Betrayal has reared its head many times for Cleveland sports fans. Albert Belle, Manny Ramirez, and Jim Thome all left the Indians for greater riches elsewhere. The treacherous traitor Art Model took their beloved Browns off to Baltimore. And, just this summer, the latest infidelity occurred when Carlos Boozer took Utah’s cash and left the Cavaliers organization and fan base in a state of shock.
Cavaliers GM Jim Paxson took a lot of heat from fans and media for letting Boozer slip away, but he didn’t take long to try and rectify the situation, acquiring former first round pick Drew Gooden from Orlando for Tony Battie and two future second round picks.
“I was excited and was jumping up and down,” Gooden said after learning of his trade to Cleveland, “I know they said they were happy to have me here, but I was more happy to be coming here.”
Gooden faces two main issues in his debut season with the Cavaliers. First, Gooden will most likely be replacing Carlos Boozer in the Cavaliers starting lineup. Boozer averaged 15.5 points a game last season, good for second on the team behind Rookie of the Year LeBron James.
Gooden only averaged 11.6 points per game last year; however, he was mostly a reserve for the Magic and didn’t see as much playing time as Boozer. Cavaliers head coach Paul Silas said he has liked what he has seen so far of Gooden’s scoring ability.
“He shoots it extremely well, has a good post up game, and runs the floor well,” Silas said. “He’s just a basketball player. He’s just a very, very good athlete. In time, I expect him to be a very good player.”
James said he likes what he has seen so far too.
“He’s explosive,” James said. “I didn’t know he was this explosive until I started practicing with him. He can shoot the ball, too.”
The second issue Gooden faces is being able to rebound like the departed turncoat. Boozer averaged 11.4 rebounds a game last season, Gooden only managed 6.5.
Gooden said he knows his ability to rebound will be very important for this team.
“Energy and rebounding are the two main things I want to do,” Gooden said. “Finish at the basket, bring energy, and rebound the basketball.”
Gooden pointed out his lack of playing time and the problems of his old team.
“Rebounds come with minutes and getting stops on the defensive end,” Gooden said. ” I think last year, being on the Orlando Magic, we we’re the worst defensive team in the NBA and my minutes were inconsistent.”
Cavaliers teammate Eric Snow said he agrees that Gooden can get it done on the glass.
“He’s a better rebounder than people give him credit for,” Snow said. “I think he is going to be a great addition.”
Silas expects Gooden to be a solid rebounder.
“I expect him to rebound, he understands that,” Silas said. “He is going back to his natural position which is the four, near the basket. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t be able to rebound well.”
While the majority of fans are hoping for Gooden to replace Boozer not only in the starting lineup, but also on the stat sheet, Cavaliers’ point guard Jeff McInnis said he sees it differently.
“We don’t need (Gooden) to be like Boozer,” McInnis said. “We need him to be Drew, to get rebounds and help us win games. It doesn’t matter if he gets 20 (points) and 10 (rebounds) a night, it just matters that the Cavs are winning. If he can play alongside (Zydrunas Ilgauskas) like Boozer did then we don’t have a problem. I’m confident he can do that.”
Cavs fans are left to rely on Gooden to replace their memories of Boozer with solid play of his own.
When asked what he will do to make fans forget about Boozer, Gooden said with confidence, “Once I play my first couple games, man, I think fans will see what I bring to the table.”
