Fratello’s Fantasy Pick: Mo Williams

January 24 by Leave a Comment

Ninth-year, 6-1 All-Star PG Maurice “Mo” Williams has delivered off the bench for the Clippers in the absence of top gun Chris Paul, who’s been sidelined for five straight games with a strained left hamstring. Williams scored 25+ points in his last three consecutive games.

Williams added 26 big ones to the scoreboard during last week’s thrilling 91-89 win over the reigning NBA World Champion Dallas Mavericks. Though his 25-point contribution wasn’t enough to lift L.A. to another W in Friday’s nail-biter against the Timberwolves, Williams sank another 26 points in Sunday’s solid 103-91 victory over the Raptors.

When the Cavaliers acquired Williams from the Bucks in 2008, he started at the point guard position alongside LeBron James. “Mo Gotti” put up some big numbers at the end of Cleveland’s heyday and was integral in helping his teammates achieve a franchise-best, league-leading 66–16 record in 2008–09 and top the standings again in the 2009-10 season with 61 wins.

On February 24, 2011, Williams was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers along with Jamario Williamson in exchange for Baron Davis and a first round pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. But Williams had to take a backseat after the arrival of Chris Paul and Chauncey Billups in December. Williams loves to play, so I’m sure it’s been a challenge for him to adjust to his new role of backup point guard.

Nevertheless, the veteran reserve is doing his part to help the Clips contend this season. Williams is averaging 14.5 ppg in 27 minutes and boasts a 91.3% shooting percentage from the free throw line. He also pulls down a couple rebounds and dishes out some dimes. It’s hard to say how long Williams’ double digit hot streak will last, but Coach Vinny Del Negro will certainly continue to be cautious about returning Paul to the lineup and will limit his minutes until he’s 100%.

The Clippers play three games this week starting with a crosstown showdown against the Lakers on Wednesday the 25th at 10:30 PM ET.

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Fratello’s Fantasy Pick: Ivan Johnson

January 16 by Leave a Comment

Less than a month into his pro career, fearless first-year, 6-8, 230-pound power forward Ivan Johnson has managed to upstage his platinum and ice smile with several splashy performances worthy of a veritable diamond in the rough.

Not your typical NBA rookie, the undrafted big from Cal State-San Bernardin paid his dues in the D-League and abroad before impressing Hawks’ coach Larry Drew during their preseason training camp and earning a spot on Atlanta’s roster at the age of 27. Ivan Johnson caught the attention of scouts with his physicality and First-Team All-NBDL honors-earning average of 22.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.8 steals in 49 games for the Erie Bayhawks last season.

However, Johnson was a wild card due to anger management issues that surfaced throughout his college and post-college career and culminated in a permanent ban from the Korean Basketball League due to unsportsmanlike conduct. Despite the red flags, the Hawks gave Johnson a chance to prove his worth, and Johnson appears to be making good on it.

“The other Johnson” was a surprise standout in Atlanta’s triple overtime loss to Miami earlier this month. When center Al Horford got into foul trouble, Johnson filled in and got four points, a steal and a rebound off the bench in Atlanta’s 12-0 run to close out the third quarter; and he added five points in the fourth.

Now with 2X All-Star Horford likely sidelined for the remainder of the season with a torn left pectoral muscle he suffered in last week’s loss to the Pacers, Johnson will have an opportunity to earn more meaningful minutes. Johnson got is first NBA double-double in Atlanta’s 93-91 comeback win over the Timberwolves on Saturday. He scored his team’s final four points, including the game-winning free throw with 4.6 seconds remaining, and finished with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 2 steals while playing a season-high 26 minutes in Horford’s absence.

Johnson’s hard work and hustle is earning him Coach Drew’s confidence and the respect of his teammates and fans. A tenacious defender who gets deflections and rebounds, Johnson gives Atlanta toughness on the defensive end. If Johnson continues to learn, mature and keep his emotions in check he can develop into an integral part of this Hawks team and help them contend for the postseason. Johnson and the Hawks will be tested four times this week starting with a trip to Toronto tonight.

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Fratello’s Fantasy Pick: MarShon Brooks

January 9 by Leave a Comment

Copyright 2011 NBAE - Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty ImagesIn his NBA debut, rookie guard MarShon Brooks has earned significant playing time off the Nets’ bench and shown flashes of his shooting prowess, which was highlighted by a 52-point rampage against Notre Dame when he broke the Big East record last year.

During his collegiate career with the Providence Friars, Brooks proved he could put the ball in the hole on a consistent basis. He averaged 24.6 ppg and evolved into the top scorer in the Big East by his senior year. A solid defender, Brooks also led his team in rebounding.

The 6’5”, 200-pound shooting star was drafted by the Boston Celtics with the 25th pick in 2011, but landed in his birth state of New Jersey by way of a draft day trade to the Nets.

Brooks has gotten off to a solid start so far in his pro career. He’s averaging 13.9 ppg in 23.4 minutes and is second in scoring behind All-Star point guard Deron Williams. He can sink shots from behind the 3-point line, penetrate off the dribble and hit lots in between. Brooks also helps out on the boards and has been pulling down a few rebounds each night.

The freshman has a lot to learn, but Brooks is destined for a bright future in this league as a big-time scorer. With the team’s top gun starting center Brook Lopez sidelined with a stress fracture in his right foot, the Nets desperately need Brooks’ firepower. As long as he stays healthy, Brooks will continue to get minutes and challenge 4th-year guard Anthony Morrow for the 2-spot in the Nets’ starting lineup. The Nets play four games this week beginning tonight at home game against the Atlanta Hawks at 7:30 PM EST on YES.

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Fratello’s Fantasy Pick: Norris Cole

January 2 by Leave a Comment

Copyright 2011 NBAE - Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty ImagesOff to a franchise-record 5-0 start, the Heat have exploded out of the gates with their fast-paced, league-leading 109.6 ppg offense. In addition to LeBron, Wade and Bosh, opposing defenders have a new headache on their hands in rising rookie star Norris Cole.

Originally drafted 28th overall by the Bulls in 2011, the Heat eventually acquired rights to the rapidly improving 6′ 2″ point guard through a trade with the Timberwolves. The four-year graduate from Cleveland State was the first player in history to be named both Horizon League Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season, in addition to earning an AP All-America Honorable Mention.

Cole has been equally impressive so far in his NBA debut, bringing energy, toughness and productivity to the Miami Heat roster. In the Heat’s home opener against the Celtics, Cole outscored all of his teammates (20 ppg) and racked up nine consecutive points in the final three minutes of the game to cement their 115-107 victory.

Cole has already moved into the Heat’s rotation and will be sharing minutes with Mario Chalmers. He’s averaging 12 points and 3.6 assists in 23.8 minutes, and he’ll also grab you a couple steals and rebounds.

Miami’s been looking for a point guard of the future, so now they have two candidates in Chalmers and Cole. Cole and the Heat will look to continue their hot streaks when they host the Hawks at AmericanAirlines Arena tonight at 7:30 PM ET.

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Fratello’s Fantasy Pick: Carl Landry

March 28 by Leave a Comment

Fourth-year PF Carl Landry turned out to be a critical pickup for the New Orleans Hornets, and he may also be valuable to Fantasy owners down the final stretch of the regular season. Landry’s acquisition from Sacramento in February added depth to the Hornets’ roster, and now that insurance policy is paying off.

Starting forward David West went down with a season-ending knee injury in the Hornets’ 121-117 overtime win at Utah last Thursday. With the loss of the team’s leading scorer (West averaged 18.9 ppg this season), Landry has landed in the starting lineup as the Hornets continue their playoff push.

Landry averaged 21.5 points and 8 rebounds in his first two starts. He contributed 19 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals in Friday’s 106-100 win over Phoenix. And though the Hornets will finish the regular season winless against Los Angeles, Landry followed up with another huge performance in Sunday’s 104-82 loss to the Lakers, cashing in a season-high 24 chips in the contest on 8 of 16 shooting from the field. He also added 10 rebounds, 1 block and 1 assist in 44 minutes.

Carl Landry is a hardnosed competitor who has a steel mill mentality. He’s a terrific team player who works hard and sets a great example for young players in the league. Landry’s midrange jump shot has improved over the last couple years, bolstering his offensive game. After he was traded to Sacramento last season, Landry averaged 18 points over their final 28 games.

NOLA teammates and fans are counting on Landry to come through with another big finish and to continue to produce over the remaining eight games in order to fulfill their postseason quest. New Orleans (42-32) currently sits seventh in the West, just ahead of Memphis (41-33). The Hornets will be helped out by a five-game home stretch and are slated to play three games this week beginning with a matchup against their Western Conference foes – the sixth-seeded Trail Blazers on Wednesday.

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