Which New Acquisition Will Have the Biggest Impact?
RJ will be big in Brew CountryOf all the new faces relocating for the ‘08-09 campaign, who do you think is going to have the biggest impact on their new roster? When we spoke with Joe Alexander at the Rookie Transition Program event last week in the Bronx, he took a break from raving about Ramon Sessions to throw his support behind Richard Jefferson and the Bucks being this year’s surprise squad.
Though the Bucks are weak on the front lines, RJ gives Milwaukee something that they haven’t had in years - a legit scorer who will open up opportunities for others around him. Given that Jefferson is a lock at over 20-points per, Michael Redd will undoubtedly improve on the 130 treys his sunk last season.
And, as Alexander mentioned Ramon Sessions will impress a lot of people. He’ll help facilitate Jefferson’s transition, spreading out the ball between him and Redd.
“Ramon Sessions has impressed me a lot - he’s a great passer,” says Alexander. “Sometimes I’ve been dropping his passes over the summer because they come out of nowhere. I’ve been really impressed with him.”
Is RJ going to have the biggest impact of any new acquisition, or will it be one of the other guys listed here?
Richard Jefferson
Baron Davis
Elton Brand
Mo Williams
Kwame Brown
Renaldo Balkman
Corey Maggette
Marcus Williams
Ron Artest
T.J. Ford
Jermaine O’Neal
Jarrett Jack
Ricky Davis
Marcus Camby
James Jones
Jamaal Magloire
Mike Miller
Yi Jianlian
Bobby Simmons
Chris Duhon
Anthony Roberson
Mickael Pietrus
Matt Barnes
Ike Diogu
September 10th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
TJ says:
I think Mike Redd is the only one sure to average over 20. He did it the last five seasons while RJ’s done it once (besides an injury shortened 04-05).
September 10th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
A-Slam says:
First!! I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say Elton Brand will get buckets in Philly
September 10th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Kevin says:
Jermaine O’Neal
September 10th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
TL says:
Definitely Artest without a doubt because his DEF will inspire the whole Rocket’s DEF (e.g KG last year), and it’ll free up McGrady to do his thing on offense.
September 10th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Banga says:
Jermaine O’neal
September 10th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
raf says:
Jermaine
September 10th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
loc says:
JO!
Picture a starting lineup coming at you of JO, Bosh and Bargs, thats two of the best bigmen and….well another tall dude who loves 3s. If Bargs knocks some 3s down thats kind of a scary lineup match up wise. And if he flops as the starting 3, Moon or Kapono can come in.
JO could be just what this team needs, a big ass angry dude who can patrol the paint. Hopefully hes healthy and ready, quite and improvement from Rasho
September 10th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
flyp says:
Elton Brand. Has to be.
September 10th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Diego says:
Concur with Jermaine. Toronto could really put it together.
September 10th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
CP3MVP says:
I’d give it to Elton Brand. He makes the Sixers legit.
Baron may lead the league in scoring, and ron ron will have the rockets atop the west before yao hurts himself trying to speak english and goes out for the year.
I call corey maggette the worst signing btw. The warriors are fuckin dumb
September 10th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
Darius Miles.
September 10th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
Oh, I thought you meant negative impact. My bad.
September 10th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Prof. TX says:
Artest.
How many teams have three guys that are a legitimate threat for 20 points in a night? Two, maybe three squads? Houston will have the league’s best defense and another threat on offense.
(if healthy, of course, etc..)
September 10th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
peoples champ says:
Baron Davis???
September 10th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
karizmatic says:
I think undoubtedly Elton Brand will do about 20-10 and make the biggest impact opening up the floor for Iguadola and Young. Life will get easier for Andre Miller as well. A-slam…that’s definitely not going out on a limb.
September 10th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
1982 says:
1st!
Elton Brand!
September 10th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
MSkittle says:
Elton Brand
September 10th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
George W Kush Sr says:
Kwame Brown for the Pistons.
September 10th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
MSkittle says:
And how would RJ help Redd get more 3’s? Won’t he take shots away from Redd?
September 10th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
original2k9 says:
Elton Brand
September 10th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Kobeef says:
Lebron for the Nets
(from the Plain Dealer)
“It makes you wonder whether he really likes you. I suppose it could be worse: He could be a Pittsburgh Steelers fan. But that sort of nonsense would make his life difficult in Cleveland. I guess we have no choice but to count our blessings and simply celebrate our Yankee-loving-Cowboy-hugging-global icon until he divorces us and takes his game somewhere else.”
September 10th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Michorizo says:
Is RJ Gay … I read somewhere that he was?
And of course Brand will have the biggest impact …
September 10th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
s.bucketz says:
humpty dumpty…aka renaldo balkman…hes guna b a solid piece in denver
September 10th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
s.bucketz says:
@michorizo
i think RJ and Luke Walton are gay for each other…u ever seen em do a interview together about there “college days”…sounds like codeword for gay to me
ooh yea and he has RJ tatted on his shoulder wit a wreath around it….mad flamboyant
god thas wut i hate about bein from jersey and gettin Yes! i had to watch mad nets games jus to get my fix wen ther wasnt knicks games on
September 10th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Big V says:
I’m going with one of the following:
Elton Brand
Marcus Camby
Ron Artest
Take your pick. It seems a little foolish to have guys like this and then guys like James Jones and Renaldo Balkman on the same list.
September 10th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Big V says:
@ Prof TX,
I doubt that Houston will be the the league’s stingiest team. They’ll be up there, but adding one lockdown defender doesn’t bring them to the top of the heap.
September 10th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
it aint easy being green says:
@ dime - yall got ricky buckets on the list but no james posey. shame on yall
September 10th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Young Lebron 23 says:
With EB42 wit my Sixers we at the ‘chip.
September 10th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
frederick ruger says:
magloire, son. he and mark blount are gonna be a devastating combo, perhaps more formidable than shaq and zo.
September 10th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Coop says:
I’ll go with Brand. Not sure his numbers will be as nice as we’re used to but I think he’ll have a pretty big impact on Philly. He can probably get more miles from his tank being as he has Dalembert to help on D (and Kaman was pretty much redundant until last season), and he’ll have a top pg and wing to take pressure off.
September 10th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Brown says:
Brand and J.O. They fill two huge holes on teams that were pretty good to begin with. Low-post scorers who can rebound and play defense are rare in the league, and IF they can stay healthy, should take their teams to another level.
I’ll second post #27. Posey would be close to the top of this list. NO was damn good last year, so adding defense, clutch shooting and championship experience to that club may not push them over the top, but should at least get them close to it.
September 10th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Tony says:
Elton Brand for now, Artest is an X-factor. And lol, why is Yi on this list? Suprised that he could find the basket with those Asian eyes. (I’m not stereotypical, I’m just Chinese.)
September 10th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Marcus says:
As a Rockets fan I hope its Artest. An elite defender going to an already top defensive club? Add to the fact he can score on those nights when needed.
I also think Brand to the Sixers will really boost them up in the east.
September 10th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
David Brandon says:
not ONE king. thats kinda how you know youre buried deeeeep in the cellar….when youre starting five is the JV squad.
September 10th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Goonther says:
no mo will love? people are underestimating what he’s gonna do in cleveland this year … he gets my vote
September 10th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
GEE...and now she's sniffin again.. says:
For real, with hopefully no injuries and if they play where they are suppose to. Houston is going to be ill. Ron will most def. have the biggest impact. Might break the streak they already broke…ut oh.
Man imagine when Houston finally does get past the first round they are going to be partying like actually winning the championship. They could prolly get sweeped in the second and be like whateva snitches we GOT PAST THE FIRST! PARTY TIME! lol.
Shiiiii I’ll just be happy for an injury free season to the stars.
September 10th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Ian says:
lets see the best player to move was elton brand
he went to a weaker conference and makes the team legit so i have to go with brand
gee if hosuton avoids lakers new orleans and spurs in the first round they can get to the second round but then again its tmac so we dont know
September 10th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
nick says:
JO or brand will be have the biggest impact with their teams.
September 10th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
GEE...and now she's sniffin again.. says:
Ian bahumbug on all that lol. Spurs still got the formula but they getting old, so injuries prolly will take them out.
Lakers is like a wash somewhat to me cause they both could stand to have better PG’s, but Artest and Barry’s revenge puts the Rockets over L.A.
New Orleans is serious, and I ain’t gone front I might be a lil shook there, cause I think CP would have his way with Alston like Skip owe him some smokes in prison. I still think they could get by them on team defense.
Ian since you forcin my hand imma just lay it down now and here then.
This will be the year Houston will make it past the first round.
I’m done. lol
September 10th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Coop says:
One more thing Dime, re; the ‘poll’. You’ve got contradictory participles at the end. Pick either ‘before the season started?’ or ’should he go through with surgery before the season starts?’
Out.
September 10th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
AB40 says:
kwame brown MIP 15 and 8 2 and 2 ah hahahaha
September 10th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
GEE...and now she's sniffin again.. says:
LOL @ 40.
I got a danglin participle pimpin lol!
September 10th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Tyrone says:
yo y’all - my man Elton B is gonna be off the hook in Philly. He’s gonna be dat down-low presence that Philly has lacked and with some of the shooters they got, it’s gonna be bombs-away from downtown y’all. Them 76ers are gonna be rockin’ philly come may and june, y’all heard it here first.
True thugz never lie.
Tyrone
September 10th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Ian says:
gee
damn i had to google bahumbug (im not american i dont know all the weird words) but ok to the post
comon u r counting on a spurs injury to get past them and the revenge of barry to get past the lakers lol comon the rockets cant beat either team
yaos gonna get a “how my ass taste?” from timmeh and the rockets best player is a career loser but good luck maybe u guys can get the mavs or the suns in that first round
and the lakers need a better pg? weren u the one sayin that fisher is better than parker if thats so the lakers dont need shit at the pg postion
i know someone here was sayin that bs once that fisher is better than parker so if it wasnt u sorry about that
September 10th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
GEE...and now she's sniffin again.. says:
lol Imma have to see what comes up when you google that (bahumbug).
I like cats that remember. Haaahahah I was the one saying that I would rather Fisher over Parker, mainly during the playoffs.
So you were correct to call me out lol. I am off that now though. That was a one time deal. Fisher dissappointed me a lil bit, in the playoffs. Not saying he didn’t do ok, I just expected more.
So yea I feel at the moment the Lakers need a better pg startin wise. Him and Rafer make excellent back-ups in my opinion as of now.
Seriously though with the additions and the system, I really feel we can in a 7 game series get past either one of those teams with all parties healthy.
Guess we will find out.
I have officially layed my card down though. Past first round this year regardless of who they play.
September 10th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Coop says:
hahaha Gee. Here’s to a Mad Ron contract year!
September 10th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Ian says:
gee
Something intended to deceive; a hoax or fraud.
A person who claims to be other than what he or she is; an impostor.
Nonsense; rubbish.
Pretense; deception.
hehehehe
btw u were kinda were kinda crazy when u mentioned that fisher over parker stuff and u used playoffs as an example when parker is a finals mvp and a star fisher is just supporting cast
September 10th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
GEE...and now she's sniffin again.. says:
lol dude gave me a definition hahahah.
That was funny. Imma let you have that just on creativity alone.
In the words of Redman back when. “I’ll be dat”
If you go back though, you will see that I really meant on a defensive end. Cause come on Parker playsss noooooo defense lol.
September 10th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Ian says:
gee
u asked for what came up when i googled lol
and u didnt say on defense it was an overall argument and comon fisher will get destroyed by williams paul or parker anyways so that defense will be for what stopping jason kidd??? besides we shouldnt even be arguing who would u rather have cuz this is a no brainer my man
September 10th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Ian says:
redman jum comon i know who he is cuz of how high i only now 2 rappers by name both of them dead now a third with this one lol
so no more rapper quotes for me man
September 10th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
GEE...and now she's sniffin again.. says:
Ian ok I see you was giving me the humbug deal, ok cool.
Yes I chose dude overall over Fisher because he plays defense. I ain’t debatin it now, cause you are right, they are to offensively sound to stop. Still I “did” preferr Derek because he was one of few guards that played D and was ok at everything else.
If you lookin for me to say I was wrong though, then I have no probs. saying that, “I was wrong”. I still favor guards that play D over strickly offensive guards though. I got a lil over-zealous but I am back……for now.
and I am done with rapper quotes for the day lol.
September 10th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Jah says:
Elton Brand’s 20/10 will be huge in Philly.
Andre Miller dishing out dimes and scoring when needed.
Iggy doing a little bit of everything.
Thad continuing to grow and contribute.
EB doing what he does.
Sammy swatting shots.
I see good things in Philly’s future. Good things.
September 10th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Ian says:
gee lol sorry about the humbug deal
September 10th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
chiaki says:
Ricky Buckets.. no other player in the league can give your team a sure trip to the lottery.. he’s like the killer of all your playoff aspirations..
September 10th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Ian says:
chiaki
marbury? isnt he better at that?
September 10th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Dave says:
It has to be Elton Brand … he’s going to turn a lucky-to-be-in-the-playoffs squad into a contender.
Baron Davis is one of the runner ups
Artest, TJ Ford, Jermaine O Neal …. RJ isn’t even in the running here.
September 10th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
b.lam says:
Rasho!
I know he’s not on the list…but consider this:
The man has never missed the playoffs in his career.
He’s helped develop KG, Duncan, and Bosh… i.e. the man they practice against every day.
He’ll do wonders for the Pacers… we’ll miss him in Toronto for sure! His game is underrated. He does all the right things on the court for your team and will NEVER complain about PT.
September 10th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
HugotheHornet says:
B-Diddy making the clippers relavent and a playoff contender
September 10th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Tim says:
KWAME BROWN…he’ll be in a role he can be comfortable in…production galore…you’ll see…he’s going to Detroit, where Joe D takes your trash and makes it his treasure…
IE
Chauncey
Rip
Ben Wallace
next up Kwame Brown
lol…
September 10th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
kg fan says:
patrick freakin o’bryant!
September 11th, 2008 at 3:29 am
karan says:
ron ron is gonna have the biggest impact in houstan ever.
just watch
September 11th, 2008 at 4:53 am
Coop says:
Tim,
I believe you mean ‘e.g’ not ‘i.e’
September 11th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Rev. Paul Revere says:
Elton Brand
Then Artest
September 11th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
J says:
how about least impact, that would be jamal the tree magloire, how does this guy still make money?