Toronto Raptors will always be Chris Bosh’s forgotten team

Chris Bosh spent half of his NBA career with the Toronto Raptors, and yet, they’re rarely mentioned when discussing his NBA legacy.

Chris Bosh will forever be remembered for his time with the Miami Heat, not the Toronto Raptors. It stinks, it’s tough to hear, but it’s true.

He had seven spectacular seasons with the franchise, and statistically, was just as good with Toronto. However, in the movie of Chris Bosh’s career, the Raptors years are nothing more than the opening credits and the first 15 minutes of the film you watch while scrolling twitter.

Bosh came into the league a productive NBA player. In his first season, he averaged 12 points and eight rebounds per game. No, he wasn’t quite LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony, but he was making an impact.

20 games into his sophomore season, Bosh became the team’s best player. Vince Carter was dealt to the New Jersey Nets, and ready or not, Bosh stepped in as the franchise’s star player.

For the next six seasons, he was the face of the franchise. During that time, the franchise let him down. The team consistently failed to build a winner around Bosh, drafting horribly in the first round while failing to make any other significant moves.

After seven years playing for a franchise with seemingly no direction, Chris Bosh took matters into his own hands. He left to join LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and the Miami Heat. Tired of never having a second option in Toronto, Bosh went to be the third option somewhere else. Bosh chose winning over role.

Bosh’s shot attempts and offensive role decreased with the Heat. With James and Wade controlling the offense, Bosh became more of a jump shooter and pick-and-pop option. When things went wrong, Bosh was the first one to be blamed.

He also won. The Heat made four straight NBA finals, winning two of them. Chris Bosh played 78 playoff games with the Miami Heat. He played just 11 with Toronto.

Winning, along with playing next to two all-time greats, made Chris Bosh a household name. The modern history of the NBA can’t be told without mentioning Bosh. That never happens if he stays in Toronto.

And that’s why when Bosh is being inducted into the Hall-of-Fame, Toronto will likely get a quick mention and little else. It’s not his fault. He did nothing wrong. But it stinks.

No one wants to see their ex with someone better after they break up. Seeing Chris Bosh move on to the Heatles was like watching your girlfriend dump you for Channing Tatum. You don’t necessarily blame them for the decision but you don’t have to be happy about it.

And in the end, it all worked out. The Raptors got their stuff together, hired Masai Ujiri, and have been one of the most consistent franchises in the NBA since.

Bosh got his rings. The Raptors got better. Everyone is happy. Still, it’s tough to be the only fanbase that truly remembers Bosh’s forgotten years, his Raptor years.