Hoops Haven

Author: Alastair Ingram (21 Articles)

Alastair Ingram reveals the Fantasy Forecast every Friday here on Hoops Haven. Ingram is a radio play by play voice for Vermont Catamount Athletics on WVMT in Burlington, VT. He is one of the lead fantasy basketball columnists for FanHuddle.com, and his work also appears regularly on BerningOnSports.com. He'll try to find you a gem or two on the waiver wire, or let you know when to drop an underachiever like a bad habit.

No Mo Williams

Cavaliers starting point guard Mo Williams is out for at least a month with a sprained left shoulder, leaving Delonte West behind the driver’s seat in Cleveland (ok, maybe he’s riding shotgun, because LeBron is clearly driving).

Williams had been averaging 16.9 PPG, 5.1 APG, 1.2 STL and was shooting nearly 43% from 3 point range this season, which means West will have a tough time filling those shoes.

Still, the former St. Joe’s standout has made at least one three in 8 of his last 9 games and will now see big time minutes at the point.

West made his first start of the season Thursday night in a win over the Lakers and played nearly 43 minutes. His contributions were far from impressive (3 points, 1-4 FG, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks), but his playing time was the most important statistic of the Cavs’ win.

With consistent PT, Delonte has proven he can average about 4.5 assists and 1+ steal a game, and if playing 40 minutes a night becomes a trend, those figures could easily escalate. Daniel Gibson is a darkhorse candidate for increased minutes in the backcourt, especially if West can’t cut it in the starting 5.

The Other Lopez, Channing Fried

While 2008’s 10th overall pick, Brook Lopez, has developed a stud fantasy center for the dreadful Nets, it’s easy to forget his brother Robin, who for most his brief career has been rotting on the Suns’ bench.

 Not anymore, for the 2008’s 15th overall selection, who apparently stole Anderson Varejao’s hair.

Robin has been somewhat of a stud himself in Phoenix’s last 4 games: 16.0 PPG, 71% FG, 5.5 RPG, and 3.3 BLK.

The former Stanford big man has also started the last two games for the Suns, putting up a combined 39 points on 16 of 20 shooting, 14 rebounds, and 4 blocks in 62+ minutes (one of those games ironically game against Brook, who put up a casual 26 and 13).

Now that Lopez is in, someone else is out, and that someone is Channing Frye.

The former Blazer’s last 6 games have been abysmal compared to the production that his owners have been used to this season. In those 6 contests, Frye has shot just 7-34 from the field (20.6%) with averages of just 4.2 PPG and 4.0 RPG.

He’s been a valuable and versatile commodity this year with the ability to score, rebound, block shots, and hit threes, but it appears his role has changed significantly.

Basically anyone with an ounce of offensive talent can succeed in the Suns’ system with Steve Nash running the show, so I wouldn’t hesitate to add Robin’s wacky hair to your roster. If Batman’s available, add him too.

Don’t Skip To My Lou

Those that thought a move to Miami would enhance Rafer Alston’s fantasy value have been severely mistaken.

Alston is getting the chance to make an impact, playing nearly 30 minutes a night and starting all 8 games in which he’s played. In those 8 contests however, Alston is shooting less than 39% from the field (although that’s a lot better than his 34.3% in New Jersey) and is averaging just 7.4 PPG, 3.0 APG, and 2.1 RPG.

His last 3 games have been especially disappointing, combining for just 16 points on 5 of 16 shooting, 10 assists, and 5 rebounds.

Miami has yet to see the payoff from a guy who proved to be an invaluable replacement for Jameer Nelson last year in Orlando (12.0 PPG, 5.1 APG, 1.8 STL). In Wednesday’s 104-65 blowout loss at Charlotte, Dorell Wright put up 16 points and 7 rebounds in 28 minutes, 5 more than Alston played in a lackluster performance.

The Heat also have 2nd year guard Mario Chalmers, who started for nearly a month and a half at shooting guard to begin the year. Miami might be running out of patience with Alston in its starting lineup, and fantasy owners should be a step ahead.