(Ugh. That was too much alliteration, even for me.)

This is part of a continuing series of Q&A’s and chats with GMs in my fantasy league. In this one, I ask Raps Fan of Raptors Republic about his websites, the potential Big Bosh Problem and more.

Pete Marasmitch: The Raptors FANtasy League season opens with the two of us matched up. Who are you most excited about on your team?

Raps Fan: Gotta go with Brandon Roy. He is going to have a very big year, now that he can play off the ball. 25PTS 6AST 5REB sounds about right to me.

PM: And what about this year’s Toronto Raptors? Which player would you especially like to succeed, and why?

RF: Easy — Andrea Bargnani. The Raptors have very little chance of getting to the next level with him doing nothing but dropping 17 a game. If he can grab 8-10 boards, I would be a happy camper. Read more »

With five key players on this Toronto Raptors team that hail from overseas, there are bound to be non-English articles out there that are of interest to us North American fans. Case in point: this Italian interview with new Raptors strength and conditioning coach Francesco Cuzzolin. Don’t you wish that someone could translate it for you? Well, your wish just came true.

Thanks to mookie from A Stern Warning for the translation work.

Francesco Cuzzolin, who has come from Benetton Treviso, is now with the Raptors to act as trainer.

How is your experience going so far?

Super. Truly beyond all expectations since arriving. With different working methods and different ideas in terms of administration and off-the-court, it was not easy to put everything into practice immediately.

As a third of the team is European, it’s really easy to work with them. And of course, there was immediately great harmony with the two Italians. Read more »

Andrea Bargnani, special thanks to you for proving the doubters wrong. Same to you, Jason Terry. Al Horford, get well soon. Earl the Pearl, time for you to shine.

****************

Oh, and to top it off, Our Roko might start tonight in Boston against the Celtics.

Best Monday ever?

I won’t blame Bargnani for being off-balanced. (REUTERS/Danny Moloshok)

• He had a very good rookie year, drawing heady praises and whispers of year-end awards
• In the past season and a half, he’s been jerked around from bench to starter, power forward to centre to small forward, perimeter to paint
• Despite obvious struggles, he still has improved from his rookie year — see his free throw percentage, rebounds, blocks and turnovers
• This is only his third season. If Bargnani’s designated position is centre, he’ll need more time to show his potential. Centres take longer to develop, dontchaknow.

Looks like Anthony Parker will have his hands full again. (Don Ryan/AP)

Pete: And what’s up with Steve Blake and Sergio Rodriguez? Who’s getting more burn now?
Kellex: That’s another weird battle. At one point Sergio was demanding trades via crazy Spanish agents and then he’s dropping 9 dimes and 0 turnovers and getting a ton of minutes and then the next night, Blake is blowing up from deep, scoring 20+ in back to back nights and earning almost 30 mins a game. You just never know.
Pete: Didn’t know Blake’s got that in him! So, whoever’s got the hot hand?
Kellex: Definitely. Although we’ve been seeing a lot of Rodriguez as a spark at the end of quarters. He and Fernandez together are “electric.”
Pete: Yeah, they’re frying up the YouTubes.
Kellex: And he just keeps adding more.
Pete: Okay, I got a depth chart pulled up over here. B. Roy is the starting SG – or is he? Same with Blake at PG. Who starts? Who gets most minutes where?
Kellex: I think Blake is pulling almost 30 mins now as the starting PG with Roy almost 36 mins at SG. Batum (another of our rookie phenoms) is at the SF and was phenomenal for a while, but has seemed to have hit some sort of rookie wall. Aldridge at the PF and Oden starting now at C.
Pete: Yeah, Batum. I kinda wanted him for the Raps. No worries about his heart now?
Kellex: He seems just fine.
Pete: I guess with the PG battle, there’s not much room for Jerryd Bayless. What’s expected out of him?
Kellex: He’s definitely been left out which is too bad…he is the reigning Vegas summer league MVP. I think for now, he just doesn’t have a spot…not sure if they plan on some trade later this year with Rodriguez or Outlaw to free up space for Bayless or not. He’s fun to watch, but probably should be playing the 2 somewhere.
Pete: Ha, you read my mind. What would you shore up, if you were to trade? SF?

Nicolas Batum and Jerryd Bayless, as discussed. Please ignore Ike Diogu. (Bruce Ely/The Oregonian)

Kellex: A week ago, I was all for the Travis Outlaw trade with the way Batum was playing and the fact that Webster is about to be back…but now Batum is showing his age, and Outlaw is lighting it up from deep. I think for now, I’m still on the “leave Webster on the bench” bandwagon.
Pete: Hmmm. So no chance of Rudy to TO, huh?
Kellex: Hah. I’m going to say no to that one.
Pete: Shoot.
Kellex: He and Bargs battling for skinniest Euro could be scary!
Pete: Hahahaha. Don’t forget Roko.
Kellex: Who is this Roko character? I keep hearing the name, still wondering what’s up.
Pete: He’s the Pete Marasmitch mascot, thankyouverymuch.
Kellex: Hah! Yahoo has one pic, and the stats aren’t burning my eyes…so what’s the inside scoop on him? Funny story?
Pete: Here’s everything you need to know. He’s our backup PG of the future. In the present.
It’s sad that the Raptors have at least 2-3 “what’s up with this guy” players and the Blazers have one. One.
Kellex: True, but Bosh is about to change that for the Raps. So…MVP chatter?
Pete: Oh wait. There’s Shavlik Randolph.
Kellex: Shhhh! We don’t admit that we have Dukies on the team.

Welcome to “Shav Country,” which is apparently left of Sean-Dockerytown. (truthaboutduke.com)

Pete: Fair enough. What’s your MVP list?
Kellex: LeBron is quickly distancing himself from everyone including Mr. Bryant. Bosh in there at 3rd or 4th in a close matchup with Roy.
Pete: Let’s see how Boshy does the rest of the way (any more 40 pt games in him?). And what about Chauncey? He on the list?
Kellex: Hard to put Chauncey on the list even though his presence in Denver has definitely been felt. He just doesn’t carry that “Nash” factor which is needed for PG’s to win an MVP award.
Pete: Don’t remind me of Steve. Poor, poor guy. He supposedly has the flu. I think he has a broken heart. Or suffocated in a sandwich bag.
Full circle!
Kellex: Hah. His presence on the bench is not fitting nicely on my fantasy team. Let’s just leave it at that.
Pete: You got him too, eh? Luckily, I also got JET.
Kellex: And your boy J. O’Neal.
Pete: Condolences.
Kellex: Yeah it’s been rough…Yao, T-Mac, Nash, O’Neal…all injured.
Pete: You got Yao and T-Mac too?! You poor man.
Kellex: Yes…speaking of O’Neal, what’s the deal? Is he fitting in? Too injured? Too weenie? Too…former JailBlazer?
Pete: Not at all. He’s been awesome. I think he’s been a huge difference maker to Bargnani. Bargs has become way more defensively … useful. I think he’s been watching and training with JO a lot, and it’s rubbing off. But JO still needs to look after his knees.
Kellex: Hell yes he does…I need 15 and 10 from him every night!
Pete: He can do that. Plus a couple blocks. He just needs to leave the knee brace on. And Coach Triano has to have a good bigs rotation. I think he will.
Kellex: Triano…the sort-of-newbie? Used to coach Team Canada?
Pete: That’s right. Apparently, he’s been with us for 7 years. He’s survived a few Raptors coaching regimes. Hired by Grunwald, if I’m not mistaken.

Nash and Triano. I’m all about hitting two birds with one stone. (from SFU.ca)

Kellex: Well, nice to see him get his chance then. Good luck to that. Raptors were due for a big change, don’t you think?
Pete: I hope so. But they’ve had a big turnaround since BC arrived. Gotta recognize that.
Do we have enough time to squeeze in some GOde talk?
Kellex: Definitely. What you got?
Pete: What do you think: superstar? dominator? whelming? underwhelming? You heard what Bill Simmons said?
Kellex: I heard what Bill said…I tend to agree for the most part. The thing is, the guy is so young and hasn’t played in a year. It’s not like he’s going to come out and dominate the world. For me, it’s the intensity and the “look” in his eyes. I don’t see anything fierce or fiery…as a fan I want him to WANT to be a beast and I don’t see it yet.
Pete: You think he’ll reach that D-How swagger level? Or is it just not in him?
Kellex: Not in him. I hope I’m wrong but I don’t see it. He’ll be a force, but on a passive level. One night you’ll get 20 boards and the next you’ll probably get 6.
Pete: Ah, kinda Bosh-like.
Kellex: Nah, don’t give GO that much credit.
Pete: You don’t think he’s Franchise material?
Kellex: Not at all…Brandon Roy is the franchise and Oden will hopefully be a key piece to take them to championships. I don’t see him as ever being the dominant force that people had envisioned, but that’s OK. The Blazers need him to be a defensive animal, which he will be, and score 12-15 points a game, which he also will do.
Pete: I’d be happy with that.
Hey, Knicks in 2010 – LeBron, D-Wade and Bosh? The new Big Three?
Kellex: I hope so! Not that I want the Knicks to be winning multiple chips, but it would be exciting for the world to see. Isn’t the major goal to make the NBA bigger than the NFL?
Pete: Yes! Yes! YES!!

Three-fer! Please ignore Amare. I did in my fantasy draft. (from ESPN.com)

Who would be the new Knicks’ Rondo and Perk?
Kellex: I think D’Antoni actually likes Duhon for whatever reason; the system fits his game … 22 assists the other night and then another 12 or so against the Blazers.
Pete: But can he shoot?
Kellex: Well no…although he did light it up against Portland. Maybe his Duke-ness is wearing off or something.
Pete: “Duhon …. I can see your Duke-ness.”
Kellex: Hah! Exactly.
Pete: On that note, let’s douse the fire.
Kellex: Predictions?
Pete: Raptors 133 – Blazers 132 (2OT)
Kellex: Solid. I’m going Blazers by 7. Seven seems like a lucky number to people and we were lucky enough to grab Brandon Roy who, of course, wears number 7.
What are we pouring on this fire? Sam Mitchell Gatorade?
Pete: Calderon bobbleheads? Egg McMuffins?
Kellex: That’ll work.
Pete: Thanks for dropping by, Kellex.
Kellex: Thanks for having me!

This news is so November 21, but it’s worth broadcasting: Sternest Meanings now does t-shirts!

I’d love for a basketball-themed shirt to make the cut. With the upcoming Raptors/Blazers game in mind, here are some ideas:

Toronto Raptors’ Andrea Bargnani = Stronger or radiant or top banana.
Toronto center Jermaine O’Neal = Ornate, ornate lemon rejection.
Portland Blazers center Greg Oden = Plodders brazen, not gentler grace.
Rudy Fernandez = Frenzy and rude.

Did you get some neat anagram results through Sternest? Please copy and paste them into the comments section.

Big Bargnani is defending the 3 just fine. (Photo by Nick Wass/AP)

Stern: Well it all sounds like positives. He’s definitely got that outside stroke. So offensively it sounds like he’s not struggling, with that 17ppg average in the last week.
12:40PM Pete: Yeah. He seems comfortable and confident. Must be playing the 3. It’s his natural position, apparently, much more so than the 5.
He’s been a perimeter-oriented player all his life. He’s like a swingman trapped in a center’s body.
12:41PM Stern: The Terry Mills of Europe?
Pete: (short pause while I Google Terry Mills…)
Stern: Hahahaha…
12:42PM Pete: Uh, yeah, like Terry Mills.
Stern: Yep, a 6′10″ three point shooter. Mills also had the unfortunate fact that he was a little “well-covered” as a problem.
12:43PM But yeah, there are plenty of examples around of big men who get forced to play down low when the perimeter is where their game is at.
Pete: The good thing, though, is AB’s now rebounding better,
12:44PM slashing to the hoop, swatting shots.
Stern: Swatting shots!
Pete: Yessir, he can block. Isn’t he tied with JO on the team?
Stern: Nice… if he is, that’s impressive. I have to admit that I didn’t know he was a shot-blocker.
12:45PM Even if he doesn’t want to play on the low block, the ability to swat shots in combination with Bosh/JO is a great thing to have.
Pete: The only thing is, what to do once JO is gone?
Stern: Is that a certainty?
12:46PM Pete: It seems to me that he’s on the downward slope of his abilities.
12:47PM Stern: Definitely. I still don’t understand where that came from though. I was hoping (for his sake) that it was merely a couple (or less than a couple) of “off” seasons and that he would be back on track now, “refreshed.”
Pete: I think there’s been too much damage to his knees. Well, hopefully I’m wrong.
12:48PM Maybe the best is yet to come.
Stern: On the damage to his knees, hopefully you’re right. I mean the way he slid as he punched out that fan in Detroit must have caused some strain!
Bargnani’s 1.4 blocks per is impressive, particularly if he’s playing the 3.
12:49PM Pete: Averaged 1.3 last week.
Stern: It’s not Dwyane Wade territory though… that guy is phenomenal for his size! Last time I looked he was averaging 1.6…
Pete: Is this the segue to our swingmen discussion?
Stern: Well, why not, I guess!
12:50PM Pete: Okay, I want a swingman for my Raptors. Who’s out there?
Stern: I’m still coming to terms with why J-Moon is not a suitable option. I mean, he lit the league up last season it seemed… or was that just a highlight-reel sensation?
12:51PM Pete: He did play better last year, but I don’t know – Is it just a cold start this year? Is he not getting himself focused?
Stern: He doesn’t seem to be getting the same minutes. Is that a result of his play, or the cause?
Pete: Result of his play. He’s not hitting his shots. He’s biting on every pump fake.
12:52PM Stern: 27mpg last season, 22mpg this.
Pete: What’s his FG% this year?
Stern: 46% this season, 48.5% last. Blocks down from 1.4 to 0.9.
Pete: Smitch: drop 2.5%, you outta there!
Stern: Rebounds down from 6.2 to 3.0.
Pete: Aha, there’s another telling stat.
12:53PM Stern: Smitch is a tough’un!
Yeah, the rebounds drop is a big one, non-commensurate with his drop in minutes. Remarkably his steals are up 1.0 to 1.3. whoops – 1.2 I meant.
12:54PM Pete: Mmm. Marginal. Sorry – having lunch.

Jamario Moon’s seat is a lot warmer lately. (Photo by Adrian Wyld/AP)

Stern: Yeah. I guess though most of the time it’s an intuitive thing for a coach, if he doesn’t look like he’s in synch, then he doesn’t want him out there. You’d know more, as I haven’t seen enough Raps action to comment.
12:55PM What are you eating?
Pete: PBJ. It’s Back-To-School Day in my lunch bag.
Stern: Nice. One of my all-time faves. Right up there with peanut-butter and banana!
12:56PM Whoops. I’m conscious of time here now, as I realise I will have to do a bolt in about 5mins…
Pete: D’oh!
Stern: Well I can stretch it a little I’m sure. I have to get to a movie though.
12:57PM Wall Street — that’s right, it’s 1985 all over again here!
Pete: I hear they’re doing a sequel.
Stern: Really? That might be the impetus for the screening then. Makes sense with the current financial climate.
12:58PM Everyone is cutting costs to get their hands on LeBron. That is what has caused the crisis!
Pete: I knew it!
Stern: On that note are you worried about Bosh being a target and leaving?
Pete: Nah. I trust what Bryan Colangelo is trying to do. And I think CB thinks likewise.
12:59PM Stern: It seems like there is a great environment in T-dot and they’re building something good. He’s having a great season!
Pete: He’s been awesome. Thank you, Olympic experience.
Stern: Spot on. I think the Olympics has helped a few players out. Back to the topic of your swingman… that’s a tough one.
1:00PM What do the Raptors need at that position? A scorer or a defender? A facilitator a la Odom?
Pete: A 2 who can be a top-2 or 3 scorer, or a lockdown defender. I’ll accept either.
1:01PM Stern: A better scorer than Anthony Parker?
Pete: Yeah. AP, I think, is done once the season’s over. Back to Europe.
Stern: Ah, I thought I’d hear word of that.
1:02PM Well, in the lockdown defenders department, you’d have to think that Battier would be on the market, given the Artest-McGrady combo being in Houston.
Pete: Is Battier still getting minutes? Is he aging before our eyes?
Stern: He’s been injured to start the season. I’m not sure what his stats have been like since…
1:03PM Pete: I wonder if there’s anybody worthwhile in the 2009 draft.
Stern: Battier has not played yet.
Hmmm. I can’t profess to know much of who is coming in 2009.
Pete: The Raps haven’t much wiggle room salary-wise.
1:04PM So I figure trade or draft. Kapono? Expiring contracts? Not much else worthwhile. Fans are suggesting Bargnani. (How’s that for full-circle?)
1:05PM Stern: Wow! hahaha! That is full-circle…I don’t know what sort of value you get for Bargnani.
1:06PM He is on the up at the moment, so perhaps now is as good a time as any to pull the trigger. He’s by no means a Darko anyway.
Pete: Yeah, sell high, Wall Street.
Stern: Greed is good!

Greed is good. Bargnani is better.

Hmmm… other swingmen?
Pete: Monta Ellis!
Stern: Golden State has all of those …
1:07PM …you beat me to it!
Pete: Beat ya to it!
Stern: Well, Monta would be a handy replacement for Parker at the 2. However, he’s on big bucks now, after signing that pre-moped contract.
Pete: Well, that’s out then.
1:08PM Stern: Kapono… *shakes head*
Pete: A shooter who won’t shoot.
Stern: That was always going to be one of those signings where people said afterwards, “why did you sign that guy to a contract on the weight of playing on one championship team?” He’s a big Damon Jones.
1:09PM Without the attitude and the Chinese shoe contract.
Pete: I think it made sense, as long as he shoots. I wonder if he worries about being labelled a chucker.
Stern: True. Has he been hesitant on his shot? If you’ve got lowpost guys (e.g. Bosh, JO) drawing people, he’s perfect for the Raps.
1:10PM Pete: You’d think! But he’s not shooting enough for some crazy reason. If I had a 50% on 3PT, I’d be hoisting it everytime I get the ball. And he’s got a quick trigger.
Stern: Me too. I don’t need an invite!
1:11PM Strange.

Pete: Someone said his big contract messed with his head.
Stern: Perhaps. Or maybe not having Shaq feeding him the ball did it?
Pete: Or the threat of Shaq sitting on him?
1:12PM Stern: That is enough for anyone! Even Oden got scared by that.
Pete: We need a scared-Oden photo right here…
Stern: Definitely!

Trust us: Oden looks scared here. (Photo by Paul Connors/AP)

Ohh… can we do a “to be continued” on this? I really should hit the subway.
1:13PM Pete: Sure.
Stern: Thanks for this, it’s been fun! Hopefully we can do it again sometime.
1:14PM There’s plenty more we can talk about of course…
Pete: Yep, we can do it again another time. Enjoy the ’80s hairdos!
1:15PM Stern: Great. Thanks. Talk to you soon!
Pete: Thanks for dropping by!

So that was in the spring of 2007. Flash forward to January 2008, and Dr. Greenberg’s enthusiasm was decidely muted. But enthusiasm is still there – a “top-notch” player, but not top ten in NBA history.

Bargnani, 2008-2009 edition, sounds very good for the 12th round in the Give Me The Mock draft, and top-three big on the Raptors rotation.

(Photo courtesy of Caliper)

It was great to hear on the radio this morning that Andrea Bargnani has been working out with Jermaine O’Neal and gained 12 lbs of upper-body muscle. Now I read via AltRaps that JO has lost 12 lbs of upper-body muscle to relieve his knees. Coincidence? I think not.

Fantasy update: Give Me The Mock is now skimming the dregs of the 12th and 13th rounds. I’m hoping to come out of it with the prerequisite homer pick.