[BasterdInABasketParticipant]

Which rookies will have the biggest impact on championship contending teams?

Kawhi Leonard on SA, Reggie Jackson on OKC, JaJuan Johnson on BOS, Jimmy Butler on CHI, Norris Cole on MIA, Justin Harper on ORL?

I think all these guys could be solid backup guys on their teams. Depending on what happens with Big Baby in FA, Johnson should see pt behind Garnett. I like his ability to stretch the floor a little and protect the rim. I think Cole will have the biggest impact though. Hes only a rookie but he is a definite upgrade over what Bibby gave them last year. He should split time with Chalmers.

[GottaBeTheShoesParticipant]

There is also Darius Morris and Andrew Goudelock for the Lakers. Not saying they are going to have the most impact but they add solid pieces to the Lakers with a sharpshooter like goudelock who will be able to be a scorer off the bench.. Morris will be a good floor general off the bench.  If the lakers weren’t too stubborn to let someone else start over Fisher I would think these guys would have a chance.

[GottaBeTheShoesParticipant]

There is also Darius Morris and Andrew Goudelock for the Lakers. Not saying they are going to have the most impact but they add solid pieces to the Lakers with a sharpshooter like goudelock who will be able to be a scorer off the bench.. Morris will be a good floor general off the bench.  If the lakers weren’t too stubborn to let someone else start over Fisher I would think these guys would have a chance.

[Knicksboy3Participant]

 Norris Cole on Miami. I think someone will pony up for Chalmers in FA and I wouldn’t be shocked if Cole is pushed into action.

[Knicksboy3Participant]

 Norris Cole on Miami. I think someone will pony up for Chalmers in FA and I wouldn’t be shocked if Cole is pushed into action.

[Cincinatti BowtiesParticipant]

Kawhi should get a lot of playing time, it helps he doesn’t have to score to be effective. I expect him to get around 25 mins a night and put up decent numbers.

[Cincinatti BowtiesParticipant]

Kawhi should get a lot of playing time, it helps he doesn’t have to score to be effective. I expect him to get around 25 mins a night and put up decent numbers.

[MagikKnickParticipant]

 Im not being bias when I say Shumpert, he can help on the defensive end, which is a huge need on this Knick team..

Same goes for Butler, his ability to defend should come in handy vs better teams in the league, especially under coach Thibs

Sleeper pick would be Andrew Goudelock, he went into a great situation for his skillset…with guys like Odom, Kobe, and Pau catching double teams…if they can find him open on the perimeter, then he’ll definetly become an impact rookie, not even sure if he’ll even get the playtime, doubt it actually but if he does he’ll knockdown bigtime jumpers for that team…

[MagikKnickParticipant]

 Im not being bias when I say Shumpert, he can help on the defensive end, which is a huge need on this Knick team..

Same goes for Butler, his ability to defend should come in handy vs better teams in the league, especially under coach Thibs

Sleeper pick would be Andrew Goudelock, he went into a great situation for his skillset…with guys like Odom, Kobe, and Pau catching double teams…if they can find him open on the perimeter, then he’ll definetly become an impact rookie, not even sure if he’ll even get the playtime, doubt it actually but if he does he’ll knockdown bigtime jumpers for that team…

[BasterdInABasketParticipant]

No doubt shumpert will have an impact but I was talking about championship contenders.

[BasterdInABasketParticipant]

No doubt shumpert will have an impact but I was talking about championship contenders.

[DanEboyParticipant]

^Subtle dis…I like it.

[DanEboyParticipant]

^Subtle dis…I like it.

[MagikKnickParticipant]

 Knicks wont be contenders next year? -_-

[MagikKnickParticipant]

 Knicks wont be contenders next year? -_-

[BasterdInABasketParticipant]

Knicks are a few peices away. Not nearly enough defense especially from their big two. Barring major injuries they wont beat Boston, Chicago or Miami in a 7 game series. Those are three ‘contenders’ in my mind in the east.

[BasterdInABasketParticipant]

Knicks are a few peices away. Not nearly enough defense especially from their big two. Barring major injuries they wont beat Boston, Chicago or Miami in a 7 game series. Those are three ‘contenders’ in my mind in the east.

[PlatypusParticipant]

 Jordan Hamilton and the Mavs

[PlatypusParticipant]

 Jordan Hamilton and the Mavs

[GottaBeTheShoesParticipant]

Symbol, Jordan Hamilton was traded to the Nuggets on draft night.  You’re a little behind.

[GottaBeTheShoesParticipant]

Symbol, Jordan Hamilton was traded to the Nuggets on draft night.  You’re a little behind.

[JJeff6Participant]

Not saying the Grizz are legit "contenders" but i feel Josh Selby can play well enough to overtake someone in their rotation.  He’s a very talented young dude who i see can have an impact

[JJeff6Participant]

Not saying the Grizz are legit "contenders" but i feel Josh Selby can play well enough to overtake someone in their rotation.  He’s a very talented young dude who i see can have an impact

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

The Spurs looked old at the end of the year and kind of washed up. They shook things up and got Kawhi Leonard who might just be the spark they need to turn themselves back into contenders. I think he can give them 8 or 9 points and 4 or 5 rebounds a night and will give then some youthful energy. The Western Conference came down to matchups and who was hot. Same might happen this year and I think the Duncan-era Spurs can make one more run. Remember, their first title was in a lockout year. Norris Cole will give the Heat some more 3 point shooting, ball handling, and speed. If Chalmers starts next year then I think that Norris Cole will be a great weapon off the bench. Of all of the four teams that made the conference finals the Heat got a rookie that can help his team the most. I like Goudelock for the Lakers as a scoring threat who can spread the floor. Last year, Lamar Odom was the only offensive weapon coming off the bench and they didn’t have a backup 2 guard. I think he can hit some jumpers in big games for them I don’t see him being the next Jason Terry right away. But, if he can put enough points on the board and play effectively enough so Kobe will only have to play 30-35 minutes a night instead of 40-plus then his impact will be HUGE.

The Knicks needed toughness, youth, energy, defense, and rebounding. So Shumpert/Harrelson make sense for them. Shumpert should be able to do some of everything odd the bench and Harrellson can rebound and could turn into an effective 4 off the bench like Nick Collison or even Brian Cardinal. If Carmelo and Amare figure it out and if Billups bounces back these two rookies could help in the effort to turn the Knicks back into legit Eastern Conference contenders.

The Bulls did fill a need with Jimmy Butler. They needed help at the 3 behind Luol Deng. If Butler can put some points on the board with Gibson and Korver off the bench and grab some rebounds then the Bulls have helped themselves with this draft. Other than an upgrade at shooting guard, the Bulls needed depth, energy, and scoring off the bench.

The Thunder needed a backup small forward and a low post scorer and came out of the draft with neither of those things. By they also needed scoring off the bench since they will probably start Harden. If Reggie Jackson can shoot, score, and get his own shot then that fills one of their biggest needs. But, he sounds like a score-first combo guards and the Thunder already have one of those in Russell Westbrook. And I like Maynor as a backup point guard so I don’t think Jackson as the backup 1 is the way to go. This pick was a gamble, but if he can give them a legit scorer off the bench then he will be a valuable rookie.

The Grizzlies also made a boom/bust pick with Josh Selby but at 49 he may have been worth the gamble. The Grizzlies went into the draft needing a knock-down 3 point shooter, an athletic stretch four, and possibly more depth at center, and they didn’t come away with any of those things. Selby has upside and may have been a sexy pick but Jon Diebler, Jamie Skeen, and even Matt Howard may have been better picks. The Grizzlies are pretty deep and will probably resign Haddadi as their backup center, so if Xavier Henry can be a good 3 point threat then the Grizzlies may have done the best thing by getting the best player available. The Grizzlies have a great 4/5 combo and Arthur off the bench, a great small forward in Rudy Gay, and they just added some more depth off the bench. Selby and OJ could be a potent, if unconventional, offensive guard duo off the bench along the lines of Jason Terry and JJ Barea. Selby might be the guy they need to really put the Grizzlies over the top just as Barea was a difference maker against the Lakers and Heat.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

The Spurs looked old at the end of the year and kind of washed up. They shook things up and got Kawhi Leonard who might just be the spark they need to turn themselves back into contenders. I think he can give them 8 or 9 points and 4 or 5 rebounds a night and will give then some youthful energy. The Western Conference came down to matchups and who was hot. Same might happen this year and I think the Duncan-era Spurs can make one more run. Remember, their first title was in a lockout year. Norris Cole will give the Heat some more 3 point shooting, ball handling, and speed. If Chalmers starts next year then I think that Norris Cole will be a great weapon off the bench. Of all of the four teams that made the conference finals the Heat got a rookie that can help his team the most. I like Goudelock for the Lakers as a scoring threat who can spread the floor. Last year, Lamar Odom was the only offensive weapon coming off the bench and they didn’t have a backup 2 guard. I think he can hit some jumpers in big games for them I don’t see him being the next Jason Terry right away. But, if he can put enough points on the board and play effectively enough so Kobe will only have to play 30-35 minutes a night instead of 40-plus then his impact will be HUGE.

The Knicks needed toughness, youth, energy, defense, and rebounding. So Shumpert/Harrelson make sense for them. Shumpert should be able to do some of everything odd the bench and Harrellson can rebound and could turn into an effective 4 off the bench like Nick Collison or even Brian Cardinal. If Carmelo and Amare figure it out and if Billups bounces back these two rookies could help in the effort to turn the Knicks back into legit Eastern Conference contenders.

The Bulls did fill a need with Jimmy Butler. They needed help at the 3 behind Luol Deng. If Butler can put some points on the board with Gibson and Korver off the bench and grab some rebounds then the Bulls have helped themselves with this draft. Other than an upgrade at shooting guard, the Bulls needed depth, energy, and scoring off the bench.

The Thunder needed a backup small forward and a low post scorer and came out of the draft with neither of those things. By they also needed scoring off the bench since they will probably start Harden. If Reggie Jackson can shoot, score, and get his own shot then that fills one of their biggest needs. But, he sounds like a score-first combo guards and the Thunder already have one of those in Russell Westbrook. And I like Maynor as a backup point guard so I don’t think Jackson as the backup 1 is the way to go. This pick was a gamble, but if he can give them a legit scorer off the bench then he will be a valuable rookie.

The Grizzlies also made a boom/bust pick with Josh Selby but at 49 he may have been worth the gamble. The Grizzlies went into the draft needing a knock-down 3 point shooter, an athletic stretch four, and possibly more depth at center, and they didn’t come away with any of those things. Selby has upside and may have been a sexy pick but Jon Diebler, Jamie Skeen, and even Matt Howard may have been better picks. The Grizzlies are pretty deep and will probably resign Haddadi as their backup center, so if Xavier Henry can be a good 3 point threat then the Grizzlies may have done the best thing by getting the best player available. The Grizzlies have a great 4/5 combo and Arthur off the bench, a great small forward in Rudy Gay, and they just added some more depth off the bench. Selby and OJ could be a potent, if unconventional, offensive guard duo off the bench along the lines of Jason Terry and JJ Barea. Selby might be the guy they need to really put the Grizzlies over the top just as Barea was a difference maker against the Lakers and Heat.

[providencefriars1Participant]

No one has chosen Jajuan Johnson yet so ill play devils advocate. Big Baby played awfully in the playoffs and may not be retained, Jeff Green was also horrible, Jermaine Oneal is not the most healthy guy in the world, and the Celtics dont like playing Garnett for too many minutes in the regular season. These factors lead me to believe that Johnson could sneak in and play valuable minutes in the rotation.

Johnson is offensively ready for the NBA with a nice back to the basket game and a spot up mid range jumper. He will only benefit playing with Rondo and the  Big 3 which will give him more chances to score. I can see him being a big contributor off the bench like Big Baby was his rookie year.

[providencefriars1Participant]

No one has chosen Jajuan Johnson yet so ill play devils advocate. Big Baby played awfully in the playoffs and may not be retained, Jeff Green was also horrible, Jermaine Oneal is not the most healthy guy in the world, and the Celtics dont like playing Garnett for too many minutes in the regular season. These factors lead me to believe that Johnson could sneak in and play valuable minutes in the rotation.

Johnson is offensively ready for the NBA with a nice back to the basket game and a spot up mid range jumper. He will only benefit playing with Rondo and the  Big 3 which will give him more chances to score. I can see him being a big contributor off the bench like Big Baby was his rookie year.

[gatorheelsParticipant]

 Kawhi Leonard is going to have the biggest impact by far.  His defense & rebounding is going to help the Spurs significantly. 

[gatorheelsParticipant]

 Kawhi Leonard is going to have the biggest impact by far.  His defense & rebounding is going to help the Spurs significantly. 

[Author]

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