Today's installment of meet your Cleveland Cavaliers features a fan favorite, Daniel "Booby" Gibson. Like the Cavs, Mr. Gibson is taking the new look approach by dropping the "ie" and going with the "y". So remember, it's "Booby" not "Boobie".
Where Daniel came from:
Born in Houston, Texas in 1986, Gibson attended high school in Texas and went on to play his college ball for the Texas Longhorns, before being drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 42nd pick in the second round in the 2006 NBA draft. Daniel is heading into his fifth season as a Cleveland Cavalier.
Daniel has spent his entire NBA career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he has averaged 7.3 points and 1.7 assists per game. During his rookie season, Gibson averaged 4.6 PPG and led all NBA rookies in three point percentage at 41.9%. In July 2008, the Cavaliers signed Gibson to a five-year, $21 million dollar deal. He is currently headed in to the third year of his existing contract.
What Daniel has achieved:
The 2006-2007 Eastern Conference Finals allowed Gibson the opportunity to shine, in which he took full advantage. After scoring 9 points against the Pistons in Game 3, he came into his own, scoring 21 points in Game 4 and "going off" in Game 6 with 31 points, 19 of those coming in the forth quarter.
The 2007-2008 season, would prove to be Gibson's best overall performance to date. During that year, he averaged 10.4 points and 2.5 assists per game and played in 58 total games.
Although he has not yet been selected to the Eastern Conference All-Star team, he did participate in the three point shooting competition that year, claming second place behind Dirk Nowitzki. He was also awarded the NBA Rookie Challenge MVP award that year (sophomore team).
Gibson scored his 1000th point as a Cavalier on November 26, 2008 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
What can we expect to see from Daniel in the coming season:
One thing we know as Cavalier fans is Gibson can flat out shoot the basketball. Points can pile up quick when the Cavaliers find a way to get Gibson open, either in transition or in the half court. We all expect an up tempo offense under Byron Scott, so the ability to keep the defense on their heels will help Booby pull up for the open jumper in transition. Gibson proved during the 2006-2007 playoffs that he loves to perform on the big stage. Lets hope he has reached the point in his career, where he is ready to step into a leadership role and become a scoring threat night in and night out.