Seriously, name ONE player you would take from the Cavs besides LeBron?  Ok, I know Bosh and LeBron are on different levels but what I am getting at is, you don’t necessarily need the best players on your team to win, you need a good leader and good team chemistry and we have neither.  The Cavs has bought into the team philosophy of defence and they all truly believe, like the rest of the world, that LeBron is the greatest player in the league right now (Sorry Kobe).  The only thing it seems like the Raptors have bought into is a philosophy that we can’t close out games and no matter what happens, its always your fault, not Chris Bosh’s. I have been at almost all the Raps home games and I have seen things progressively getting worse and worse as far as team chemistry goes.  It all started when Sam Mitchell got fired, Bosh was noticeably sulking and that’s fine with me for a few games but you are a professional get over it. Then during halftime warm ups, as soon as his teammates came to join him he would sit on the bench and….sulk.  Then I saw something funny while I was at the Phoenix game, Chris was flying down on a 2 on 1 with Joey Graham and he fired a very high and hard no look pass that Joey couldn’t handle.  Chris then began to yell at Graham, usually Graham would apologize but this time he just walked away from Bosh and when he continued to yell, Joey turned around an just waved Bosh off, as if to say “Shut up, it was your fault anyway”.  To me that shows a sign that not only has he lost faith in the team but the team has had enough of his antics and lost faith in Bosh.

What are the Raptors options now?  With a losing record, an unhappy franchise player and no cap space, not many.  Now that Bosh has gone public and let the rest of the league know he is no longer happy in Toronto, his value INSTANTLY dropped.  That is an all too familiar situation for us Raptors fans, welcome Vince Carter 2.0!  The only benefit Raps fans have this time around is a better GM, well supposedly.  Will we trade Bosh?  I am not sure? I could even see this story being denied by Bosh in the next 48 hours and that could also be Colalgelo’s plan, so we don’t end up with Alonzo Mourning in return.  If we do trade Bosh right now I don’t even think it’s possible to get fair value for him because of his contract and where he is in his career because obviously if you trade Bosh you are instantly in rebuild mode and you’re not going to get 2 or 3 young studs for well..1 young stud???  Its a very weird situation and one that will be very interesting to see if it plays out as a saga or more like a short one page story.

For me, if Bosh really said this stuff (after all it was Stephen A. Smith who reported it) I think it should show the organization what type of player they are building around.  Sure losing is no fun but man up and wait till the offseason to let the team know your intentions for the coming year.  You certainly don’t go calling up ESPN after a 20+ point blow out and tell the team that way. Because you just look like a sore loser that can’t handle the pressure of being the leader of a losing team.  If you need some inspiration, look at Paul Pierce.  That guy went through the wringer EVERY YEAR he was in Boston and from what I remember, he never publicly demanded a trade (to clarify Bosh didn’t directly but this has to be seen as a back hand way out) and now look at him.  I know the chances of us landing something similar to KG and Ray Allen are very slim, I just think there would have been a better way out than this.

Can we turn this around?  For sure!  We are only 4 games out of the final playoff spot and the Raps last 2 months of games is about as easy as it gets in the NBA.  We do probably need to make a trade though, just not CB4.  I am not even sure O’Neal should be traded but something has to go down and the deadline is only a few weeks away so don’t be surprised if that is sooner than later.  In the mean time, Bosh you’re a good player but you have your faults too, so stop blaming your teammates, start taking the ball to the rack and most of all, keep your future plans to yourself and out Stephen A. Smith’s ear.  There is one thing for sure, its onlt going to get a lot harder for Bosh here on out because he’s definitely going to hear it from fans that are upset about what he has said…

Peace!

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WEST

Centres – Pau Gasol (Lakers) Shaquille O’Neal (Suns) – No problems here – Gasol is the C/PF on the best team in the west and come on, he may not be in his prime but does anybody bring more laughs to the All Star festivities then the Big Aristotle.

Forwards – David West (Hornets) and Dirk Nowitzki (Mavericks) – Hmmm it gets a little sketchy here for me.  I know last year David West has everyone saying  ”Who the F… is this guy killing my team” and I know he is still putting up decent numbers but what about Al Jefferson?  Sure he plays in ‘Sota and more people watch Slamball then WOLVES games but this guy is a MONSTER!  This season he has had TWENTY, 12+ rebound games and 34, 20+ point games.  I know the Mavs aren’t having the best season but Diggler is the man still.  The big German still gets his buckets and lets be honest if he wasn’t in Dallas they would be MUCH worse

Guards – Tony Paker (Spurs), Chauncey Billups (Nuggets) and Brandon Roy (Trailblazers) – Let’s be honest, these guys are GOOD!  Brandon Roy was the rookie of the year 2 years ago and he is only getting better and if he keeps pulling his tricks he might take the title of “Mr. Clutch” from his back court mate in this game Chauncey Billups.  Billups isn’t too shabby himself,  playoffs MVP anyone?  This guys literally has ice water in his veins.  Nobody in my mind right now (besides maybe Roy) is more clutch then this guy(Sorry Robert Horry but you have to play to keep your title). Last but not least Mr. Eva Longoria, this guy has game on and off the court.  He may not be the best passing PG in the league but he may be one of the fastest and best finishers around the hoop for a PG.  The only guy I can think of that is missing but I wouldn’t necessarily swap for these guys is Steve Nash.  His flashy passes are always a fan favourite and plus he’s Canadian so you know he’s my boy.

East

Centre - Chris Bosh (Raptors) - You all know that the Raps are my team but I really don’t see how the Bosh is a centre?  And to tell you the truth, I am not even sure he is the centre for the East squad but by looking at the names of the other reserves, I can’t imagine anyone else falling under “centre” on this squad.  Bosh is a good player and I like him (see: don’t really or just read my Open Letter To Chris Bosh) Zydrunas Ilgaukas is hurt so he couldn’t play so I am fine with him here.

Forwards – Danny Granger (Pacers) and Rashard Lewis (Magic) – This one I am split on – Danny Granger is a straight up player and trust me, no one knows this more than a die hard Raptors fan.  I like Joey Graham but how sick would our squad be with Granger in the starting line up?  Sorry BC but you effed that one up.  Now onto Rashard Lewis, he is on one of the best teams in the East (Magic) as shown by their 3 players on All Star team but is Lewis the second best forward left in the East?  I know this is blasphemy coming from a man in my position (Torontonian) but what about Vince Carter? I know the Nets are not even in the playoff picture but this guy was MADE for the ASG.  Hes got the showtime hops, the creativity and come on…the 2001 slam dunk contest, NUFF SAID!!!  I would even make a case for Antawn Jamison if only for the fact that he is playing in Washington and I feel so bad for him.

Guards – Paul Pierce (Celtics), Devin Harris (Nets), Jameer Nelson (Magic) and Joe Johnson (Hawks) – 2 outta 4 ain’t bad -  The first two guys deserve this for sure.  Paul Pierce, the self proclaimed best player on the planet has too stacked a resume to even bicker about if he deserves this.   Devin Harris was my choice for most improved player of the year and so far he is making me look like a genius.  He is the co-leader of the Nets along with VC and he is FAST.  I have seen him play in Toronto many times and I have NEVER seen a player faster than him while staying in control.  Now onto Joe Johnson and Jameer Nelson.  First I’ll talk about J.J, I know I know 21, 4 and 6 is hard to argue with and I was actually VERY surprised that those were his numbers because I haven’t heard anything from him since Bibby hit town.  Is he a good player?  OF COURSE!  I just think there are some guys that may not have his numbers that are doing more for their team.  Like Rajon Rondo, he may not be rocking a near trip dip every game but he really does make that team run.  When he slashes he gets Ray Ray open for the 3, Garnett open for the easy dunk or Pierce open for any shot he takes.  I just really think its easier to get your numbers on a so-so team (Atlanta) then it is to on the World Champion Celtics and Rondo actually rocked one of the sickest triple doubles of the season with 16, 17 and 13.  Now Jameer Nelson really makes me scratch my head.  How are you a point guard on a team with Dwight Howard and only averaging 5 assists?  If you trained a seal to dribble a basketball he could get at LEAST 10 assists by just tossing the ball in the vicinity of that orange cylinder.  I really think Mo Williams deserved this spot, he has truly transformed the Cavs this year.  I know they have that other player, whats his name? But he seems to be the glue on this team and to be honest.  I know he has basically the same numbers as Jameer but I just think as far as an All Star game goes, Mo Williams fits the style bit better. 

It probably comes across as splitting hairs to all of  you but…well….it really is.  Who do you think was left off the list?  Leave your team choices in the comment section or just let me know what you think of my choices?

Peace!

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First off, HOW DARE YOU!!! Last year I let you get away with it because we were winning and I admit, the fans in the ACC could have definitely been louder on occasion but not this year!  This season was supposed to be different. You got your help down low so you don’t bitch about being tired.  For crying out loud they turned their #1 pick from one of the best SFs in the league (Andrea) into a centre, just so you would have help.  And still you have the audacity to call out the fans for booing when you were only down 3?  Did you fall asleep for the first 3 quarters of that game?  You WERE up by 17, we weren’t booing you because you were down 3 it was because you were blowing your 4th double digit lead of the season, AT HOME!!!

You wanted to be MVP this season?  Too bad they don’t cast their ballots after 7 games, you woulda been a shoo in.  You started out this season with so much promise.  You had your big man next to you taking some weight off your shoulders in the post. You finally had a point guard that wanted to give you the ball rather then chuck shots.  Everything was perfect, then came the New Jersey game.  I am not so blind with rage right now that I am going to blame you for that loss but I am wholeheartedly going to blame you for what happened after it.  Like I said before, you wanted to be MVP?  Well an MVP takes a heart breaking loss and makes its something to build off. What did you do?  You sulked for a WHOLE game AT HOME for all to watch.  Don’t think you can get away with your subtleties with me! I am watching you and I have been since I lostsight of you during our playoff series with the Nets.  Then again, it wasn’t my fault, you weren’t there until about game 5 when it was pretty much in the bag.  And at that Sunday game against the Celtics, you were up to some things I was used to watching a certain #15 pull.  During time outs you weren’t with the team, one time you were even so BALLSY that during a pivotal stretch you decided it was better to practice “scoop shots” on the net rather then listen to you coach.  No wonder Sam Mitchell got fired, his “franchise player” wasn’t listening to him.  Oh it doesn’t stop there, at half time you came out early to practice that effing high elbow shot you just love SO MUCH, then as soon as a teammate stepped on that court what did you do?  Y0u walk over to the bench and sulk AGAIN.  Oh boo hoo…Toronto’s ex-hero came back into town and beat you in dramatic fashion. Christ, if you would have only got this upset during the playoffs in ’06-’07 we might have WON more than 2 games. 

You can be mad at whoever blew that defensive assignment on that back screen and let Vince win that game but then you wouldn’t want to open the flood gates for fingering point, so I will.  Let’s take your latest feat of leadership and basketball prowess that played out tonight.  Down 24 to INDIANA, Toronto mustered an unreal comeback on the road, breaking the lead down to 1.  Indiana had probably made 3 of their last 12 shots and like always you get caught out of position on D and Mike Dunleavy JR. is wide open.  So what trick do you pull out of your MVP bag?  Foul him on a desperation 3 that he probably had 30% of going in and probably a 10% chance if you just ran out extending your arms.  Naw…Lets give a career 80% FT shooter 3 shots in a close game with less than a minute to go. MVP, MVP!!!  Sure sure, that’s ONE game right?  WRONG!  I’ll even let the Chicago “game” winner the other night slide because Noah played  good defence (not that there wasn’t 4 other guys on your team on the court) but why don’t we skip to Boston game in the 4th quarter on the 12th of January. The Raptors stage yet another comeback in the 4th, IN BOSTON. It’s gotta be Chris Bosh time right?  WRONG AGAIN!  I can’t even count the number of times you fumbled the ball, made a bad pass or just seem disinterested in having the ball at all.  So who do we rely on to take this game into OT? None other than everyone else’s favourite scape goat, Andrea Bargnani.  This guy was a number one pick ,chosen by someone else. That pressure on him isn’t self-induced it was just part of the territory but everyone let’s you slide because “Bosh had no help, what was he supposed to do? Garnettwas guarding him”  Sorry that doesn’t pass with me. 

You know how much money I could have made off you this season if I would bet $100 for the last minute of every game or even how you would play against a certain team? L.A: I told my boys “Bosh won’t show up, it’s the big stage” $100.  Chicago game – To the guy in the seats behind me: “So what’s the last play?” Buddy: “I don’t even wanna guess” Goat: “I call Bosh low post, blown lay up”.  Well I would have had $100 if you could made it past Noah to attempt a lay up.  Portland to my bro on Blackberry Messenger:  “Steve Blake 3″ (it happened) “I call last play to Bosh, blown jumper” $100 because there is no way you can call whatever that was a layup, you were 9 feet from the backboard.  If you guys are this predictable to me?  How about someone who JUST watches game tape EVERYDAY for a living?

I know what everyone is thinking.  “Goat, take it easy on this guy he’s a professional athlete.  He can’t win all the games.” You know what, you’re right.  I shouldn’t expect him to come out and win every game by himself but the SECOND he tells me the ACC has to be louder because they need us for support, he puts the onus on himself now.  If we cheer and yell and scream until our throats are raw,  that Mofo better start winning some close games in the final seconds.  The next time, when he tells me “Its hard to take when you’re down 3 and you get booed”.  First off, you told us to be vocal so we were.  Secondly, don’t try and put ANY blame on people like me, who save all their cash for tickets, to see a ”star” player  who can’t admit he needs to man up rather than blame the fans for blowing a 14 point lead. All because we booed, GROW UP! 

Is Chris Bosh an All Star? Maybe? Is he a top 10 talent? Nope.  If I was starting a franchise would I choose him? Nope.  Why? Plain and simple, this guy is NOT a leader.  You ask any Raptors fan that isn’t blind and they will say the same thing because we have all seen it so many times.  In games when you’re all digging deep and need a leader 9 times out of 10 we lose.  Don’tbelieve me?  Look it up, its FACT.  Sure, like I said before he can’t win every game but how about even 50% shit even 40% I would be happy with but no we don’t even get THAT.  Seriously in your head think back to the last close game we won?  Orlando at home on the 4th of Jan? Don’t forget we were also up 12 at one point AT HOME but regardless that is one game ALL season and trust me there has been more then 2 close games all season. 

Do I hate Chris Bosh?  No not even close.  I think he is a good player and he could be a great player but he has a lot more work to do then a lot of people give him credit for.  The first thing I would LOVE for Chris to do is STOP TAKING SO MANY JUMPERS.  Chris, we KNOW you can shoot big man! Very good but come on, you’re fast, your agile and your angry, take it to the RACK.  The other night I saw you blow by Kevin Garnett and hammer it home and sure that may seem like a great play but that tells me something.  Youjust blew by one of the best defenders at your position with ease, that means you could do that to almost anyone. But you would rather step back and take shots full well knowing, we are one of the weakest rebounding teams in the league.  Now I don’t know if that is coaching but I can’t think for a minute your coaches would be that dumb.  We have Andrea, AP and Kapono to stretch the defence we certainly dont need you out there.  The second thing I would tell Chris to do is MAN UP.  I would WAY rather you tell me to “F*** off” then say “its hard when you’re getting booed”.  COME ON, I know you apologized for that statement but that was from the heart and sure it must be hard when you lose at home and you’re getting booed but that’s your life and your job, you chose it.  You don’t wanna get booed, WIN or at least don’t continuously blow double digit leads at home.  Its that too much to ask for?

Now I know all the blame shouldn’tbe on you and I am probably writing this in haste but I had to get this off my chest.  You successfully ruined another Friday night for me.  I know it’s sad that a basketball game dictated my night but that’s the truth of the matter and if things keep going the way they’re going, you’re going to ruin my whole year.  Then I am going to move to Oklahoma City. Where their star player at least plays his heart out everynight  and he’s not waiting for 2010 so he can cash a fat cheque and let another superstar do all the work *cough Lebron in New York*

Chris, I like you, I really do!  But please stop calling me and the Raptor fans out, start playing some heartfelt basketball for a FULL 4 QUARTERS and let’s just make it to the effing second round of the playoffs.  Then I’ll get off your ass and you can go play video games with LBJ in NYC in 2010.  Deal?

Peace!

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