First Glance

A Rookie Reporter’s Life on the Sidelines

Zack Cooper, The Fan 590

October 13, 2005

Already I feel like I’m misleading you…

You see, I thought I’d be on the sidelines, but alas… it’s my first year on the job (let alone day), and I’ll be sitting up in the press box.

I have a love for the game of basketball: a love that many don’t understand. I lived and breathed Raptor-ball up until last night – when I became a Raptors Reporter.

My first experience with nerves can be summed up in a brief conversation I had with Coach Sam Mitchell on media day. I walked in wearing dress pants, to go with a snazzy new shirt and tie, looking and feeling good. But when I walked into the RBK Court (where they were holding the festivities), I clearly looked like the new kid. Some of the other reporters were in sweats – Costanza-style – and here I was looking like Johnny-Just-Moved. No Matter. So what if I look good?

So I walked up to Sam Mitchell…

“Coach Mitchell, I just wanted to introduce myself... My name is Zack Cooper, this will be my first year covering the Raps for the Fan. I might be a little nervous, but…”

He cuts me off: “Don’t worry, there are 82 games.” He then up and walks away.

Good Start, Zack.

Fast forward 6 days to last night’s preseason opener against the Jazz. It’s go time. I get the behind-the-curtains-tour of the ACC by a trusty co-worker from the station. He introduces me to the right people, I shake the right hands, and walk down the right (and sometimes wrong) hallways. He also shows me to my seat. Look up… way up.

"People sit there?” I ask.

“That’s where you’ll be sitting.” He says.

No matter. I’m watching Raptors games, and getting paid for it: Living the dream.

So he runs through the routine, pre-and-post game ethics: who to talk to, where to go… and we’re getting ready to move. But not before we indulge in some free food in the media room.

An endless pile of Pizza awaits, with salads and deserts just to the left (if you pay $12, you get the “meal” – which last night was a pasta bar).

The TV Screen shows we’re four minutes away from tip-off against the Jazz. Got to get to my seat.

Just in time… the balls up in the air… and there it is: I’m now officially a Raptors reporter, and I have the media pass and free pizza to prove it.

…By now you know the outcome. The Raptors lost 102-101 in Overtime.

After the game Sam Mitchell was no happy camper: "We have to find somebody who is going to rebound," a steamed Mitchell said. "That's all we've been talking about (in training camp).”

That’s the same song he’s been singing since he got here a little over a year ago. It’s nothing new, but he wouldn’t comment on anything else.

Charlie Villanueva grabbed 5 boards through the course of his 35 minutes. He looked good, though. He had a decent touch around the rim, used his body well on the defensive block, and found a way to send back 4 shots (one of which came with less than a second left in OT– and although I’m not supposed to cheer, I let out quite the yelp in support).

Joey Graham had some tendonitis in his knee flare up, so he left early… Matt Bonner was dealing with a stomach virus. The starting 5 opened up the game, before turning to cheerleaders by the end of the first.

Jose Calderon took over the point and looked solid. His stats don’t reflect his floor-leadership (9 points, 5 boards, 2 helpers), which just goes to show there’s no language barrier once the whistle blows.

He looked composed, smart, and opportunistic. He had 3 turnovers, but only one was off a bad pass (refreshing for Raptors fans). He looked good enough to make a case for starting, in my eyes.

It’s still undetermined who’s going to get that third spot in the rotation, though.

If last night’s play was any indication, Tierre Brown should get it, over Corey “Homocide” Williams (who killed himself at the free throw line (1-5), when he wasn’t trying to do too much) and Robert Pack (who showed he’s still crafty).

Brown had 24 points (12 from the charity stripe) along with 7 assists, and 2 turnovers. His jumper looked NBA-worthy (as much as that says), and his ability to drive into the lane was crucial.

After the game, I went to go speak to Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, who was a class act. He stared me right in the eyes, and answered every one of my questions with care and consideration, while my heart was pounding through my shirt – another new one.

“Coach Sloan, you’re notorious for not using rookies - granted it is preseason - but they came up big for you tonight…” I asked, referring to CJ Miles (who sent the game into OT with a late 3-pointer, and scored 5 points in the extra frame) and Robert Whaley (who sealed it with a tip-in with 0.8 seconds left).

“They played well, but they’ve got a lot to learn if they want to play in this league… I’ve never had to do so much talking in my coaching career,” Sloan said. We continued a nice conversation for the next 5 minutes.

I then went into the Jazz locker room, and spoke to Deron Williams, Miles, Milt Palacio, and Whaley. Afterwards, as instructed, I headed back to the Raptors locker room, where all the scrums were just wrapping up.

You see, I’ve been delegated to the away-team locker room, but I don’t mind one bit.

After all, I’m now a basketball reporter.