Summer Forecast: Worst Newcomer

[duncan228]

* The SpursTalk thread with Best Newcomers is here (http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133920).

Summer Forecast: Worst newcomer (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=OffseasonPredictions09-WorstNewcomer)

On Tuesday, we broke down which players we think will have the biggest impact in 2009-10. Today, we ask: Who will be the worst newcomer this season?

Here's the voting breakdown:

2009-10 predictions: Worst newcomer

RANK PLAYER VOTES

1
Zach Randolph
Power forward
Memphis Grizzlies
Last season
New York/L.A. Clippers
20.8 ppg, 10.1 rpg
12

T-2
Ron Artest
Small forward
Los Angeles Lakers
Last season
Houston Rockets
17.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg
6

T-2
Rasheed Wallace
Power forward
Boston Celtics
Last season
Detroit Pistons
12 ppg, 7.4 rpg
6

T-4
Trevor Ariza
Small forward
Houston Rockets
Last season
Los Angeles Lakers
8.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg
4

T-4
Shaquille O'Neal
Center
Cleveland Cavaliers
Last season
Phoenix Suns
17.8 ppg, 8.4 rpg
4

T-6
Vince Carter
Shooting guard
Orlando Magic
Last season
New Jersey Nets
20.8 ppg, 4.7 apg
3

T-6
Hedo Turkoglu
Small forward
Toronto Raptors
Last season
Orlando Magic
16.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg
3

Also receiving votes: Tyson Chandler (2), Ben Gordon (2), Emeka Okafor (2), Charlie Villanueva (2), Allen Iverson (1), Dahntay Jones (1), Shawn Marion (1), Quentin Richardson (1), Ben Wallace (1), Paul Westphal (1)

The skinny

Randolph (12 votes)
Normally, when a 20-and-10 guy joins one of the worst teams in the league, it's a good thing. Not in this case, according to a dozen of our voters. Despite his talent, Z-Bo's questionable character would appear to be detrimental to a young Grizzlies squad. Not to mention that he is one of the biggest black holes in basketball and doesn't play defense.

To make matters worse, the Grizzlies took on the remaining two years and $33 million of his contract. Sure, he could earn the Griz a few more wins with his post play, but so could, uh, Pau Gasol (minus the headaches). Just sayin'.

Artest (6 votes)
The thinking here is easy: Why mess with a good thing? The Lakers just won the championship with Trevor Ariza at small forward. Why replace him with one of the most combustible players in the league?

Yes, Artest is an upgrade over Ariza, but his unpredictability on and off the court might become a huge distraction for the Lakers -- one that could jeopardize their chances of a title repeat.

Wallace (6 votes)
The C's need big things from Sheed to contend for a title; many of our voters don't expect him to deliver. His production has plateaued during the past three seasons, and he continues to make a negative impact with his technicals. Playing alongside KG might help Sheed stay interested, but will Wallace embrace his role off the bench for 82 games?

Ariza (4 votes)
After five seasons and three teams, Ariza finally made his mark during the Lakers' title run last season. But whether it's his career 6.9 ppg or the fact that Houston will have a 7-foot-6, 310-pound hole in the paint next season, some of our voters aren't sold on the five-year, $34 million deal the 24-year-old forward signed with the Rockets this offseason.

O'Neal (4 votes)
Although eight members of our panel think Shaq could help the King win a ring, four feel Cleveland's big Shaquisition will be a big flop. He may be the most talented running mate LeBron has had, but with 1,100-plus games on his knees and without access to the Suns' miracle training staff, the Big Daddy may revert back to the injury-prone ways that haunted him in Miami.

Carter (3 votes)
Adding an eight-time All-Star to an already successful lineup should make the reigning East champs even better. There is a certain amount of risk here, though. Carter will turn 33 in January, and Orlando will owe him $33 million in salary the next two years. Plus, some say Carter brings potential chemistry issues and could have a negative effect on Orlando's vaunted defense.

Turkoglu (3 votes)
Turkoglu had some big playoff moments in 2009 -- the Kobe block, double-doubles against Cleveland and Boston and daggers in Philly. But the Raptors gave $53 million to a guy who has never made an All-Star team and probably never will. He's a good piece, but remember, elite teams such as San Antonio and Orlando let him walk. There must be a reason, no?

*********************

The voters

Henry Abbott (ESPN.com TrueHoop senior writer), J.A. Adande (ESPN.com senior writer), Kevin Arnovitz (ESPN.com TrueHoop Network editor), Andrew Ayres (ESPN.com NBA editor), Jon Barry (ESPN NBA analyst), Bruce Bernstein (ESPN NBA Studio Production), Alfredo Berrios (ESPN Deportes editor), Dwayne Bray (ESPN Studio Production), Jordan Brenner (ESPN Insider editor), Lisa Brooks (ESPN Stats & Information), Maurice Brooks (ESPN.com NBA editor), Chris Broussard (ESPN The Magazine senior writer), Ric Bucher (ESPN The Magazine senior writer), Michael Bucklin (ESPN Interactive Games), Kevin Calabro (ESPN NBA broadcaster), Kevin Conlon (ESPN Stats & Information), Jay Corbin (ESPN The Magazine editor), Chad Ford (ESPN Insider senior writer), LZ Granderson (ESPN The Magazine senior writer), John Hollinger (ESPN Insider senior writer), Jade Hoye (ESPN Multimedia), Michael Jackson (ESPN Stats & Information), Scoop Jackson (ESPN Page 2 columnist), Avery Johnson (ESPN NBA analyst), Eric Karabell (ESPN.com senior writer), Rob King (ESPN.com editor in chief), Seth Landman (ESPN Fantasy basketball writer), Tim Legler (ESPN NBA analyst), Nancy Lieberman (ESPN NBA analyst), Keith Lipscomb (ESPN Fantasy basketball analyst), Patricia Lowry (ESPN Studio Production), Mike Lynch (ESPN Stats & Information), Eric Neel (ESPN.com senior writer), Pete Newmann (ESPN Stats & Information), Chris Palmer (ESPN The Magazine NBA writer), Greg Pike (ESPN NBA Studio Production), Chris Ramsay (ESPN.com NBA coordinator), Dr. Jack Ramsay (ESPN NBA analyst), Adam Reisinger (ESPNDB editor), Jalen Rose (ESPN NBA analyst), Bob Salmi (ESPN NBA analyst), Chris Sheridan (ESPN Insider senior writer), Marc Stein (ESPN.com NBA senior writer), Patrick Stiegman (ESPN.com VP/executive editor), Otto Strong (ESPN The Magazine NBA editor), Mark Summer (ESPN NBA Studio Production), David Thorpe (ESPN Insider NBA analyst), Justin Verrier (ESPN.com NBA editor), Royce Webb (ESPN.com NBA editor), Josh Whitling (ESPN Fantasy basketball writer), Matt Winer (ESPN NBA anchor) and Matt Wong (ESPN.com NBA editor).

[anonoftheinternets]

interesting dichotomy for artest, hes in both the worst and best list. I guess we just have to wait and see.

[rayray2k8]

Iverson has yet to find a team and BSPN says he'll automatically make a negative impact, wherever it is that he lands at. :lmao

[The Franchise]

You muthafuccas better put Iverson at the top of that list.

I am still trying to understand what Iverson has done in his recent history to warrant all of the criticism he receives? He didn't kill the team in Detroit like everyone likes to blame him for, he was just stuck in a bad situation (didn't really fit the team). Besides, there were already a mountain of problems in Detroit (inexperienced coach, Chauncey gone, benching Rip, struggling offense, horrible defense) that had nothing to with him. Also when you look at his time in Denver he seemed to be the most level headed starter on the entire team (which I admit isn't saying a lot). This label he has is unfair in my opinion.

[Ghazi]

^ Agreed. Iverson gets too much blame for Detroit sucking last year.

[KSeal]

I love how people still act like the Lakers had a choice of Ariza or Artest. The choice was Artest or Luke Walton starting.

[024]

iverson refuses to come off the bench which makes him look extremely arrogant. if iverson does accept a lesser role, every team in the league will want him as the sixth man. every superstar needs to admit the time comes eventually.

[Muser]

I don't get why Ariza is on there? Are Rocket fans expecting big things from him or seomthing?

[lefty]

It think that - overall - the Lakers will be fine with Artest.

Phil Jackson is familiar with that (Rodman)

But again, it had more to with Jordan's leadership than anything else. And Kobe is not Jordan.

Plus, Rodman was a winner and already 2 wings before joining the Bulls.

[lefty]

You thinking about chicken? I had a horrible experience at wingstop the other night.
:lol

[Muser]

Prepare to be dissapointed then, Rocket fans.

[coyotes_geek]

I am still trying to understand what Iverson has done in his recent history to warrant all of the criticism he receives? He didn't kill the team in Detroit like everyone likes to blame him for, he was just stuck in a bad situation (didn't really fit the team). Besides, there were already a mountain of problems in Detroit (inexperienced coach, Chauncey gone, benching Rip, struggling offense, horrible defense) that had nothing to with him. Also when you look at his time in Denver he seemed to be the most level headed starter on the entire team (which I admit isn't saying a lot). This label he has is unfair in my opinion.

You could make this case before the offseason, but not anymore. No one wants anything to do with the guy, and that speaks volumes. It's obvious the coaches and gm's around the league believe he's a cancer. If they didn't someone would have signed him a long time ago.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

he was just stuck in a bad situation (didn't really fit the team).


Who's problem is it that the only team Iverson has ever fit well is a team that runs the let-Iverson-dominate-the-ball-and-have-4-players-standing-around-watching-him?

It's not Detroit's fault that he was a bad fit on a team that preaches teamwork, ball movement, and making the extra pass.

[djohn2oo8]

yes.

Expecting Artest to play within the offense is even funnier