Drew Gooden to get "used a lot"

Why Gooden will get big minutes with Bulls

In a contract year, these are the words any player wants to hear. "He's going to be used a lot," Vinny Del Negro said. The Bulls' coach was referring to Drew Gooden, who, other than journeyman Michael Ruffin, is the only veteran frontcourt player at training camp. But Gooden, entering the final year of a three-year, $23 million contract he signed with Cleveland, insists he is focused on nothing but winning. "Nah, nah, nah, I'm not thinking about my contract," Gooden said. "I've been in this position before, and I put too much pressure on myself that time. This time I know if I play my [butt] off, things will take care of themselves." It's sometimes easy to forget that Gooden averaged 14.0 points and 9.3 rebounds in 18 games with the Bulls last season, including a 31-point, 16-rebound effort against Atlanta. That's because Gooden, acquired in the Ben Wallace trade, sat the final 10 games with a strained abdomen. Gooden insists that injury is old news after an off-season trip to Vancouver, home of noted sports physiotherapist Alex McKechnie, who has worked with NBA, NFL and NHL players. After several weeks of core-strengthening work with McKechnie, Gooden claims he's in the best shape of his seven-year career.

Salty's Thoughts: Drew Gooden takes plays and games off. That's reality. Want another dose of reality? Vinny Del Negro is good on fair fries. Take that to the bank.