This is part of a continuing series of Q&A’s and chats with GMs in my fantasy league. In this one, I ask Zack Cooper of the FAN 590 about the radio biz, the dirt on Eric Smith and Jack Armstrong, his passion for the Toronto Raptors, and more.

You mentioned that you weren’t happy with your fantasy basketball team. How come?

I broke one of the first rules of Fantasy sports… in that, I’ve relied too much on rookies, and put way too much weight on guards, especially with the uncertainty that is the lower body of Al Jefferson.  Seeing Jamal Crawford play only 14 minutes in Atlanta’s season opener was downright frightening… Word that Anthony Randolph WILL get the start in GSW is encouraging, but I think I’ve got too many youngsters overall.  Oh, and I’m relying on the disgruntled former-Capt. Jack for a good chunk of my scoring.  See you in the cellar fellas, and lady (What up, Nat!?).

Tell me about “Got Game.” Was it hard to get a show about video games put on a sports radio station?

I’d like to say that “Got Game” is my baby… but sadly, I can only claim that I take care of it.  I’ve played video games all my life, and the opportunity to talk about both sports and gaming on the radio is an absolute blessing.  The show started up about 6 months ago, growing from Bryan Calhoun’s blog, to the epic 60 minute show that changes weekend time slots as frequently as Shaq misses free throws.  Yes, I understand that video games on a sports radio station might not be top-peg material… but we’ve got a wonderful and loyal fanbase that can thankfully follow along via podcast (available on our blog at fan590.com and on iTunes).

Gamers, hit me up on both PSN and XBL: I’m ZCooperstown (just like on twitter). Read more »

(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 »

This post is the first in a series of Q&A’s and chats with GMs in my fantasy league. In this one, I ask Eric Koreen, Toronto Raptors reporter for the National Post, about his brief experience with Sam Mitchell, his “sleeper” pick among the new Raptors, his favourite fantasy draftee, TV shows and more.

Pete Marasmitch: I enjoyed your hair-raising piece, a.k.a. Bryan Colangelo’s Personal Vendetta. How goes the faux-hawk? Are you sporting the fedora, 24-7?

Eric Koreen: The faux-hawk lives. (Although I’m writing this a few days before the season starts. I could have evened it out by the time this is published.) I have worn a hat just once, and am now pretty comfortable with it. I don’t like it, but I’ve made my peace. Amir Johnson told me he did me a favour, while Sherman Hamilton told me about three weeks after the cut that the hair was at the ideal length. (Although, perhaps I should not be putting too much stock into Sherm’s thoughts on hair.) And if I do cut my hair soon, it will be legitimate: Johnson cut his hair a week before the season started, although he did apologize to me for leaving me hanging. Read more »

Chris Bosh and I are excited. Are you? (AP via Daylife)

Anybody else as excited as I am for the 2009 NBA draft, a.k.a. Bryan Colangelo Redemption Night?

If you are just as pumped, stoked or whatever-other-adjective to see what the Raptors will do this Thursday night, comment below, and I’ll respond ASAP — like a makeshift live blog, from now till 4PM today!

And keep commenting on through Sunday and tell me your reactions to the wheelings and dealings related to our beloved Raptors.

Here are some ideas to get you going. What do you think of:

• B.C.’s fave five: DeMar DeRozan, Gerald Henderson, James Johnson, Jrue Holiday and Jonny Flynn?
• Shawn Marion signing-and-staying or signing-and-trading?
• Drafting a point guard?
• Getting a second-round pick?
• Free agents?
• Potential trade partners, like the Minnesota Timberwolves?

Looking forward to chatting with you!

Caron Butler. I still think he looks like Chuck Swirsky. (NBA.com)

What a treat! Not only do we get to see the Toronto Raptors face the Washington Wizards twice this weekend, but I also got to do a Q&A with Thomas Threlkeld of D.C. Pro Sports Report and the Dan Steinberg of D.C. Sports Bog!

(UPDATE: My answers to Thomas’ Raptors questions are now up on DCPSR.)

Here we go:

Pete: What do you see as the positive(s) of this season?

Threlkeld: There are two positive things that can be taken from this season. First, and most importantly, the Wizards will receive a very high lottery pick. There’s nothing wrong with that. Secondly, the Wizards got a chance to look at some of their young kids and found that they have a pretty decent, though still very raw, big man in Javale McGee. They found that Dominic McGuire is going to be a nice role player in this league, capable of filling the stat sheet with rebounds and assists, in addition to great defense.

Steinberg: Well, despite leading the league in games lost to injury, no one died. That was good. Also, Dominic McGuire seems like a keeper, though not a starting NBA two guard. Also, they’re going to get a top four or top five overall pick, which no team that has three recent All-Stars really deserves, though they might not even keep it.  Read more »

D'Antoni + Lee = 20/20 (Newsday / J. Conrad Williams Jr.)

This weekend features a back-to-back series between division rivals, the Toronto Raptors and the New York Knicks. They may be ”battling for the 14th spot in the East” right now, but both teams have a bright future. I ask SML, writer for Stop Mike Lupica and Sports On My Mind, and Mike Slane, beat writer for NYKnicks.com, about what’s going on in Knickerbockerland. (Check out my answers to Raptors questions at Stop Mike Lupica.) Read more »

OKC Thunder's Russell Westbrook is a guy to watch.

As we near the end of this sorry season, the Toronto Raptors get to face teams that are “down there” with them. Tonight, Toronto hosts the similarly sad Oklahoma City Thunder. Zeb of Blue Blitz comes to share some insight, some hopes and some dreams for his Thunder. 

We all know about Kevin Durant. But what about Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook – are they “studs,” bona fide starters?

Honestly, if you asked any Thunder fan who the three most valuable players on the Oklahoma City Thunder were, the automatic response out of their mouths would be, “Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, and Russell Westbrook”. If you asked them the fourth, many would stumble between guys like Nenad Krstic, Nick Collison, Thabo Sefolosha, and Desmond Mason. There’s no question who the most valuable guys on the team are. When it was suggested that we were going to trade Jeff Green for Amaré Stoudamire, many fans stood up in outrage (well, typed onto their computers in outrage) at the thought of breaking up the trifecta. Read more »

Do you remember those Raptors ticket giveaways, oh, end-of-last-yearish? I Q&A’ed the man responsible, Bohire’s VP of Business Development, Vincent Tsang. We talk about happy stuff, like Raptors and cash rewards. Here we go:

Read more »

Stink. I was all excited to start our first ever Fireside TRIPLE Chat, but it was the biggest failure to launch since … well, Failure To Launch. On the positive side, one half of the Garbage Time All-Stars dynamic duo, Josh Frankel, was able to make it. We talk comics, Kings and tourneys while waiting for Mark Haven Britt to show up. Fun was had by all. Except Mark.

The Bachelor!
Josh: Yeah. Or a Broadway musical. Nellieball, the Musical.
Pete: Something’s got to give there, right?
Josh: For a lot of the season it looked like a totally incoherent team, plus there was a lot of grumbling, Nellie abdicating defensive responsibilities to his assistants, etc.
It seems to be evening out a bit though. Some of the talent is shining through. Stephen Jackson has been amazing lately.
Pete: Who’da thunk it!

Stephen Jackson is “amazing,” all right. (via All NBA All Basketball)

Josh: Yeah, right? He’s such a cagey vet with ice water in his veins at this point.
They’re fun to watch now at least. They can put up points in a hurry. Not as many rookie/D-league mistakes. C.J. Watson has also actually been really good. He’s kind of an under-the-radar guy I’d imagine if you’re not watching all of their games.
Pete: Really? I haven’t heard much about him.
Josh: CJ has been very stable. Handling the ball fine and when he gets an open shot he makes it. Anthony Morrow is also looking like a good pick-up. And Anthony Randolph also is starting to show some of his potential.
Pete: You think the Warriors management will shake things up?
Josh: It’s a young team, so there are a lot of bonehead mistakes, but they’re at least starting to get some confidence.
Maybe management will make a move. Word is that they’re coveting Amar’e.
There seems to be a confilict in management now though … it seems like the ownership is listening to Nelson rather than Mullin.
Pete: And Chris Bosh?
Josh: Is Bosh likely to be moved this year? I didn’t think that was the case. I’ve heard that the Warriors (and a host of others) are after Amar’e NOW since it looks like things are unraveling fast in Phoenix.
Pete: Bryan Colangelo says no to moving Bosh. He’s never been publicly untruthful, so I believe him.
I wouldn’t mind Bosh going, at the right price.
Josh: Yeah?
Pete: Yeah!
Josh: I haven’t seen enough Raptors games this season to see what the problem is, but I mean, what do you want instead of Bosh?
Pete: Well, the Raptors are thin, weak at the wings, not deep at all. Looking to move JO’s big contract.
Josh: Yeah, that would certainly make sense.
Pete: I’d better ask you more GTAS questions before we run out of time.

Greg Oden, the Amazing Face. (via Sneaker Files)

They don’t look that ragey… (Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic)

Pete: I can sympathize.
Josh: Yeah, my team is one of the worst in the league. I don’t expect to read a lot of nice things about them either.
Pete: Let’s start a bad-NBA-team support group.
Josh: Yeah! “We’re not bad, we’re rebuilding!”
Pete: Good motto.
You looking forward to the all-star weekend at all? I’m kinda “meh.” [Except for the big 3D event locally, of course. Heh.]
Josh: Yeeah, I’m never that into the actual all-star game. The dunk contest has been sort of fun lately, but at this point the hype is exceeding the product.
I guess I’m saying “meh” too.
Pete: What do you think of the new addition, H-O-R-S-E?
Josh: I think it’s a cool idea but I’m skeptical that it will actually be cool to watch.
Pete: I agree. Even in the days of Maravich it was kinda dry.
Josh: I think of all of the events they’re doing I’d most like to watch the rookie/sophomore game, since I don’t get to see enough of those players on a regular basis. And it seems like they play that one with more of a sense of pride?
Pete: Me, I’m still waiting for 1-on-1 or 2-on-2. I think all basketbloggers should start some sort of petition for that.
Josh: Yeah, it would be cool. Not sure how to get it to happen though.
I think some sort of mini-tournament would be cool too.
Pete: Like what Skeets got going on BDL?
Josh: Ha, yeah!
Pete: I maintain that I gave him the idea.
Josh: Haha.

I just think that the NBA should somewhere in their schedule implement something that can get the general public engaged in the way that the NCAA tournament does.
Pete: Yeah, the NCAA tourney is the tops. I can only imagine David Stern’s reaction to re-doing the sked, though.

NCAA-like sked = whiter hair, bigger ulcer (from Thumper Newman – NBA Talk)

Josh: I don’t really watch college hoops anymore, but there’s something about that format that gets casual fans excited. Probably the betting on brackets.
Pete: Ha. And draft-pick watching.
Josh: Yeah, that too.
Pete: Well, I guess we oughta wrap up.
Josh: OK, sorry Mark couldn’t make it. I hope you can use some of this. I hope I wasn’t too boring.
Pete: Ha, no. You’re a good sport.
And informative.
Truly delightful.
I give you a ten out of ten.
Josh: Haha, please, stop!
Pete: ‘K.
Josh: Well, thanks for supporting the strip and being interested!
Pete: Hey, my pleasure! Keep up the good work!
Josh: You too. I was just getting caught up on Pete Marasmitch. Good stuff!
Pete: Thanks!

Pete: Any talk of him being traded, to beef up for the playoffs?
Brendan: Honestly, nothing more serious than any other rumor we’ve heard for the last few years. With Shawn Marion clearly on the market and a more proven commodity, I’d be surprised if we saw anybody trade for Odom. People think he’s overpaid.
Pete: But his contract is expiring…
Brendan: True.
I wrote something down about this…
See, I have a suspicion that no contract worth more than $8 million is getting dealt this year.
Last season’s big deals were about a glut of highly competitive teams trying for the push over the top and into the finals. This year’s contenders are pretty solid as they are, but everybody else would only be negotiating position for the free-agent feeding frenzy to come, and all the biggest players in that world seem pretty poised already.
Pete: Ugh. Bad news for Raps fans.
Brendan: How much is left on Jermaine O’Neal’s deal?
Pete: $23 mil in 2010.
Brendan: Ouch.
I take it back. Bryan Colangelo will try to make something happen there.
Pete: I sure hope so.
Brendan: Not sure if they’ll pick up an expiring deal to re-sign a player though. It’s not like players are busting the door down to play up north.
(No offense, my father is a canuck.)
Pete: You do have a point. Winning attracts.
Brendan: And the Raps are going the wrong way on that elevator.
How nervous are you that Chris Bosh leaves?
Pete: Not really.
Brendan: One more season, right?
Pete: Yes. The big 2010. [Technically, he's got a player option for the 2010-11 season. Thanks, Carolyn.]
Brendan: He’s got to like making franchise money there, anyway.
I’ll tell you a secret.
Pete: Okay!
Brendan: He was my pick as the bird-man in my banner.
I’ve always thought that Bosh looks like a raptor, like a bird of prey. I’ll tell anybody who listens that I think he looks birdlike.
Pete: Or ostrich-like?
Brendan: SURE! Facial features, thin limbs. He’s, like, two evolutionary steps from defunct patagia.
Pete: Hahaha.

Brendan: Not that I dislike Bosh, though I’ve always thought him an overrated fantasy player. Unless you’re playing roto, he’s a second rounder for sure (at best).
Pete: Agreed, but he does have the drive to improve, and he has improved over the years.
Brendan: Absolutely.
I kind of like him in real life.
But you said it, winning is all.
And he might be devalued a tiny bit by 2010.
Lebron + Bosh = rings. All I’m sayin’…
Pete: You believe the rumors – Bosh and LeBron (and Wade?) in New York?

Brendan: Nah, not really.
It’d be terrible for the league, too. As much as we all think talent has been diluted by expansion, the spread of wealth keeps each team profitable.
Pete: Good point. But it would be fun to see the New Big Three.
Brendan: Oh, absolutely, but they’d also be the ONLY thing anybody ever talked about, and that would get old.
As long as they ain’t Celtics, I’m cool.
(there’s no angry-face emoticon)
Pete: (Sure there is!)
x-(
Brendan: Haha. I’m internets-lazy, apparently.
Pete: Hey, I wanna talk to you about a particular player.
Brendan: Bargs, right?
Pete: No…
Brendan: Ah… hit me.
Pete: Check out the poll. See who’s the top pick for Raps SF.
Brendan: Ahhh. I thought that was interesting. Marion vs. Hedo.
Pete: Hedo won. Who-da thunk?
Brendan: That’s the big debate.
I’ve been pretty adamant that Marion needs a pass-first PG, and I think he’s the obvious choice for Colangelo’s Suns-North ideal.
Plus I’m not sure (from what little I’ve seen) that the Raptors’ problem is ball movement.
I’m a little convinced that Turkoglu’s value has been meshing with the system in Orlando, and (sorry Jermaine) O’Neal just isn’t Dwight Howard.
I’m thinking it’s more likely that Marion has a resurgence with fewer expectations (and probably less money) in the new setting than Hedo fits and pushes you guys over the top.

Hedo’s in sync with D-Ho. (from SlamDunkCentral.com)

Pete: So you think Marion’s not breaking down? Still something left in the tank?
Brendan: I think he’s DEFINITELY got some great game left, but he – more than ANYBODY on those Suns teams – thrives under pace and with a PG feeding him on the break.
Plus I think Turkoglu’s a little flukey.
Pete: I know – he’s on my fantasy team for the second year in a row.
Brendan: Oooohhh. I warned ya. One of my few correct calls this season.
Pete: And I agree, Raps need a Marion-type more than a Hedo-type.
What about your Lakers? Offseason, that is.
Brendan: I like this team. I do.
I think they might actually benefit from losing Odom, as horrible as that sounds. He’s been a warrior for us, playing hurt in the playoffs.
And I’m not nearly as hard on him as a lot of folks, but he’s just not being maximized by any stretch of the imagination.
I’m not fully convinced of our ability to score off the bench. Jordan Farmar is nobody’s Pistol Pete.
But as constructed, I think they’re a title contender for years, obviously. It just means more minutes for the starters.
I’m very content, ultimately.
(And, incidentally, the Ariza-for-Cook trade was the beginnings of Mitch Kupchak’s emergence as a good GM!)
Pete: And once Odom’s gone, do you guys have much cap space?
Brendan: Not really. Haha. He’s got a sizeable contract, but we’re pretty well over the cap. Not a big 2010 destination for anybody.
Pete: And Bynum’s contract starts?
Brendan: That seems to be the plan.
Would you go to war with Bynum/Kobe/Pau as your core?
Pete: It seems to work, no?
Brendan: Absolutely.
I was up and down on Bynum – I honestly was – but you don’t score 40 points by accident, you know?
He could be a legit offensive presence someday, and maybe rather soon.
Pete: You know, I was thinking: Hedo would work in LA.
Brendan: HE WOULD! But he’ll command around $10 mil this year, and we don’t NEED him. He’s not the best wing defender, and our intermittent/lazy D is our achilles heel.
But that’s a triangle player right there.
Pete: True. That’s what I thought. But his so-so D … another reason why he’s not good for the Raps.
Brendan: Honestly, we have an embarrassment of riches.
And Marion is forgotten as a tenacious defender. He was the ONLY actually defender on those Suns teams. He can guard 4 positions, etc. You don’t lose that in your early 30s.

The Matrix can still defend like old times. (from Basketbawful)

Pete: That’s why I want him!
Brendan: As well you should!
Pete: Just scared by his health.
Brendan: Yeeeah. But again, your options are slightly limited.
And he’s nowhere near the risk you took in acquiring JO.
I think it’s a fit, but a trade would have happened by now if it’s gonna.
I’m thinking the FA price of Marion is around $13 mil. Somebody’ll give him that, maybe a little less. And that’s a paycut.
Pete: Would Matrix be too proud? Go to Europe?
Brendan: Probably not. He’s got the NBA bonafides, and somebody will pay him, probably the Raps if they can make the cap work.
I like your GM. I do.
Pete: Me too!
Brendan: Hang in there, Toronto.
(Maybe the best Raps blog name: Mediocre Forever.)
Pete: I thought the best was Pete Marasmitch.
Brendan: OMG! I am SO SORRY Master Pete! Look what I’ve gone and said.
Seriously though, “Smitch’s Smash” is great. If only you had the Smitch…
Pete: He’s now hanging out at the Atlanta Hawks games.
Brendan: Is he?
Pete: Apparently.
Brendan: Is Mike Woodson on the outs?
Pete: Smitch – whatta vulture.
Seriously, I dunno.
Brendan: I can’t see them firing Woodson after sticking by him and them becoming a playoff team. I wouldn’t mind him in Memphis though…
Pete: Hey, one more thing before we leave the fire.
Brendan: Sure.
Pete: How goes the Chinese Magic Johnson?
My countryman?
The Monkey King?
Brendan: He prefers “The Monkey King”!
Pete: Snap!
Brendan: Sun Yue’s a fan favorite. A Chinese victory cigar.
I don’t see anybody that deep on the depth chart in LA making a name there. But from what I’ve seen, he wears warmups VERY well.
Pete: Haha. But he hasn’t been cut (yet), so that’s positive for him.
Brendan: Sure. I guess he’s got some talent.
And remember, Sasha Vujacic was a practice player for a few years, so maybe that contract is coming after all.
Pete: The Machine, The Monkey King, and Kobe. LA has it all.
Brendan: Best buddy-cop movie ever?
“The Machine, The Monkey King, and Kobe”
I’d shell out nine bucks, ’cause I sure can’t afford Lakers tix.

Looks more like a crime drama to me. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)

Pete: Kobe has to feed his family.
Brendan: Hehe.
Rick Fox is crying to himself somewhere becaus he thinks we could be serious, and that Kobe could get cast in something.
Pete: I could see that. MJ got to work with Toons, why not Kobe?
Brendan: In this economy, why not? Mother of all career reinventions…
Eagle, CO to a new Looney Toons flick.
I honestly shudder at the possibility.
For all the world, really.
Pete: On that note…
Brendan: On that thoroughly depressing note…
Pete: Thanks for sitting down by the fire with me.
Brendan: Hey, it was honestly my pleasure. I love Pete Marasmitch!
(Was that the line we agreed to?)
Just kidding!
Thanks a ton. I’d love to do it again.
Pete: Great!
By the way, what does the “K” stand for?
Brendan: “Kelly.” My lineage is apparently of Irish cop characters from old Hollywood movies. I am “Brendan Kelly O’Grady.”
Try not to do a borderline-offensive accent on it.
Pete: I can’t help it now!
Brendan: Ha! Nobody can.
Thanks, Jeff.