Fantasy Notes: MLB Opening Day, NBA Surprises

On the same day that the Major League Baseball season opened up in the States, the NBA offered 9 games.  There were plenty of surprise performances with the playoff and lottery race very much intact.  We saw Zach Randolph and Shawn Marion sit out, while the Timberwolves shocked the Jazz, and only word of a future return of Dirk Nowitzki offered some positive news for Dallas.  Here’s a look at Sunday’s fantasy highlights. 

LUIS SCOLA: 24 Points, 7 Rebounds, 10-12 Free Throw Shooting

The argument continues to grow that Luis Scola is the greatest impact rookie, and therefore, more deserving than Kevin Durant for the Rookie of the Year honors.  The Argentina native has helped fill the void that opened when Yao Ming went down with a season-ending foot injury.  On the season, Scola averages just 10 points and 6 rebounds per game.  Since the All Star break, those numbers have improved to 13 points and 8 rebounds per game.  At the age of 27, this 6’9 forward should be in his prime.  Sunday’s performance should be more common next season, even with Yao Ming taking up most of the paint. 

MICHAEL FINLEY: 22 Points, 6 Rebounds, 9-13 Field Goal Shooting

No longer a 20-plus per game scorer, Finley has evolved into a role player in his time at San Antonio, but as the season nears its finish, Finley has raised his game.  The sharpshooter is averaging 19.5 points per game over the past four games.  With Tim Duncan playing the post, and a healthy Tony Parker driving the lane, Finley benefits most from wide-open shots, and the savvy veteran is knocking them down.  I’d expect an average of 12 points per game from hereon out, but if you’re looking for three-pointers, he can certainly fill the void. 

RYAN GOMES: 17 Points, 4 Rebounds, 8-13 Field Goal Shooting

Once considered an undersized power forward, Gomes has expanded his shooting prowess, and is now knocking down three-pointers, while also able to back down smaller defenders.  Gomes is simply an above average scorer who is averaging 16 points per game in March, along with 6 rebounds and 48% shooting from beyond the arc.  He gathers some steals and shoots at a sensational rate from the field and the charity stripe.  It looks like Gomes, just 25, might become a fixture at the forward position for the Timberwolves.  A pleasant surprise in reality, and fantasy too. 

JAMAL CRAWFORD: 39 Points, 8 Assists, 7 Three-Pointers

The Knicks are once again a disaster this season, but you can’t blame their sweet-shooting guard.  Compared to the fiery John Starks, and the overpaid Allan Houston, Crawford flies under the radar.  While his shooting percentages are less than stellar (41% field goal, 35% from downtown), he is a streaky shooter who knows how to score.  He is knocking down a career-best 86% of his free throws, and dishing out a solid 5 assists per game, to make up for the loss of Stephon Marbury.  His turnovers are low, and his scoring is high.  I have a feeling that the Knicks will make some changes to their roster for next season; let’s hope that someone other than Isiah makes the calls, and Crawford is one of the players that sticks. 

MARVIN WILLIAMS: 27 Points, 11 Rebounds, 2 Blocks

We know what Joe Johnson brings to the table.  We love Josh Smith for his high-flying dunks and blocks.  Mike Bibby can knock down three-after-three when he’s feeling it.  Al Horford is one of the better low post prospects in the game.  What exactly does Marvin Williams bring to the table?  This is a tough question to figure as the Hawks make a run for the playoffs, and until Sunday night Williams was mostly quiet.  He’s got an improved jump shot and all the talent in the world, but he is not a good passer, gets left out of the rebounding thanks to Horford and Smith, and does not have an outside shot to offer like Johnson or Bibby.  Right now, Williams is in no-man’s land, which is not a god payoff for the Hawks who invested a second pick overall on him over Chris Paul and Deron Williams.  Chances are that Williams will simply be left out of the fray until the Hawks either move him, or Josh Smith.  They are both talented small forwards who can rack up rebounds and points, but do not mutually benefit together. 

PEJA STOJAKOVIC: 25 Points, 4 Rebounds, 5 Three-Pointers

His best days are behind him, but that does not mean he’s done.  It appears that Peja Stojakovic has finally shaken off the injury bug, and is now knocking down threes at a career best pace, while grabbing some steals, rebounds, with sensational shooting percentages.  The best news for Peja is that the pressure is not on him.  No longer expected to carry an offense, which he did nearly five years ago when he averaged 24 points per game, Peja fits into an offense that Chris Paul handles with David West as the team’s lead option.  His career best 45% three-point shooting rate suggests that the shots he’s taking are less contested than ever before. 

EARL WASTON: 20 Points, 12 Assists, 2 Three-Pointers

The veteran point guard will turn 29 this summer, yet Earl Waston is enjoying his best season.  The 6.6 assists are a career high, and his 10 points per game are also a first.  With an improved outside shot, Watson is starting to offer fantasy managers more than they ever hoped.  Considered a one-dimensional passer, similar to Brevin Knight, Watson is shooting the ball better than ever, and turns the ball over at a sensational rate, considering how often the ball is in his hands.  Watson is a fine fantasy option for the remainder of the season, but be warned that in a youth movement, I would not be surprised to see the Sonics draft a point guard this off-season. 

Rob Shaw is the Lead Expert for FantasyFanatics.com, the premier fantasy sports community.

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