Fratello’s Fantasy Pick: Courtney Lee

January 28 by Leave a Comment

Copyright 2013 NBAE - Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty ImagesOn Sunday the Celtics ended their 6-game losing streak with a 100-98 win over the Heat in double overtime.

But Boston’s victory celebration was cut short when the team learned that All-Star PG Rajon Rondo will miss the rest of the season and beyond due to a torn ACL he sustained during Friday’s double OT loss to the Hawks.

Rondo has averaged a league-leading 11.1 apg this year to go along with 13.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg and 1.8 spg in 37.4 mpg. This loss is devastating for the 21-23 C’s as they fight to regain the form that had them leading in the fourth quarter in Game 7 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals before succumbing to the Heat.

Though Coach Doc Rivers has a few options on his bench, he’ll probably slide fifth-year combo guard Courtney Lee into the Celts’ starting lineup.

In his first season with the storied Celtics, Lee is averaging 7.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.4 apg and 1.1 spg in 22.7 mpg. Including Sunday’s W, Lee has started in 11 contests so far, covering for the injured Avery Bradley as well as for Rondo when he’s been out.

Lee has season highs of 18 points, 5 dimes, 9 boards and 3 steals (8X). Whether at the PG or SG position, 27-year-old Lee has the experience and athleticism to help fill the huge void left by Rondo’s injury.

With 14th-year, 6’2” SG Jason Terry suffering through one of his worst years statistically and shooting 38% since December 1st, Rivers will lean heavily on Lee to pick up some of Rondo’s minutes and production.

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Fratello’s Fantasy Pick: Jared Sullinger

January 22 by Leave a Comment

Copyright 2013 NBAE - Photo by J. Dennis/Einstein/NBAE via Getty ImagesAs the NBA fantasy season reaches its regular season midpoint, team GMs looking to shore up the depth and breadth of their rosters focus more heavily on developing their rookies.

Coach Doc Rivers of the Boston Celtics has been frustrated with his underperforming, veteran roster. They are just 20-20 and have had difficulty putting away lesser opponents. In addition, the C’s are 29th in the Association in rebounding.

In order to inject some toughness and glass-cleaning ability into the Celt’s rotation, Rivers has been giving more burn to 20-year-old rookie Jared Sullinger. The 2X consensus First Team All-American at Ohio State was selected by GM Danny Ainge with the 21st overall pick in last year’s draft after declaring at the end of his sophomore season.

The 6’9”, 270-pound power forward was initially expected to be a high lottery pick, but dropped after teams discovered some back issues. In a few seasons Sullinger could wind up being regarded as the steal of the 2012 draft.

Sullinger has competed in all 40 of Boston’s games so far. While his season averages of 6.1 ppg and 6 rpg in 20 mpg are modest, he is coming on strong of late. In January, Sullinger is averaging 7.9 ppg and 8.5 rpg in 25.6 mpg over ten games. In this same stretch, he is shooting 51.5% from the field and has 3 games in double figure points and 4 games in double figure rebounds. Sullinger has season highs of 16 points (2X) and 16 boards.

Sullinger’s glaring downside is that he leads the NBA in fouls per 48 minutes, so staying on the floor can be a challenge. However, Coach Rivers has expressed confidence in his mature, rookie and that has translated into minutes when it matters. Look for this young PF’s production to increase as he becomes more accustomed to Boston’s complex defensive sets and the speed of the pro game.

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Fratello’s Fantasy Pick: Harrison Barnes

January 15 by Leave a Comment

Copyright 2013 NBAE - Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty ImagesMost fantasy rosters are fairly set as the NBA season nears the midpoint. Now is the time for fantasy GMs to shore up their benches with value players whose second-half production is expected to increase.

One such player is rookie SF Harrison Barnes of the Golden State Warriors. The 6’8” silky shooter played two seasons in Chapel Hill for coach Roy Williams before being taken 7th overall in last spring’s draft. The Iowa native was considered by most to be the top high school recruit in the 2010 class.

After a rough introduction to the pro game, 20-year-old Barnes has adjusted and is proving to be an outstanding addition to Golden State’s young nucleus. The 23-13 Warriors are off to their best start in decades.

Barnes has started in all 36 contests. He is averaging 9.5 ppg and 4.3 rpg in 25.6 mpg for the talented Bay Area squad. And Barnes has scored in double figures in 6 of the last 7 games.

In Sunday’s loss to Denver, Barnes scored a season-high 21 points on 8 for 11 shooting. He has season highs of 13 boards, 4 dimes (3X) and 3 steals.

Barnes has earned the confidence of head coach Mark Jackson and does not face much competition for minutes at the 3-spot. In fact, Coach Jackson recently stated, “It’s important for him to realize that he has the green light, if he wants to come down, get a rebound and facilitate a play, I want him to do that, and he has the light to do that.”

As the season progresses and opposing teams look to lock down Golden State’s top players, Barnes will have the opportunity for more shots and added offensive freedom. Look for this rookie to improve his numbers in the second half of the schedule.

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Fratello’s Fantasy Pick: Damian Lillard

January 8 by Leave a Comment

Copyright 2013 NBAE - Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty ImagesPoint guard Damian Lillard has exceeded expectations and demonstrated great maturity in his rookie campaign with the Trail Blazers.

The 6’3” Oakland native was selected 6th overall in last spring’s NBA draft after a tremendous career at Weber State, where he was a 2X Big Sky Conference Player of The Year.

In his pro debut against the Lakers on Halloween, Lillard went for 23 points and 11 assists, joining Oscar Robertson and Isiah Thomas as the only players in league history with at least 20 points and 10 assists in their first NBA games.

The hardworking freshman is the only Portland player to start all 33 matchups so far this season. The co-MVP of the 2012 NBA Summer League is putting up averages of 18.2 ppg, 6.4 apg, 3.4 rpg and 1 spg in 37.9 mpg.

Lillard has scored in double figures in 31 of his 33 contests. He has season highs of 29 points, 11 dimes (3X), 8 boards and 3 steals (2X).

Named Western Conference Rookies of the Month for December, Lillard is widely considered the front-runner for 2013 NBA Rookie of The Year.

Prior to the start of the season, Lillard’s average draft position in the hoops fantasy realm was between 90 and 100. Even though the league is stacked at the 1-spot, his fantasy value has risen to somewhere in the high twenties.

The main knock against this talented and brash rookie is his 42% shooting from the field. But Lillard makes 85% from the line and 37% from behind the arc. And his shooting should improve as the season progresses. If your roster needs a PG, Lillard is still a solid value.

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Fratello’s Fantasy Pick: Andrei Kirilenko

December 31 by Leave a Comment

The 14-13 Minnesota Timberwolves have played 11 games without their do-everything All-Star Kevin Love. And Ricky Rubio, the exciting sophomore PG who finished second in last year’s ROY voting, has missed all but five of the Wolves’ contests so far this season.

First-year Timberwolf Andrei Kirilenko has stepped up nicely for coach Rick Adelman to help keep the Minnesota squad competitive even with their roster injuries.

After spending his first 10 seasons with the Utah Jazz, the one time NBA All-Star (2004) and First Team All-Defensive member (2006) returned to his native Russia last year to play for his former European team CSKA Moscow. At the end of the season, Kirilenko was named the 2011-2012 Euroleague MVP.

This past summer the 6’9 combo forward signed with the Timberwolves. Many fantasy GMs were skeptical of how much Kirilenko had left in his NBA basketball tank. Prior to this season, his average fantasy draft position was somewhere near 110 overall. After starting and playing effectively in 23 of the Wolves first 27 contests, his fantasy ranking has soared.

Kirilenko is averaging 35.1 mpg, 13.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.7 spg and 1.4 bpg while shooting 52% from the floor. He has season highs of 26 points, 12 boards (2X), 6 dimes (4X), 4 steals (2X) and 4 blocks (2X). Bottom line: This savvy veteran can fill up a stat sheet and is capable in stretches of leading the team at both ends of the floor.

As the long season progresses and he becomes more familiar with his coach and new teammates, look for Kirilenko’s numbers to rise in all categories. He is a value fantasy pick-up right now.

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