Cleveland Cavaliers forward Drew Gooden was born in Oakland, California. He finished his three-year University of Kansas basketball career with averages of 15.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. In the NBA, he previously played for the Grizzlies and Magic. InsideHoops.com met with the 6-10, 240-pound Gooden in Madison Square Garden, after a defeat at the hands of the New York Knicks, for a quick interview.

InsideHoops.com: Talk about the Cavs. You're off to a streaky start.

Drew Gooden: We're 6-4 now. First ten games, we're two games above .500. We'd love to have gotten this one tonight, put us over the hump, but couldn't get it, couldn't fight back. But other than that, the season's going well.

InsideHoops.com: You're finally getting a chance, this season, to show what you can do.

Drew Gooden: Yeah, I'm very excited. This is my first time getting consecutive minutes, being out there playing a lot. I think playing at the four is very helpful too, because that's my natural position. I'm not playing like three different positions.

InsideHoops.com: In the past, not only were you not getting played consistent minutes, but you didn't have a clear role.

Drew Gooden: Exactly. That's how it was. That's how it's been my whole career. I would play the two, the three, the four and the five. I think it's better now that I'm just at the four, and building a foundation at the four.

InsideHoops.com: What did the Cavs tell you to do for this team?

Drew Gooden: Energy and rebounding, and playing defense is my role on this team.