Fratello’s Fantasy Pick: Martell Webster

Phoenix Suns v Washington WizardsMartell Webster of the Washington Wizards has come on of late and is playing his best basketball of the season. The young and struggling 23-42 Wizards squad is currently on a 3-game winning streak and are a respectable 5-4 in the month of March.

A good portion of this success can be attributed to 6’7” SF Webster, who was plucked right out of high school and picked 6th overall in the 2005 NBA Draft. In his first season in D.C., the 8th-year pro is having one of the most productive stretches of his career.

In the nine March contests, Webster is averaging 16.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg and 1.9 apg in 35 mpg. The 26-year-old is also shooting 95% from the line and 46% from behind the arc over this span.

He has even more remarkable numbers over the past five games. The Seattle native has averaged 21.8 ppg while going 24 for 47 from 3-land. On Saturday night in a win against Phoenix, Webster scored a career-high 34 points, going 7-10 from the 3 and 7-7 at the line.

Webster’s court time and numbers have jumped in part due to injuries to Bradley Beal and Trevor Ariza, important components of the Wizard’s backcourt rotation. But with his play of late, coach Randy Wittman is sure to give ample run to Webster regardless of the health of others on the roster.

This week Washington plays four teams on the road that give up a ton of points – Charlotte, Phoenix, Lakers and Golden State. Now is a good time to add Webster to your fantasy team and watch him continue to pour in buckets.

Fratello’s Fantasy Pick: Martell Webster


The Trail Blazers keep on ticking. They refuse to let injuries be an excuse and are right in the middle of the Western conference race. Fifth-year forward Martell Webster has increasingly become an important contributor to the team’s success.

With so many players out Webster’s minutes have increased and so has his production. After sitting out the 2008-09 season with a stress fracture in his left foot, Webster got off to a slow start but is now pulling his weight in the starting lineup.

So far this month Webster is shooting 43% from the 3-point line and averaging 18 ppg and seven rebounds in 39 minutes. In Friday’s emphatic win over the Magic he grabbed 9 rebounds and led his team in scoring with 24 points.

Sometimes it takes a while for players straight out of high school to develop and I think we’re seeing Martell come into his own this season. His confidence is up  –  he knows what he’s doing on the court and how to perform. I look for him to deliver a solid second half.