Not too many years ago, Vince Carter forced his way out of Toronto. And by “forced” I mean he quit on the Raptors in such a complete (and dispicable) fashion that they had no choice but to trade him…after which he immediately started trying again and helped propel the New Jersey Nets to the playoffs. I mean, how do you explain a healthy player going from 15/3/3 to 27/6/5 while increasing his three-point shooting accuracy a full 10 percent? Vinsanity didn’t just stick a knife in Canada’s back…he twisted it and poured in some lemon juice for good measure.
More than a few Canadians are still bitter about that betrayal.
Is that kind of ugliness happening all over again with Chris Bosh? Last week, Bosh asked his Twitter followers: “Should I stay or should I go?” Then, according to the Toronto Sun, Bosh attended the Lakers-Jazz game on Monday and changed his Twitter account location from “Toronto” to “Everywhere.”
What’s more, he’s no longer a Raptors team captain.
I’m not suggesting Bosh has made any kind of definitive decision about his future, but it sure feels like a passive-aggressive Facebook breakup, doesn’t it? And Bosh’s recent behavior sure hasn’t endeared him to a once-loving fan base.
According to Chris Young of the Toronto Star: “For Raptors fans and officials, who have watched the likes of earlier stars Damon Stoudamire, Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter leave town, it’s déjà vu. The only change is the technology, and perhaps that checkered history to soften the blow. There will be moony-eyed Toronto fans, for sure, but given the general level of cynicism surrounding a club that has missed the playoffs the last two years with Bosh at the wheel, it’s a safe bet there’s not a lot of wet eyes in the average Raptor fan’s house. Or as one Twitter follower of Bosh put it: ‘Why is Chris Bosh slowly breaking up with us via Twitter? Get your s— and leave, Chris. I think we’re all done here.'”
Fortunately for Bosh, NBA fans in general have a pretty short memory. Just ask Lakers fans, who quickly forgave (and, apparently, have completely forgotten about) Kobe Bryant’s trade demand and subsequent childish behavior in the summer of 2007. If Bosh re-signs with the Raptors and continues to play both hard and well, the people will forgive and love him.
However, if Bosh is looking for an “out” of sorts, he’s got it. Fostering a sense of resentment in Toronto would certainly make leaving the Raptors much easier. Bulls fans should hope Bosh’s turnoffs don’t include front office instability.
Wow.
Talented, good looking, AND basketball knowledge???
I’m in love and I’m moving to Canada.
Sorry Toronto, he is gone. The only chance you have is drafting #1 overall and getting John Wall. Unlikely but it may happen. The guy is plainly saying he wants out…I just worry if he won’t be taken the franchise out of Toronto when he goes!
now WE need some fans singing how much they love bosh
i guess the basketball following in Canada might be hurt by all their star players leaving, but seriously do Canadians even really like basketball? do the kids actually play basketball up there? We love our B-ball much more in the Chi. Canadians should be more upset that their hockey teams suck, as the blackhawks are currently beating up on the Canucks, but in regards to basketball they should understand that no team in Canada will ever be a legit contender, basketball just isn’t a Canadian sport. in that same vein, there should not be professional hockey teams in in Arizona, California, Texas, or Florida.
Hey “bobbysimmons” Thats what they said about the Blue Jays and we won the World Series Back to Back no less. Do some research on attendance stats at NBA games and you will find that Toronto is top 5 in attendance and is also one of the biggest and richest Markets than many NBA cities..I really hate when peeps just shoot off at the lip with no basis….
She is pretty hot & funny! Got to love that combo!
bah! no basis? keep dreaming brah, why do you think all your top players have left? speaking of shooting off at the lip with no basis, take your own advice, toronto was 14th in home attendance this year. and btw anything the bluejays do on that field made of old tennis balls can’t be considered legit
HEY JEFF W I KNW U FEEL STUPID!!! RAPTORS SUCK WITH BOSH, SO IF HE STAYS OR GOES YA STILL CANT BEAT CHI TOWN BABY!
Yeah, this has been a no brainer for awhile..he’s been gone!
You know I’ve always thought outside of that song he looked like his team name, lol
Hey Trm3, I just want to jump back on what you said about David Lee in the previous past comments smart guy. Even if David Lee never played in the playoffs that doesn’t mean jack!
How do you explain Jamal Crawford, he never played in the playoff throughout his hole career and he is still putting up great numbers in the playoffs and he use to play for the same team NY!
If Aaron Gray goes To NY like you said and becomes a starter like David Lee he would probably average about 5-7 points per game with 4-5 rebs and 4-5 Personal fouls, if he plays around 25-30 minutes.
And if that is the case about what you said about anybody that is a nobody like A. Gray and goes to NY, they will anatomically become as good as David Lee right? Wrong! think again, look at T-Mac, Chris Duhon, Larry Hughes or Jared Jeffries why couldn’t they put up explosive numbers and become all star players like Lee? Just made my point again Trm3, u don’t know Jack bout B-ball and players
If you were Bulls GM you would rather sign Carlos Boozer to a 6 year 16 million dollar contract, when he is already getting old and he is a INJURY RISK type of player!
WHY do that, when the Bulls can sign a healthy, cheaper and works hard type of player like David Lee for 9.5-10 million dollars with a 4-5 year contract. It’s a no brainer deal…..
Then the Bulls should sign other Taller SG like: Anthony Morrow or Kelenna Azubuike to a 3 year contract with other cheaper players: like Joe Alexander, Acie Law, Brad Miller or Chris Richard and other players like that to complete our 13 man roster with a 1-2 year contracts.
After that, the Bulls should focuses on trying to trade L. Deng while his value is high right now with their late 2nd round draft pick for Rudy Gay. Then the Bulls will have enough strong fire power players to help D. Rose.
LOL@ DJ..I was being sarcastic about Aaron Gray, he sucks. As for David Lee..I’m sorry I really don’t care for the guy and I’m not impressed with him. Taj can and evenly will do what David is doing…
and I have no clue why ur talkin about the playoffs and Jamal Crawford. I liked Jamal when he was here tho
Just read the rest..If I were a GM I wouldn’t be signing Boozer to a max deal, I’m not a fan of him either..I just included him in the list with Bosh and Amar’e cause he’ll be out there..my list is like this,
Wade, Bosh, Amar’e, Gay, Johnson then Allen (Cause he’s a shooter but only go for him if we got a post player)..and to get Gay like u said I’d trade Deng for him.
Here’s my Xmas list/July..Bosh, Gay..and I’ll be happy..or here..to make u happy..if we got Wade, I would then accept David Lee. I just think we need a Superstar to go with Rose..and David Lee isn’t a Superstar. Sorry.
LOL @ Trm3! (Face ass) you are just like everyone else “being unrealistic.” Just like I told u in the previous comments and this time please read my comments: the Bulls have NO…… NO……… NO……. chance of getting: Bosh, Amar’e or especially Wade! (he said it himself he likes Miami over Chicago and that is his new hometown.) Even if the Bulls do manage to get Wade, it wouldn’t work out with Rose b-cuz both of them like to control the basketball and the are the same players.
As for Amar’e he is another BIG RISK INJURY type of player like Loozer I mean Boozer lol. (Hint: his legs, eyes & he demands a lot of money with a 6 year contract.) If I am the Bull GM right now, I would say: No thanks!
As for Bosh he has better options then to play for the Chicago Bulls like: the Lakers (by trading Pau Gasol in a sign and trade deal with a big money long term contract) or he would rather player somewhere by his hometown in Texas. LIke Dallas, Houston or San Antonio (it’s common sense.)
At least we are on the same page by adding Rudy Gay to the Bulls roster this summer in a sign and trade deal for L. Deng.
As for my guy David Lee you should recheck his stats again buddy b-cuz he is a really good fit with Noah and Rose, by the way he plays hard by hustling, rebounding, shooting and he is a really good passer. Plus he is an easy target if the Bulls focus on getting him 1st with paying him least money then what Wade, Bosh, Amar’e or Joe Johnson want which is around 17-19 million dollars. And don’t forget Trm3 the Bulls still have to resign Rose and Noah with adding other solid players.
I like your idea about Ray Allen or adding someone like Manu Ginobili but, I would only sign them to a 1 year deal b-cuz of their age.
Then for my Xmas list I would try to trade some players that are not helping out my team at all for players that I need in order to improve against others good teams.
Remember Trm3 the Bulls only need 2-3 All Star players to become a championship team and we already have 1 player which is D. Rose, our second guy would be Rudy Gay hopefully, if we get him in a sign and trade deal for Deng and our 3rd guy would be David Lee if the Bulls manage to get him over Boozer hopefully or J. Noah if he keeps improving his inside game by continuing to become a double double machine like Dwight Howard.
Nice comment DJ! I totally agree with you at 110 percent. Thank god that we still have some fans out their that are being realistic unlike: Trm3 lol jk
LOL, not being unrealistic Lopez..my point about Wade and Bosh..is that we have to try, of course I don’t wanna put all my eggs into 1 or 2 guys. I’m smart enough to know I don’t want us to get burned. So u gotta try and see what it will take but at the same time I don’t want to end up with another Ron Mercer signing.
I’ll come around to David Lee. I didn’t like the Noah pick at first but I understood at number 9 he was the best pick there but still didn’t like him. That’s all changed now, Noah has made me appreciate and really be a fan of him. I like his work ethic, the willingness to want to get better..gotta love that.
Don’t get my thoughts as being unrealistic tho guys..I just think u have to try for Wade or Bosh first then go from there. I think our FO is smarter then just try for them and that’s it..I’m sure they’ll be making a lot of calls to a lot of people in July.
Btw changing my list..Get rid of Pargo (I forgot that one)..then Wade, Bosh and so on and so on, lol
hey guys,
just wanted to say that all you bull fans are all full of bull yourself. the only reason that the bulls made the playoffs this year was cuz CB4 didnt play against them. woulda saved joakim noah the embarassment of callin out cleveland. the raptors do have one of the highest markets in all of the NBA, especially with the movement of the grizzlies, the raptors are now only canada’s team. by the way, the blackhawks roster is pretty much all canadian, and the canucks are looking like they want this series. whether or not cb4 comes back to toronto or not, we wont be left empty handed cuz colangelo is a way better GM than most in the league. so basically, screw the bulls, mj has left the building and will never return.