Summer Forecast: Best Newcomer

[Brazil]

exactly my point. Vujachick is not even worth one of Blair's ACLs

I know it's even funnier to see he can't be a 12 in Slovenia !!

[2Cleva]

Flux451 - Of course not over sushi. It was steak.

All the talk of Artest not taking less shots and one should look at what RJ has done over his career.

[duncan228]

Here are a few more that will be coming out in the next few days, that should be worth reading...

Just to complete the list, they did Rookies first.

Summer Forecast: Rookie of the Year

2009-10 Predictions: Rookie of the Year

Blake Griffin

James Harden

Jonny Flynn

Stephen Curry

[wildbill2u]

Artest took 15 shots per last year, 5.6 from 3 in 35.5 minutes.

Ariza took 7.3 shots per, 2.3 from 3 in 24.4 minutes. Playoff time may be a better barometer, as he took 8 shots per in 31 minutes, 3.6 3s.

Bottom line - Shots will go down across the board but efficiency will go up. Artest will never see a double team again, for example. And he's on the best passing team in the league with the most fluid offense so he'll get a lot more easy looks.

I expect Artest to be a killer from 3 point land.

You can't trust Artest's 3, but he's deadly on a post up against most SFor SG. But he was the only second option Houston had last year with T-Mac doing his usual disappearance for medical reasons so his scoring was really needed. Not so hot in the playoffs though.

[2Cleva]

You can't trust Artest's 3, but he's deadly on a post up against most SFor SG. But he was the only second option Houston had last year with T-Mac doing his usual disappearance for medical reasons so his scoring was really needed. Not so hot in the playoffs though.

Artest shot 40% for 3, making 153. That after shooting 38% the year before, 35.8% the year before that.

That 3 is clearly a weapon in his arsenal now.

Disappeared in the playoffs? I think it was the burden of him trying to carry the offense plus defend Roy and Kobe. In LA, he's doing less on offense, able to focus more on d.

[dbestpro]

Artest shot 40% for 3, making 153. That after shooting 38% the year before, 35.8% the year before that.

That 3 is clearly a weapon in his arsenal now.

Disappeared in the playoffs? I think it was the burden of him trying to carry the offense plus defend Roy and Kobe. In LA, he's doing less on offense, able to focus more on d.

Okay, so now you only have two more wishes left.

[dreamsky]

RJ, Blair, Dyce and even Mahinmi easily make that list

[WildcardManu]

I'm guessing the reason some of these players are on the worst newcomers list as well is because they're impact could go either way as to benefit or hurt their respective teams.

[Spurs Brazil]

Summer Forecast: Worst newcomerComment Email Print Share

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 le repeat.

Wallace (6 votes)
The C's need big things from Sheed to contend for a le; 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' le 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.


NBA OFFSEASON BUZZ
Who's poised for a big year? Who could be on the decline? We're taking a look at all 30 rosters. Offseason Buzz

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?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/s...-WorstNewcomer