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Drew Gooden talks BIG3 Championship game and retired life

By Nir Regev

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 22: Drew Gooden and Ice Cube attend the Build Series to discuss 'Big 3 Basketball League' at Build Studio on August 22, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 22: Drew Gooden and Ice Cube attend the Build Series to discuss 'Big 3 Basketball League' at Build Studio on August 22, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images) /
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FanSided spoke with Drew Gooden about his chances at tonight’s BIG3 Championship game and how post-NBA life has been like.

Drew Gooden spoke to FanSided about how fourth time might be the charm to finally win the championship in his career as he and 3’s Company face Power for the BIG3 Championship. Gooden has greatly enjoyed retired life and stated that unlike some of the BIG3’s roster, he doesn’t hope to return to the NBA.

An Oakland native, Gooden told FanSided, at heart he will always be a Golden State Warrior fan and simply in awe of what they’re doing on the court. A championship might finally be in the wings for Gooden if 3’s Company can defeat Power in tonight’s BIG3 Finals Championship game at Barclays Center at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

Watch FanSided’s interview with Drew Gooden or read a transcript of the conversation below.

FanSided.com [Nir Regev]: You’ve had NBA finals experience before and tomorrow you’re going to the Finals again. How do you prepare each time?

Drew Gooden: Yeah. Well you know what I’m 0-3 as a championship contender. High school, I lost in the State Championship. College I lost in the Final Four. NBA, I lost in the NBA Finals. It’s my fourth time attempt to win a championship. So hopefully I can get my first big championship.

Fourth time is the charm!

Yeah, well three times, you would think! But I guess it’s going to be four for me.

How do you stay in shape for the BIG3, post-NBA?

You know what, I’m completely retired and this is a league of guys that still are actively free agents or guys that have been playing overseas, last couple of years. I’m different than those two type of guys, I’m a full retired player in this league. So I have no aspirations of going back to playing in NBA. But I do try to work out as much as I can.

Has the BIG3 been an amazing experience for you?

It’s been a great experience for me. This is my first year doing it, I saw it last year and I was a fan. And to be involved in it this year is a joy.

What’s retired life like?

Unbelievable. It’s the best I ever felt in my life. I feel like I had a break in basketball. Basketball has given me a great life. I mean I got to see a lot of the world and have a lot of experiences so I’m thankful for that.

You’re from Oakland originally, are you still a Golden State Warriors fan?

Yeah, I mean I used to be a Golden State Warriors fan. Now I’m more in awe of what they’re doing. I’m a little biased because I ended up playing in the NBA but deep down I’ll always be a Golden State Warriors fan.

Next. BIG3 Championship game preview: Power Vs. 3’s Company. dark

Be sure to watch the BIG3’s Championship game between Power and 3’s Company from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York airing Friday, Aug. 24 on FOX at 8 p.m. ET. There will be a third place matchup between Tri-State and the 3 Headed Monsters with the Championship game immediately following.

Tickets are still available on Ticketmaster for those local to the area. Ice Cube will give a special performance to fans in the arena at 6:30 p.m. ET prior to the games.