For much of the year, coach Scott Skiles has relegated Drew Gooden to the end of the bench, the 15th man among fifteen men. When John Henson recovered from his preseason knee injury and the Bucks had 14 healthy bodies for the game in Washington, Skiles made Gooden an inactive player for the first time in his career. As Skiles put it, “I just thought that a couple other guys played better (in the preseason).” Gooden hadn’t played a minute of the season to that point.
And so it went for a long stretch until the Bucks got bitten by the injury bug. In a win this week over Sacramento, Gooden grabbed 10 rebounds. His enthusiasm gave the Bucks an energy boost that they were lacking against an awful (and depleted) Kings team.
He can help an NBA team this year. It may even be the Bucks.
Drew Gooden is not my punchline. He’s not your punchline. He’s not anyone’s punchline. He’s a bona fide NBA player.
But damnit, the guy is photogenic (and he has a good sense of humor). So without any further blabber, here for your enjoyment are the thirteen most Drew Gooden photos of Drew Gooden for the year MMXII.
Honorable mention #3: “Even Phoenix can get cold in January.”
Jan. 8, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Drew Gooden (center) and guard Stephen Jackson (right) react on the bench while playing against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at the US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Bucks 109-93. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports.
Honorable mention #2: “Hey Luke! I just found the one guy in the League who’s more Caucasian than you. I think he used to be on my team too.”
Nov 3, 2012; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Drew Gooden (0) (center) talks with Cleveland Cavaliers forward Luke Walton (4) (left) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Jon Leuer (30) (right) prior to the game at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Honorable mention #3: “Who wants to play basketball? We’ll play basketball first, then have a snack, ok?”
Dec 12, 2012; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Drew Gooden (0) during the game against the Sacramento Kings at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Bucks won 98-85. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
The Top Ten
10) Overreaction
Really, what person could contain himself when Austin Daye — THE Austin Daye — is blowing sweet nothings in your ear.
Oct 13, 2012; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Drew Gooden (0) looks for a shot against Detroit Pistons forward Austin Daye (5) at the Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
9) Rules violation #1
Not NBA rules, per se, but “respect for other men” rules. If you’re not sure why, check out the location of Drew’s left foot.
Mar 30, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Milwaukee Bucks power forward Drew Gooden (0) shoots over Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson (13) in the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
8) Rules violation #2
If I understand it correctly, one can get a defensive goaltending call for grabbing the rim or smacking the backboard as an opponent tries to make a shot. Drew does both.
Mar 12, 2012; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Nets power forward Kris Humphries (43) and Milwaukee Bucks power forward Drew Gooden (0) battle for rebound at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
7) “AND ONE!”
Where is the ball going? How did it get there?
March 3, 2012; Orlando FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) defends Milwaukee Bucks power forward Drew Gooden (0) during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 111-98. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
6) “Here comes the ball. EEK!”
I think Jameer Nelson is trying to start a tickle fight with Ersan.
Also, this pic is from the same Orlando game as the one above. It was a banner episode of ‘photogenicity’. I could have chosen ten pics from this game alone.
March 3, 2012; Orlando FL, USA; Orlando Magic power forward Ryan Anderson (33) and Milwaukee Bucks power forward Drew Gooden (0) go after the loose ball during the first half at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
5) “This #77 guy looks familiar. Let me get a better look at him, and then I’ll tell you if the two of us ever played on the same team together or not.”
Despite playing for a combined 16 teams, Drew Gooden and Vlad Radmanovic have never been actual teammates.
Mar 3, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks power forward Vladimir Radmanovic (77) is fouled by Milwaukee Bucks power forward Drew Gooden (0) late in the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 99-94. Mandatory Credit: Paul Abell-USA TODAY Sports
4) “C’mon, Brandon. This party sucks. We’re going home. “
Gooden helped Brandon Jennings up after Jennings missed a potential game-tying shot in a loss to the Kings. The sad faces are because the Bucks blew a 21-point halftime lead to add another dagger to a brutal January road trip.
This pic is also the best representation of skinny Drew, who shocked every Bucks follower by showing up after the lockout clean-shaven and 35 pounds lighter.
January 5, 2012; Sacramento, CA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Brandon Jennings (left) is helped off the court by forward Drew Gooden (0) after Jennings missed the final shot of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Power Balance Pavilion. The Kings defeated the Bucks 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
4) Gooden helps Jennings up again.
Look at those crappy Under Armour shoes Brandon is wearing. Hard to fathom getting a sprained ankle in those, eh?
Also, Drew Gooden’s suit is unsurprisingly awesome.
Nov 24, 2012; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Brandon Jennings (3) is helped off the court after being injured during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bulls at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Bulls defeated the Bucks 93-86. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
2) “This…THIS is how you make triple-doubles.”
This Joe Montana-like pass did, in fact, lead to a basket, but his actual triple double against Cleveland wouldn’t happen for another month.
February 10, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA: Milwaukee Bucks power forward Drew Gooden (0) passes the ball during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric P. Mull-USPRESSWIRE
1) The winning smile.
Drew Gooden is awesome.
Feb 7, 2012; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Drew Gooden (0) reacts after missing a shot during the first quarter against the Phoenix Suns at the Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
For more photos of Drew Gooden, follow him on Twitter. Each week he’ll put up a pic that is beyond words.