How is my Pick 2 team?

[KCattheStripe]

PG: Calderon
Wings: Deng Gay
PF: Bass
Center: Gasol

Bench: Lee , McGee

We're already better than the Grizz, because we have a bench.

Having a young talent like McGee off the bench is truly a luxury.

Does Lee make either Gay or Deng expendable?

I wonder if a package of McGee, one of the Gay/Deng duo, and Calderon could land you an elite PG and bench help.

The combination of Deng + Gay on the wing is this team's greatest strength. Particularly on the defensive end of the floor.

I would be very reluctant to break that up.

Yeah, I don't think Lee makes Deng or Gay expendable as much as he allows that duo to function. I actually think Gay/Deng/Lee make a phenomenal 3 headed monster even defensively.

[indeedproceed]

So, no thoughts on the Drew Gooden selection?

I think a 3 man rotation of Ibaka/Bogut/Gooden is a great mix of defense and scoring potential. Ibaka is becoming a very effective midrange shooter and finisher, but he's not really a potent offensive weapon, at least not a guy you can count on for 15-17ppg yet, partly because he's not the most willing to look for his own shot in OKC (although how much of that is a personal prerogative compared to the just a supply problem because of the volume that Durant and Westbrook score is unknown), and also partly because he's averaging 6 fouls per 48 mins.

Gooden is a more versatile scorer, having both a midrange J and post move arsenal, but he's nowhere near the defensive stalwart that Ibaka is. They both though rebound at a rate that puts them in the top 30 PF's in the league.

Both players can also play the 5 in different situations, and both players can play the 4, so it makes my frontcourt a pretty good matchup against any 4/5 combo in the league.

[wdleehi]

So, no thoughts on the Drew Gooden selection?

I think a 3 man rotation of Ibaka/Bogut/Gooden is a great mix of defense and scoring potential. Ibaka is becoming a very effective midrange shooter and finisher, but he's not really a potent offensive weapon, at least not a guy you can count on for 15-17ppg yet, partly because he's not the most willing to look for his own shot in OKC (although how much of that is a personal prerogative compared to the just a supply problem because of the volume that Durant and Westbrook score is unknown), and also partly because he's averaging 6 fouls per 48 mins.

Gooden is a more versatile scorer, having both a midrange J and post move arsenal, but he's nowhere near the defensive stalwart that Ibaka is. They both though rebound at a rate that puts them in the top 30 PF's in the league.

Both players can also play the 5 in different situations, and both players can play the 4, so it makes my frontcourt a pretty good matchup against any 4/5 combo in the league.

I thought he was shot?

[indeedproceed]

So, no thoughts on the Drew Gooden selection?

I think a 3 man rotation of Ibaka/Bogut/Gooden is a great mix of defense and scoring potential. Ibaka is becoming a very effective midrange shooter and finisher, but he's not really a potent offensive weapon, at least not a guy you can count on for 15-17ppg yet, partly because he's not the most willing to look for his own shot in OKC (although how much of that is a personal prerogative compared to the just a supply problem because of the volume that Durant and Westbrook score is unknown), and also partly because he's averaging 6 fouls per 48 mins.

Gooden is a more versatile scorer, having both a midrange J and post move arsenal, but he's nowhere near the defensive stalwart that Ibaka is. They both though rebound at a rate that puts them in the top 30 PF's in the league.

Both players can also play the 5 in different situations, and both players can play the 4, so it makes my frontcourt a pretty good matchup against any 4/5 combo in the league.

I thought he was shot?

Gooden? You mean like Who Shot JR shot or Jermaine O'Neal shot?

[wdleehi]

So, no thoughts on the Drew Gooden selection?

I think a 3 man rotation of Ibaka/Bogut/Gooden is a great mix of defense and scoring potential. Ibaka is becoming a very effective midrange shooter and finisher, but he's not really a potent offensive weapon, at least not a guy you can count on for 15-17ppg yet, partly because he's not the most willing to look for his own shot in OKC (although how much of that is a personal prerogative compared to the just a supply problem because of the volume that Durant and Westbrook score is unknown), and also partly because he's averaging 6 fouls per 48 mins.

Gooden is a more versatile scorer, having both a midrange J and post move arsenal, but he's nowhere near the defensive stalwart that Ibaka is. They both though rebound at a rate that puts them in the top 30 PF's in the league.

Both players can also play the 5 in different situations, and both players can play the 4, so it makes my frontcourt a pretty good matchup against any 4/5 combo in the league.

I thought he was shot?

Gooden? You mean like Who Shot JR shot or Jermaine O'Neal shot?

JO shot. 

[indeedproceed]

Well, he's 29 years old, and his per minute production this year is right in line with his last 4 years or so.

This year he's been hindered by plantar fascitis, but last season he played 70 games at around 25 a clip. He just hasn't been able to rest his foot this year for the time he's going to need because of injuries to the Bucks' front line. But, they just said he's out 4-6 weeks, and they're shipping him to LA for treatment so maybe he'll bounce back with the proper medical aid he needed.

[Who]

Both players can also play the 5 in different situations, and both players can play the 4, so it makes my frontcourt a pretty good matchup against any 4/5 combo in the league.

Drew Gooden cannot play the five (too weak defensively but individually and as a help defender) but Ibaka can so you'll be fine with them as a combination.

Drew Gooden needs to be kept in the power forward position to maximize his talent.

[indeedproceed]

Both players can also play the 5 in different situations, and both players can play the 4, so it makes my frontcourt a pretty good matchup against any 4/5 combo in the league.

Drew Gooden cannot play the five (too weak defensively but individually and as a help defender) but Ibaka can so you'll be fine with them as a combination.

Drew Gooden needs to be kept in the power forward position to maximize his talent.

Gooden has nearly split his time in Milwaukee between the 4/5, mostly 4 in LA, and he played almost exclusively at the 5 in Dallas.

Here is what Hollinger says:

For the first time in his career last season, Gooden played the majority of his minutes at center, and he's bulked up enough to hold his own on that spot. In fact, he nearly set a career high in rebound rate and finished seventh in the NBA in offensive rebound rate.

Gooden also has made tremendous progress as a shooter, with his 86.1 percent mark from the free throw line ranking first among centers. It was his second straight season in the mid-80s from the stripe, and he knocked down 45.2 percent of his long-distance 2s as well.

Choosing his spots better might be part of the reason. Gooden switched from taking 39 percent of his shots in the basket area in 2008-09 to 62.8 percent last season; the only reason his field goal percentage didn't increase more is because he shot dreadfully on "in-between" shots. Normally a solid shooter from this range, he made only 31.1 percent.

Gooden probably will drift back toward the perimeter in Milwaukee, where he figures to play more at power forward than at center, but at either position he's one of the league's more underrated players right now.

[Who]

Both players can also play the 5 in different situations, and both players can play the 4, so it makes my frontcourt a pretty good matchup against any 4/5 combo in the league.

Drew Gooden cannot play the five (too weak defensively but individually and as a help defender) but Ibaka can so you'll be fine with them as a combination.

Drew Gooden needs to be kept in the power forward position to maximize his talent.

Gooden has nearly split his time in Milwaukee between the 4/5, mostly 4 in LA, and he played almost exclusively at the 5 in Dallas.

Here is what Hollinger says:

For the first time in his career last season, Gooden played the majority of his minutes at center, and he's bulked up enough to hold his own on that spot. In fact, he nearly set a career high in rebound rate and finished seventh in the NBA in offensive rebound rate.

Gooden also has made tremendous progress as a shooter, with his 86.1 percent mark from the free throw line ranking first among centers. It was his second straight season in the mid-80s from the stripe, and he knocked down 45.2 percent of his long-distance 2s as well.

Choosing his spots better might be part of the reason. Gooden switched from taking 39 percent of his shots in the basket area in 2008-09 to 62.8 percent last season; the only reason his field goal percentage didn't increase more is because he shot dreadfully on "in-between" shots. Normally a solid shooter from this range, he made only 31.1 percent.

Gooden probably will drift back toward the perimeter in Milwaukee, where he figures to play more at power forward than at center, but at either position he's one of the league's more underrated players right now.

Look at the opponent stats for Gooden while at center + the lineup's overall effectiveness defensively with Gooden at center.

The results are overwhelmingly negative. He does far more harm than good to his team when used as a center.

Drew Gooden is incapable of providing adequate individual or team defense as an NBA center. He is a massive defensive liability there.

[indeedproceed]

Both players can also play the 5 in different situations, and both players can play the 4, so it makes my frontcourt a pretty good matchup against any 4/5 combo in the league.

Drew Gooden cannot play the five (too weak defensively but individually and as a help defender) but Ibaka can so you'll be fine with them as a combination.

Drew Gooden needs to be kept in the power forward position to maximize his talent.

Gooden has nearly split his time in Milwaukee between the 4/5, mostly 4 in LA, and he played almost exclusively at the 5 in Dallas.

Here is what Hollinger says:

For the first time in his career last season, Gooden played the majority of his minutes at center, and he's bulked up enough to hold his own on that spot. In fact, he nearly set a career high in rebound rate and finished seventh in the NBA in offensive rebound rate.

Gooden also has made tremendous progress as a shooter, with his 86.1 percent mark from the free throw line ranking first among centers. It was his second straight season in the mid-80s from the stripe, and he knocked down 45.2 percent of his long-distance 2s as well.

Choosing his spots better might be part of the reason. Gooden switched from taking 39 percent of his shots in the basket area in 2008-09 to 62.8 percent last season; the only reason his field goal percentage didn't increase more is because he shot dreadfully on "in-between" shots. Normally a solid shooter from this range, he made only 31.1 percent.

Gooden probably will drift back toward the perimeter in Milwaukee, where he figures to play more at power forward than at center, but at either position he's one of the league's more underrated players right now.

Look at the opponent stats for Gooden while at center + the lineup's overall effectiveness defensively with Gooden at center.

The results are overwhelmingly negative. He does far more harm than good to his team when used as a center.

Drew Gooden is incapable of providing adequate individual or team defense as an NBA center. He is a massive defensive liability there.

As a starting center I think he's a poor choice, I don't see why he couldn't defend 2nd unit centers though.

Kind of moot point though I guess because he'll never be out there without one of Ibaka/Bogut anyways.

[Rondo2287]

Both players can also play the 5 in different situations, and both players can play the 4, so it makes my frontcourt a pretty good matchup against any 4/5 combo in the league.

Drew Gooden cannot play the five (too weak defensively but individually and as a help defender) but Ibaka can so you'll be fine with them as a combination.

Drew Gooden needs to be kept in the power forward position to maximize his talent.

Gooden has nearly split his time in Milwaukee between the 4/5, mostly 4 in LA, and he played almost exclusively at the 5 in Dallas.

Here is what Hollinger says:

For the first time in his career last season, Gooden played the majority of his minutes at center, and he's bulked up enough to hold his own on that spot. In fact, he nearly set a career high in rebound rate and finished seventh in the NBA in offensive rebound rate.

Gooden also has made tremendous progress as a shooter, with his 86.1 percent mark from the free throw line ranking first among centers. It was his second straight season in the mid-80s from the stripe, and he knocked down 45.2 percent of his long-distance 2s as well.

Choosing his spots better might be part of the reason. Gooden switched from taking 39 percent of his shots in the basket area in 2008-09 to 62.8 percent last season; the only reason his field goal percentage didn't increase more is because he shot dreadfully on "in-between" shots. Normally a solid shooter from this range, he made only 31.1 percent.

Gooden probably will drift back toward the perimeter in Milwaukee, where he figures to play more at power forward than at center, but at either position he's one of the league's more underrated players right now.

Look at the opponent stats for Gooden while at center + the lineup's overall effectiveness defensively with Gooden at center.

The results are overwhelmingly negative. He does far more harm than good to his team when used as a center.

Drew Gooden is incapable of providing adequate individual or team defense as an NBA center. He is a massive defensive liability there.

Can I ask what makes you say this? have you watched a great deal of film including what happens when Gooden try's to defend other teams centers?  For instance when watching the milwaukee Bucks this year have you scene Gooden try to defend a center and seen him overpowered or not long enough to contest a shot?  Box score watching can only go so far. 

[Rondo2287]

 s

[indeedproceed]

Am I missing something or did you just quote yourself without adding anything?

Ah, I am not missing anything.

[Edgar]

one of my 3 pgs/sgs is for sale

if you are in need of a floor general
come here and offer a good athletic sf/PF picked before pg
I will consider

[Who]

Can I ask what makes you say this? have you watched a great deal of film including what happens when Gooden try's to defend other teams centers?  For instance when watching the milwaukee Bucks this year have you scene Gooden try to defend a center and seen him overpowered or not long enough to contest a shot?  Box score watching can only go so far. 

Yes, I have watched him in Milwaukee + the Clippers + the Bulls + Mavericks + Spurs + Cavs + Magic going all the way back to his rookie season in Memphis.

The problem has consistent throughout his career. His main problem in individual defense is his lack of power making him vulnerable against players with bigger size. They push him around, get deep position in the paint and higher percentage shots as a result.

However, the man-to-man defense is not the biggest problem with Gooden. It's his team defense. He is frequently out of position, late on defensive rotations and provides no shot-blocking presence at the basket.

When Gooden is in the game, perimeter players on dribble penetration can frequently get high percentage shots at the rim because he was too late or in an poor position to properly contest the shot. His poor defensive positioning also leads to bountiful opportunities for perimeter slashers to dump the ball off to big men rolling to the basket for easy garbage baskets.

Drew Gooden is wholly inadequate to be a team's last line of defense because of his atrocious team defense. They could live with his weak man-to-man D, especially against lesser offensive threats, if he played solid team defense ... but that is simply not the case.

In order to allow Drew Gooden to be (somewhat) effective, Gooden needs to be kept at the power forward position alongside someone who is an above average defender and is preferably a shot-blocking presence.