| 13 September 2011
Each week the BB Blog will do an interview with one BuzzerBeater manager. These interviews will invite you into the world of some of the best and most interesting managers in the game. Up this week... The Mogul.
SpF: What are your thoughts on the B3 Championship game, when your Secret Agents just came up short?
The Mogul: I think that it was a great game. :) I was excited to keep the game close until the second half, and it was fun being in the chat and seeing so many people supporting my team. To be honest, I didn't plan on competing with VS last season, and I was thrilled to finish in second place.
SpF: What is the outlook for the Secret Agents in season 17 in the Naismith?
The Mogul: Since BC Torooo dropped out of the Naismith, my team has won 3 titles in a row. I hope to win again, but I think it is going to be more difficult this season, and a few teams are likely to give me a tough challenge. If I'm able to win either the cup or the league title, and keep a B3 spot for season 18, then I'll be happy.
SpF: Do you see another run in the B3 in season 17?
The Mogul: I still have all the players that got me to the B3 final last season, and that core remains very affordable. I was using $646k - $712k in salaries last season (for my B3 eligible players), and those salaries have actually gone down slightly. Depending on how my schedule works out, those same guys could be good enough to take me to the finals again, but it's too early to tell. There are a lot of other great teams out there, and how far I get will depend a lot on who I play, and when.
SpF: Who is your greatest BuzzerBeater rival?
The Mogul: Right now I would say that Philosopher Kings and zero territory are my two biggest domestic rivals, looking at recent Naismith history. Internationally, I consider Flumpaci to be a big rival, as I really respect that team, and we played some amazing games last season. For me, the OT thriller we had in the B3 semi-finals was the most exciting BB match that I've been a part of.
SpF: What is your biggest Buzzerbeater pet peeve?
The Mogul: Probably when a random substitution causes one of my trainees to get 47 minutes instead of 48. This almost never happens (and is usually FT line at the start of blowout conditions related), but it still annoys me when it does. :P
SpF: Who's your favorite player from your own team?
The Mogul: I love all of my core players, and most of them have been with me long enough to be in my Hall of Fame. My favourite, though, is probably Renzo Schek, because he's the one guy I trained all the way up from age 18, and he's the guy that consistently gives me an advantage over other teams.
SpF: What is the reason behind the naming of your team, Secret Agents?
The Mogul: I liked how it sounded, and I had just been reading about the first International Secret Agents concert when I signed up for buzzer beater. Go ISA!
SpF: What are your thoughts on the positives of a 2-3 zone?
The Mogul: I think it helps with rebounding. It also can also disrupt the desired shot distribution for your opponent, and this sometimes works out alright, depending on the situation.
SpF: What is your favorite part of Buzzerbeater?
The Mogul: Everything is fun, but I really like thinking about lineups, and planning out how to fit things together every week. I've always been an armchair GM (for the Blue Jays, Leafs, and Raptors), and having a BB team is a perfect fit for me.
SpF: As one of the world's best managers, do you have any advice for those gunning to the top or who aspire to be the best team in all of BuzzerBeater?
The Mogul: I think it is important to get a feel for the game engine, decide how you want to win games, and then start putting together your dream roster. Figure out which players you are going to develop yourself, and which you're going to buy (and at what stage in their development). Your long term plan should also involve winning as many games as possible in the short term, as winning is fun, but that feeling of building towards something is a really great feeling.
SpF: Favorite movie?
The Mogul: Lost in Translation
SpF: Favorite food?
The Mogul: I eat a lot of yogurt.
SpF: Favorite Pro Sports team?
The Mogul: The Raptors, but it hurts me to love that team so much, since they are a truly terrible franchise. At least they drafted Jonas Valanciunas this season! I believe in that guy, and I haven't believed in anyone they've drafted since...well...it's been awhile.
SpF: Favorite song?
The Mogul: This changes weekly, but for now, I'll give a shout out to the song "Peaches" by New Heights.
SpF: Favorite animal?
The Mogul: In theory, penguins. In my daily life, squirrels. Don't ask me why, I like seeing them run around my neighbourhood. :PI
This concludes the interview.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
