RE: Top ten rookie impact players

[wayray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

My God! How can the most NBA ready PG Marcus Banks
not receive a mention?  These writers all suck and they purposely go out of their way to
put down the Celtics. And Hinrich being mentioned - obviously this guy's a member of the Kansas Mafia.
Ray

> ** Original Subject: RE: Top ten rookie impact players
> ** Original Sender: Tammo29@xxxxxxx
> ** Original Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2003 09:26:42 -0700 (PDT)

> ** Original Message follows... 

>
> POSITION BATTLES: Top ten rookie impact players
> BY Chris Carlson
> Special to Rotoworld
> Fox Sports
> Sep. 25, 2003 2:56 p.m.
> 
> 
> Rookies report to training camp on Saturday. With that in mind here is a look
> at the Top Draft Picks and how they will impact the Fantasy world this year.
> Lebron James, G, Cavaliers
> Obviously he is going to top every rookie watch list, however Paul Silas is
> taking a more conservative approach with the Heir to Jordan's Throne. Silas
> stated recently he would not start James at the point guard position, and that
> he
> wanted to take some of the pressure off of the future star.
> He has Kevin Ollie and J.R. Bremer in camp to run the point. When Silas was
> asked if this meant more time for Dajaun Wagner at the point, he stated that
> Wagner will get "most of his minutes at the shooting guard" position. There is
> no doubt that LeBron will eventually win the job at some point in the season,
> but until then expect to see him playing the two or three.
> Darko Milicic, F, Pistons
> With the crowded frontcourt in Detroit, it's gonna be like dinner with the
> Klumps, he's gonna be fighting for scraps all year long. Everything we have
> been
> told about Darko has 2004-2005 written all over it. He will not be an impact
> fantasy rookie this year. He has all kinds of potential, but the Pistons are a
> playoff contender and have enough to win without rushing Darko along. Do not
> look for much production from him this year.
> Carmello Anthony, F, Nuggets
> People in Denver haven't been this excited since the Gold Rush. The truth is
> that the Nuggets were not just one player away from making the playoffs.
> However, that one player, Carmello Anthony, should have a nice impact on the
> fantasy world.
> He can score, rebound and play defense. When I think 'Melo, I think Caron
> Butler from last year. Caron averaged 15.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.8 SPG and
> ..4
> BPG. I think the scoring for 'Melo could be higher due to the lack of other
> options on the team. Look for him to make a nice debut into the fantasy world
> of
> basketball.
> Chris Bosh, F, Raptors
> Will Chris Bosh come in and play right away?
> I don't think he will contribute at an impact fantasy level right away, but a
> lot of that will be decided on two things, 1) How healthy is Vince Carter?
> and 2) How good are the Raptors? If the Raptors are off to another
> disappointing
> start they might as well throw Bosh into the fire to earn his stripes. If
> they are winning and playing like a playoff team, they can afford to bring him
> along slowly. I don't think Bosh will be the reason the Raptors make a playoff
> run; the only way he contributes is if they are bad. He still needs to add
> some
> size if he is going to play the four and he is very young.
> Dwyane Wade, G, Heat
> He is going to play, he is going to play the shooting guard and on defense he
> will guard the other teams point guard. It will be his job to lose. Eddie
> Jones has worn out his welcome in Miami and I think if there are any takers
> out
> there he will be moved ASAP.
> Wade, Odom and Butler are the future. Wade can post some solid numbers, but
> probably won't put up any incredible numbers. Pat Riley teams usually play
> tough defense but have a harder time breaking 100 points than Shawn Kemp has
> driving past a Krispy Kreme. Don't expect big offensive numbers from Wade, but
> he
> should have solid all-around numbers.
> Chris Kaman, C, Clippers
> The best thing that Chris Kaman has going for him is that someone has to play
> center in Los Angeles. If you are a Knick fan you are still having nightmares
> about Frederic Weis, and Clippers fans may be in for the same nightmare.
> I just don't see the big man becoming a great force in the NBA. However, I
> just don't see Melvin Ely's future at the five, I think Kaman will have a
> chance
> to get in and make some things happen. Kaman can be a solid contributor but
> not on the fantasy stat page. Ely will get time, Wilcox will get time, Brand
> will get time, and it just doesn't look like the big numbers will be there for
> Kaman. And once again let's not forget to mention Wang ZhiZhi.
> Kirk Hinrich, G, Bulls
> Here is a kid that can be special. He brings to the table that undefinable
> ability to make things happen. He hustles, he can shoot, he can pass and he
> wants to win. He has the right size to be a two guard in the NBA and no one
> questions his heart, so how can he go wrong?
> Every draft has a guy come out of it that you can't believe slipped that far.
> Scott Layden was probably ready to hang himself from the rafters at MSG after
> witnessing the emergence of Amare Stoudamire last year, and he went No. 9.
> This year it could be Hinrich. The only drawback is that he will be playing
> behind Jamal Crawford who really came into his own last year. The Bulls think
> they
> have enough talent to make a run at the playoffs in the East and I see
> Hinrich coming off the bench to provide the energy and quick bursts of scoring
> that
> will help them get to that level.
> How does it translate to fantasy basketball? Probably not great, maybe six to
> eight points per game, a few assists and a steal. Hinrich will have a nice
> NBA career, but may be a few years to contributing to anyone's fantasy team.
> T.J. Ford, G, Bucks
> The Bucks have made it clear that T.J. Ford will have every opportunity to
> run the team. As a fantasy owner that is all you can ask for. The hard part is
> asking yourself if T.J. Ford and his 6-0, 162 frame is ready to take the
> challenge.
> I think he will be just fine. How many point guards will be able to guard his
> quickness? He can make a 2-point game a 10-point game in 30 seconds with his
> speed. The big question mark has always been his outside shot. Let's remember
> that not all players come into the NBA with a perfect jump shot. There are
> ways to fix that, and he has the tools that you can't teach, like speed. Look
> for
> Ford to lead all rookies in assists and to be in the top ten assist leaders
> in the NBA.
> Mike Sweetney, F, Knicks
> I think Sweetney has the potential to turn into a great rebounding forward
> who scores 15-18 PPG eventually, but right now he is not there, nor are the
> Knicks. It is like walking into an elevator filled with the cast from Roseanne
> b
> there is just no more room. In time Sweetney should become a solid fourth or
> fifth fantasy forward option, but right now he will be fighting for playing
> time
> on a team that must win now.
> Reece Gaines, G, Magic
> Can Reece Gaines come in and play the point immediately? With Tracy McGrady
> in the same backcourt, the Magic have the possibility of starting two shooting
> guards who can also play the point. McGrady will take some of the attention
> away from Gaines, allowing him to develop.
> Gaines may not have a huge fantasy impact this year, but he should get enough
> playing time to make a name for himself. In a keeper league he may be a very
> good late round pick. There are some obstacles in the way of Gaines' immediate
> playing time. Gordon Giricek may be better suited and more experienced to run
> the point. I expect to see a battle for the point guard position during
> training camp. Watch it closely, if Gaines impresses he could be a legitimate
> fantasy guard.
> http://www.foxsports.com/content/view?contentId=1694988
> TAM

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