Bosh's Star Will Always Shine Brightest In Toronto
By RaptorTalkBecause he would be leaving $30 million on the table, I don’t really expect Chris Bosh to walk away from the Toronto Raptors as a free agent in 2010.
Admittedly, there is a slim possibility Bosh could leave if the Raptors collapse (again) and struggle through a miserable 20 win season. Even then, my bet in that scenario is that Bryan Colangelo would move Bosh at the trade deadline and not let him walk with nothing in return.
There have been some rumblings that Chris Bosh feels like he would enjoy a higher profile in another market. Our sources reported to us months ago that Bosh has told those around him that being in Toronto has been somewhat detrimental insofar that he feels the lights of many other NBA stars shine brighter than his.
In today’s Toronto Sun, columnist Steve Simmons addressed that exact issue when he wrote:
“ What Chris Bosh doesn't seem to understand: He won't be a celebrity anywhere else he goes in the NBA. Especially if he goes to a team with LeBron James or Dwayne Wade. He'll just be the other guy.
There won't be companies wanting him to do DVDs or CDs or whatever the latest technology is. Here, he matters. Somewhere else, not so much.”
I couldn't agree more.
Brian James was 100% correct
Almost ten years ago, I was riding in a limo with then Raptors assistant coach, Brian James (one of the NBA’s real good guys). He told me that in his NBA career he had never come across a fan base like the one the Raptors enjoy. “What do you mean?”, I asked.
Brian responded by saying that he knew of no other fans who fall in love with their players like Raptors fans do. He went on to say that Chicago fans revered Michael Jordan in a manner which was beyond comparison – but James felt that the love that (then Toronto Raptors) Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady received surpassed by light years anything he had seen in the NBA except for Air Jordan.
Brian went on to say, “if Vince or T-Mac were to ever leave Toronto, they would never be as popular or enjoy the complete fan adoration that they receive in Toronto.” Reflecting back on that statement, Brian was spot on!
And that brings us to Steve Simmons’ point. Should Bosh leave the Raptors, he will discover that wherever he lands, he will not enjoy the celebrity status he gets north of the border.
We've watched this story play out before
Maybe that’s why when Vince, T-Mac and Damon Stoudamire announced a desire to leave the Big Smoke they were immediately branded as public enemy #1, #1A and #1AA. Toronto fans are like jilted lovers who turn very quickly after they've been spurned.
Vince, Tracy and Damon were absolutely and completely worshipped by the Raptor faithful when they were here. Yet when they left, the fans in their new cities did not shower them with the adoration they received in Canada. Not even close.
Are you paying attention Chris?
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