren’t as good but he’ll be an ok option if we’re really bleeding inside.

Diogu can do.

Gooden is a known commodity and is going to be both too pricey and not good enough to resign. Let’s focus on paying mediocre money (no more than $2-$3 mil per year) for mediocre players and save our wampum for an impact player at some point, not another MLE type.

until then, can’t say. MLE,

seeing a real PF in a Kings uniform again tonight

just sayin’