Is it time for the Toronto Raptors to trade Chris Bosh?August 07 09  Nobody can say Bryan Colangelo doesn’t keep his word. Following a disappointing 2008-09 season, Toronto’s GM and president promised changes. The two-time Executive of the Year wanted to inject toughness, depth, and athleticism into a line-up that was often bullied and outworked. Kris Humphries, Nathan Jawai, Jason Kapono, Shawn Marion, and Anthony Parker were traded or not retained, while Marco Belinelli, Demar DeRozan, Reggie Evans, Jarret Jack, Hedo Turkoglu, and Antoine Wright were acquired. These changes will produce the desired effect; the Raptors are much improved. One key question remains unanswered: what about Chris Bosh? Of course, the All-Star holds an option on his contract and can become an unrestricted free agent next summer. And Bosh has publicly stated he will exercise this clause and test the open market. This leaves Toronto exposed. They could lose their top player for nothing. Worst of all, Bosh would be the latest American star to leave the Canadian club at the alter. Colangelo and the Raptors better realize now is the time to trade their four-man. The new faces won’t miss a teammate they never had. Without Bosh, Turkoglu becomes the first option and a fresh chemistry can develop. Jack, who signed with Toronto partly because of his friendship with Bosh, could get upset about a move, but he has 20 million reasons to get over it. A familiar face will play the greatest role in any trade. Andrea Bargnani, like Bosh, is a natural power forward. Minutes weren’t an issue when the Italian was struggling, but last year he found his groove filling in for and then replacing Jermaine O’Neal at centre. Bargnani’s growth wasn’t unnoticed by the organization, who over the summer rewarded him with a five-year, $50 million extension. Remember, Colangelo picked the sharp-shooting big first overall, so he’ll give the poster boy for his Euro experiment every opportunity to succeed. The extension chatter will become a distraction. Contrary to what some think, Toronto is a basketball mad market with an intense media. Fans and journalists will rightfully carve, question, and interrogate Bosh about his future. Colangelo should consider cutting a deal before it becomes a full blown circus and compromises the year. Credit the Raptors for making changes. But in Bosh, their greatest and most significant challenge remains unsolved. Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below. Follow Oly Sandor ’s work on HoopsVibe The Blog and Twitter. Photo courtesy of nero88.
Posted by
candy
on 08.12.2009 | ()Playing basketball is an enthusiastic sport.I like playing basketball, All Americans beleive that Playing Basketball is the art, and me too. But I also and always consider equipment for playing basketball is very important,so collect baskeball shoes and clothes are what I am interested.Recently,I find a website for NBA star shoes are good, such as Allen Iverson,Kevin Garnett,Kobe Bryant,Lebron James and so on and so on. Here share with the basketball enthusiastic player. . . | Posted by
Snika
on 08.11.2009 | I like the idea of adding Steve Nash, since he is from Canada, but he just signed an extension with Phoenix. Maybe I am fully misled, but unless someone is wanting to take the opportunity to be the STAR of a team (by himself) I just don’t think Toronto has the lure that most US cities have for a free agent. . | Posted by
melo boy
on 08.10.2009 | its not really about bosh, its that the raptors need sumone expieranced to run the point. steve nash or chauncey. sumone like them . | Posted by
730N
on 08.9.2009 | Bosh will be on a new team 2010 definitely. but TOR will be spending more money for a much better player. a dominant post-up player that will complement the outside shooter. they can add Amare, or Brand if ever he don’t fit w/ sixers. . | Posted by
on 08.9.2009 | Lol@ Snika. You say the US can love the bulls and lakers... but not the raptors? Newsflash buddy... everybody in Canada can like the raptors... but nobody here likes the Lakers or bulls. We’re not flip floppers like the average american fan. We’re not gonna be sitting over on the east coast in ny and rooting for the Lakers like MSG did for Kobe saying he was MVP. Never that. . | Posted by
Snika
on 08.9.2009 | All I’m saying is that it has been a while since the BIG US market teams had money to bid on big name players. Next summer will be that time, and after semi-succeeding and not succeeding in Toronto I think that Bosh will leave. Though Toronto has a lot of people, basketball is not the same market in Canada and never will be. They might even have passionate fans... but everyone in the US can love the Lakers, everyone can love the Bulls... not that many love Toronto. I don’t mean to hurt anyone’s feelings. I am just trying to explain why Bosh will leave next summer. . | Posted by
Northern Touch
on 08.9.2009 | I just want to address the idea of Toronto not being a major market. It is the seventh largest city in the NBA. The Raptors are owned by a sports empire, MLSE, that is worth 1.75 billion dollars. Toronto is also Canada’s team meaning hey actually get more coverage than any other team in the league. Do a paper count. How many news prints are there in NY and how many are across Canada? The Raptors are also given large coverage by three national sports network, not to mention RaptorsTV. The fact that the NFL is playing regular season games there and has made it next in line to receive a team is a symbol of its sporting relevance. Finally, when was that last time that a superstar actually signed with Chi, NY, or Houston? Ben Wallace and Allan Houston weren’t exactly game changers were they. . | Posted by
on 08.8.2009 | im sure you know that toronto has acquired the services of hedo turkoglu and retained andrea bargani. You are dumb if you do not know what is it for. Im sure they wont be letting go of Bosh. These moves are proof. They are better this season than last season. Yep, it aint the time to trade him. All this sort of rebuilding just to trade him? Ridiculous . | Posted by
gm 4 hire
on 08.8.2009 | Toronto has improved on paper. They we will know by December- January if they have team chemistry! Bosh was upset just like any other star player on any other losing team! Good player want to win. Of course there is a finacial side of the business but the Raptors have done everything they could of this year to keep bosh, Why would they trade him now? They might as well try there best to win as much as they can and try to hold on to there franchise player! The pieces are coming together for the Raptors the have a good point guard they drafted a shooting guard,Signed Scorer, traded for a great rebounder and teamate in Evans and they also brout in a sixth man in Jack who can play both guard positions and was a teamate of Bosh in college... Why would they give him up now? I dont think theyy will! . | Posted by
Gman
on 08.8.2009 | Where exactly did Bosh say he was definitely going to become a free agent next year? Everything that I’ve read, has said that what he does has a lot to do with what this team does this year. Look there have been some crappy American games of broken telephone from one article to another that have said things. But trace it back to the source or your just another idiot blogger looking for air time. . | Posted by
on 08.8.2009 | Wow, snika is the epitome of an idiot. Vince Carter got LESS exposure in jersey than he did in Canada. End of. Winning gets you exposure... Not what city you play in (except the lakers and knicks). . | Posted by
Snika
on 08.8.2009 | Commenting on two posts... the idea that Bosh will be a Raptor forever... no way. 98% of players play for more than one team. The only 2 I can think of are Reggie Miller and Duncan that stayed on 1 team their whole career. Secondly, the idea that Bosh has more exposure in Canada is ridiculous. Vince had a lot of exposure when he played in Toronto, because he is the best dunker EVER, AND his exposure was in the states because of it. Toronto was on prime time television maybe 4 times last year. In NY, LA, Texas, Chicago change that to 15-20 times plus playoffs. And I agree with the idea that he is going to have another superstar on the team for him to ever get out of the 1st round of the playoffs, and he isn’t going to convince anybody great to come to Canada. . | Posted by
the guy
on 08.8.2009 | chris bosh needs to become the player he has been known to be because he is not that guy because d.wade or james or kobe can do so much on their own but bosh needs alot of help , if he is asking for to much give up bosh and andrea and get a real threat . | Posted by
Bendit
on 08.8.2009 | To those on the board who think Bosh can get more "exposure" in the "big" schmancy cities often mentioned....I ask "what exposure?" and what do you mean by that term? What is it that is tangible that Bosh would get going somewhere else (even a championship is not guaranteed)? Did Vince Carter get any xtra "exposure" going to the NY area? Does Tim Duncan require more exposure hanging around a backwater like San Antonio? Y’all must be frustrated Knicks fans who cant even make it MSG because you are priced out by the Spike Lees paying 2500 a seat. . | Posted by
RealSplitters
on 08.7.2009 | but in his defense to last season, we have got to be lenient. he had anthony parker, jamario moon and for the most part will solomon start for him... that is OBVIOUSLY not gonna get it done. when marion started with the crew they won 9 of their last 12. its pretty obvious that the raptors had no talent aside from bosh/barg/calderon(who was injured mostly) last season... last season the laker bench beat the raptor starters. . | Posted by
RealSplitters
on 08.7.2009 | ok guys this is what is going to happen next year. bosh is going to avg 25.5-10 and will trick a team into giving him a MAX deal. that team will NOT be toronto because bosh will in fact leave the city. he will either go contend with wade or go to another team with a superstar so he can be the next in line guy. it is very evident that bosh cannot be the lone focal point of a franchise because as we all saw last year he pretty much "crumbled" to the pressure. when things went good, he avg 27-10. when things went bad he avg 22-10 which pretty much shows why he avg about 23-10 this year. bosh is not a player that steps up to pressure. all good defensive teams stop him. all good offensive teams exploit his defense. shaq makes the raptors look oblivious with a 45 POINT PERFORMANCE... and we wondered why kobe scored 81 on this crew... you are only as tough as your weakest player and since bosh is a weak player it rounded out for a pretty weak team that had no push or urgency. so i see lebron teaming up with wade or maybe and i mean maybe lebron james for a chance to ride coat tails to the hall. because as it stands now, he is not a focal point of any team that will contend for a championship. . | Posted by
J. Nguyen
on 08.7.2009 | Chris Bosh is not a franchise player. If he wants max money, let him go. He can’t lead the team to the playoffs as evidenced last season. . | Posted by
R
on 08.7.2009 | It’s all depending on this year’s performance. Please enjoy ’09-’10 season before Bosh make his financial move. I hope to see the Raptors pa-------first and second round of playoff this year. Team work and trust is crucial for the Raptors ’09-’10 season. Colangelo will be the executive of the year . | Posted by
Jimjim
on 08.7.2009 | I was going to start ripping you for this article but then noticed the comments. Raptor fans are out to get idiots like you. This franchise is built aorund CB4, he loves toronto, we love him, and he will remain a raptor forever. We can offer him more money and years, and with the changing salary cap structure and cba agreement coming up, all these changes to the nba will make it more and more likely that CB4 will remain a raptor beyond 2010. . | Posted by
rob
on 08.7.2009 | wow... u are all idiots.... first of all, i dont think bosh is worth a maximum contract, but i do like him playing for out team. if it does come down to a maximum contract or nothing, id take the maximum.. every team needs one star player, and if its the 24 yearold bosh who still has many years until his prime, then id be very okay with it.. we just need some depth surrounding him. second of all, bargnani is terrible at PF... what makes him such valuable player, is the fact that he gives the toughest match ups for players like shaq, and dwight, and make the smaller pfs guard him on the perimeter, where our 7’1’’ bargnani can shoot above them. I think trading bosh will only work next year with a sign and trade, because i dont fully trust hedo and bargs with the offense this year, bargs i still dont know will be consistent (im hoping) and hedo is a streaky shooter.. bosh is at least solid and thats what every team needs. Next year tho, we will see if bargs can make a jump in his offense and maybe go 20 ppg, and hopefully 7-8 rpg. the moment we can trust bargs with a solid night every night, is the moment letting chris bosh go makes sence. We must trade him for a stoudamire plus extra depth player. If we want the roughness we need in our starters, getting amar’e will be an awesome fit, plus bargs solid offence, hedos clutch, calderones finess, and hopefullly derozans althelitiscm... plus the depth of the bench... . |
No profanity or inaproppriate remarks. All i.p. addresses will be saved and abuse/hate posts will be reported to providers and authorities as part of the anti-spam act of 2003, thank you for posting comments on the articles only. | | | |
|  | About
Oly Sandor | Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More |
|
