Chris Bosh: A Raptor Far From Extinction

Coming into the 2009-10 season, there was no topic more heavily discussed than the looming free agency of three big-ticket players in the NBA: Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh.  Despite the known planned pursuit of formidable franchises such as the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls for the services of King James and Flash, the one deemed most likely to be relocated at the end of the 2009-10 season is Toronto’s all-star Chris Bosh.  The six-year veteran, recently named to his fifth straight all-star team, has spent his entire career in Toronto but has always made his intentions clear – to be a part of a winning franchise.  It was because of this simple fact that CB4 was deemed the most likely to move, especially since the Raptors were coming off of a 33 win season in 2008-09.  However, since starting the season 7-13 and playing a quality of defense comparable to an elementary school squad, the Toronto Raptors now find themselves 5^th in the Eastern Conference and in the midst of winning 6 of their last 7 -which includes wins against both the L.A. Lakers and Miami Heat.  It is this remarkable turnaround that can be directly credited to helping Toronto’s cause at making Chris Bosh as unmovable a piece as LBJ and DWade.

Credit-Rick Madonik-thestar.com

Let’s think about this logically. In Toronto, Chris Bosh has not only established himself as the face of the franchise, but also as the face of an entire nation.  Despite not receiving the same level of media coverage as most American clubs, the Toronto Raptors are the only NBA franchise that can offer this degree of respect and adoration to CB4.  In Toronto, Chris Bosh also stands as the first-option both on the offensive and defensive end, as proven by the 24 points and 11.4 rebounds he is putting up on a nightly basis.  If Bosh were to sign in another winning environment it is more than likely he would become a secondary option, something that would not only lower his numbers, but also his praise.  In Toronto, CB4 is also engrained in a franchise being built around him, with one of the most aggressive and intelligent GM’s in Bryan Colangelo at the helm.  Colangelo has never been afraid to make a move or bolster his line-up, and has done so effectively this year by surrounding Bosh with an assortment of shoot-first, drive-first, and pass-first teammates –who all recognize and respect the presence CB4 has on the interior.  The Toronto Raptors also represent a team in the midst of continuous improvement.  Outside of the consistency of Bosh, players such as Bargnani, Calderon, Jack, DeRozan, and Johnson all seem to be improving on a consistent basis.  One can only imagine the capabilities of this team when all of its offensive weapons are clicking on full-cylinders –another lucrative factor that may play a role in keeping Bosh in Raptor red.

Including Wednesday’s 108-99 win over the New Jersey Nets, the Toronto Raptors continue to find themselves in the midst of a winnable stretch of games leading into the all-star break and trade deadline.  One can only imagine that the further piling on of wins will only help to make a case for Toronto remaining CB4’s permanent home.