NBA Free Agency 2010: Top Five Newcomers

Free Agency 2010  was one heck of a summer. You had big name free agents leave their respective teams and they did it for either the money, chance to win a ring, or a combination of both. 

Almost everyone will tell you that the Miami Heat were the biggest winners during the off-season, and they were, if you're purely talking about acquiring talent. They resigned their current superstar, and on top of that added another superstar in James and a all star big man in Bosh. Pat Riley has assembled one of the most talented teams in NBA history, but talent alone isn't enough to win a championship. I understand that they have received this type of criticism all summer but it's true, and until they prove it on the court, they shouldn't be considered favorites (Wake Up Vegas). 

Miami was a big winner this off-season but I'm not going to list their free agent catches nor any big name moves. This list is all about the underrated moves that I felt basketball fans were somewhat overlooking. You might know their names but may underestimate what they could bring to their respective teams. 

Without further ado, here is my list of the top five newcomers. 

5. Josh Childress

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PHOENIX - JULY 14: Josh Childress of the Phoenix Suns speaks during a press conference at US Airways Center on July 14, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User

The highlight acquisition for the Suns this offseason was Hedo Turkoglu. Hedo is a good player in the right system and with the current makeup of the Suns, I can't see the Turkish having a big impact. Hedo loves to dominate the ball, as he did in Orlando, and flourishes in a pick and roll type of offense. The suns love the pick and roll offense but Nash is the one who dominates the ball. 

In Toronto, Jose Calderon also dominated the ball and we saw how that turned out for Hedo. It will be difficult for Hedo to play off the ball again, especially if Nash continues to play at a high level. 

Forget Hedo for a moment, and let's talk about the arrival of Childress. Josh Childress last played for Atlanta but bolted to Europe for two years because of the bigger paycheck. Before going to Europe, Childress was one of the best bench players in the NBA. Childress is a solid defender and excels when on the break. The Suns happen to play in a fast paced system and Childress will love playing for a pass first point guard in Nash, who can make scoring so much easier for everyone around him.  

The Suns bench is already fantastic and adding a proven stud in Childress, will only make that unit even more dangerous. 

4. Corey Maggette

The Bucks owner decided that the time to win is now. He took a big risk in acquiring Maggette and his fat contract. Maggette should immediately help this team but not at the contract he's under now. 

Maggette should provide some much needed scoring on the perimeter and on the line. He will be asked to play defense under coach Skiles and if he can't perform well on that end, his minutes will take a dive. If Maggette performs poorly under coach Skiles, it will be hard for the Bucks to move his contract in the near future. 

Maggette is a very underrated player at times and if he has his head on straight, the Bucks will be a dangerous team come playoff time. 

3. Steve Blake

The back-to-back defending championships added a perfect piece to complement their core. Steve Blake has always been an underrated player for some reason and will now backup Derek Fisher. 

The Lakers got Blake for a bargain as he had many offers eclipsing the Lakers 4 million a year annual contract. He will spread the floor for Kobe Bryant and the multitude of LA bigs with his three point shooting, as well as provide aid to Lamar Odom off the bench. 

2. Ronnie Brewer

Ronnie Brewer has so much potential, you just wonder when he'll put it all together. I believe the Brewer will have that breakout year with the Bulls. He's a fantastic defender on the ball and off the ball defender. His rebounding is decent and he proved to be a very underrated passer when he played for Jerry Sloan in Utah. 

His shooting has to improve for him to get major minutes in the beginning of the season. His mid range game has improved since he entered the league but not enough to play alongside Rose, who is also a average shooter, for major minutes. 

With Korver likely to come off the bench because of his porous defense, it should be Brewer's spot to lose. Just because he starts, doesn't mean he will receive the bulk of minutes. If he improves his perimeter game this season, like I foresee, then the Bulls will become one team you don't want to see come playoff time. 

1. Darren Collison

Indiana instantly got better with the addition of Darren Collison. With the possibility of Granger leaving the only franchise he has called home, Collison will immediately become the face of the franchise. 

When Indiana drafted George, who happens to be a very similar player to Granger, in this years draft, they were preparing for a possible trade that could ship Granger out of town. George will be a very good player if he's able to get adequate minutes and that won't be possible with Granger on the team. Like I've said in my previous articles, I don't believe George is a two guard and the quicker Indiana realizes this, the better it will be for Paul's development. 

Having Collison, will alleviate the pressure Granger faces at almost every play. Granger has to be the playmaker and scorer on almost every play, which explains why he isn't as efficient in some parts of his game. 

Collison is a pass first point guard and if his coach allows him to make plays, he can easily average 10+ assists a game. He's very quick and agile player but is also surprisingly strong for a player with little muscle. Darren is a solid defender and will bring some much needed toughness in the backcourt. 

It will take some sacrifices by the coach and Granger for Collison to flourish this season. Granger has had to dominate the ball for many years now, but with Collison's arrival that should change. I believe Granger can play off ball and will still flourish as the go to scorer on this team. The coach also has to now change his playbook to better match his personal. In New Orleans, Collison was able to dominate the ball and make plays for others. He flourished in that type of system and while Indiana doesn't run that now, they should with Collison. 

Collison will be an immediate upgrade to anything Indiana had last season at the point guard position, and that alone should nudge the team in the right direction.