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Raptors: Top 5 power forwards in franchise history

By Avishai Sol

NEW YORK - JANUARY 28: Chris Bosh #4 of the Toronto Raptors drives to the basket between Wilson Chandler #21 and Al Harrington #1 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2010 in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - JANUARY 28: Chris Bosh #4 of the Toronto Raptors drives to the basket between Wilson Chandler #21 and Al Harrington #1 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2010 in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) /
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Chris Bosh, Raptors
ATLANTA – DECEMBER 02: Chris Bosh #4 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Raptors power forward No. 1: Chris Bosh

When Bosh chose to go to the Heat and win titles, nobody in Toronto blamed him. He had given the city seven years of stellar play, highlighted by two playoff appearances and a 2009-10 season where he put up 24 points and 11 boards per game while shooting 52%.

While recent stars have been criticized for their unceremonious departures from teams, Bosh’s exit from Toronto was about as gracious as one could have hoped for. We all understood that he had done all he could for us and that leaving the city was nothing personal, but rather the best move for his career. It was very Canadian on both sides.

He was immortalized for his Miami years.  He became one of the greatest 3rd options ever, it was he who got the offensive rebound that led to the Ray Allen shot in 2013. He got his rings and went down in history.  How could you ask him to give that up for six more mediocre years putting up stats in Toronto?

Chris Bosh is still a legend in Toronto

NBA history must remember how good Bosh was when he was “the guy”.  He was one of the first stretch bigs once the league really started understanding how useful they were. He dragged some pretty bad Raptors teams to the playoffs. He was an all-star 11 out of his 13 years in the league.

The league didn’t move in his favor. Rather, he was one of the players who helped change the league.  With his speed and energy, passing and ball-handling, and multi-level scoring ability, Bosh was the blueprint for the offensive repertoire displayed by Anthony Davis today. Bosh would have been even better if he had come into the league in 2021.

All of this to say that Bosh has one of the highest approval ratings of any star ever.  He was smart and eloquent and gracious off the floor, and a damn good basketball player on it.  He was beloved in Toronto and left like a gentleman.  Even in Miami, when they were proudly adopting the “villains of the league” moniker, Bosh was never hated like LeBron or Wade.

He couldn’t will us to success alone, but Bosh’s career is the model for any star player on a weak team. Bosh is a Hall-of-Famer for sure.

Next. Top 5 shooting guards in Raptors history. dark