The Real Issue Isn't Bosh

I mentioned a few days ago, this whole thing with Bosh is somewhat like a divorce. Well let the mud slinging begin I guess is the best way to sum up the last few days. People are losing it everywhere I look, be it on facebook or Twitter and in message boards, blogs and media. However at the end of the day some tweets and showing up at a Laker Playoff game don't change anything.

To devalue Bosh when he is on his way out the door is really for most done out of bitter feelings. I fully admit Bosh's actions of late have added fuel to that fire. That being said I have seen folks bashing this guy long before he had decided anything in terms of his future here in Toronto. Bosh news (not from twitter) in that he did not make the All-NBA Team 1st, 2nd or 3rd. Some will use this as a point to say the heck with Bosh. However, NBA awards this season have shown they are nothing more than a media popularity contest at best. When Sheed is getting a vote for 6th man of the year, and David Lee a vote for Defensive Player of the Year, how seriously can we take these things? But in a battle like a divorce is that going to matter? Nope.

Here is the reality of things for me, it is highly unlikely this team improves without Bosh. It is without question a public relations hit for the Raptors with the casual fan base. This now in a sense becomes a bit of a public relations war as well and a tricky one. The Raptors can not come out and slag Bosh because they need for his value to remain high. However the conversation is already starting about the post Bosh Era. Chris Bosh Raptor Legacy will take a lot of hits over this summer. However here is my take on it. The Organization failed to find the correct parts to place around him. They also failed to bring in people to help him in terms of leadership. Vince Carter had Charles Oakley to help run his locker room. Who did Bosh have to help him? No one comes rushing to mind.

Chris may not have handled this as well as he should in terms of his departure. Maybe this is his way of lashing back for having to deal with this whole drama for a longtime. It is unfortunate because for 7 years Bosh has been a classy individual,and many will forget that once all the mud is done flying. I can't say that Bosh is blameless in terms of things both on the floor and off it. However he is not a bad guy ether and he gave what he had for the Toronto Raptors in his time here.

He got frustrated and from my point of view, I understand it and accept it. The Raptors knew when he signed a 3 year extension that they were on the clock in terms of build a team around him. When the clock struck 0 they had not done enough. The effort was there in attempts to do so. However they fell short. I also think that Bosh made a valid point about this team never going on to be a team that entered the tax threshold.

The reality is unfortunately some players do not embrace the idea of coming to play in Canada. So the Raptors are likely going to have to over pay once in awhile to get players. That means you need to accept the reality of being a tax team. Given the current state of the economy it is not the big hit it once was. The Canadian dollar is running at par with the U.S dollar. Even take the whole Canada issue out of the mix. I will give you an example of a franchise that has over paid for players and been rewarded. The Orlando Magic signed both Lewis and Pietrus to contracts that were in most peoples view above their value. However they fit well in Orlando and have been successful.

People will talk about all the stars that have left in Carter,McGrady, Damon and now Bosh. However what the conversation should be about, is this team and organization and their commitment to winning a championship. MLSE has always said they are committed to winning and bringing a championship to the Raptors. Well talk is great but the time has come to be judged based on actions. Just saying that you are willing to go over a tax threshold is great. However until they do it they are just talking. The Raptors will once again under go a makeover and this is their last chance to get it right. Raptor fans need to not lose focus on the real issue. That isn't about Chris Bosh at all, it is about the overall picture of this organization. Losing Bosh in those terms, will be seen as a loss for the franchise and add to a growing list of stars that have left Toronto. That being said, those stars leaving have never really found much success have they. Vince Carter may finally get to a Conference Championship this year as a piece to a puzzle, but not the main piece. In the end this is about the puzzle and people trying to put it together not the puzzle pieces.

DNB's Triple Double #2

It is time again to play the DNB's Triple Double. If you are new to the game it is pretty simple really 3 topics and 10 points in each. We try to make 1 Raptor related, 1 NBA Related and the other just something on my mind. So ready? Let's go.

10 things I would do, if I owned the Raptors

• 10. Never have a game on TSN 2.
• 9. Hire Jeff Van Gundy and offer Jay a position in organization
• 8. Improve Raptors T.V with more created content.
• 7.Reduce the number of euro players (Only based on amount they play internationally)
• 6. Spend a day with Mark Cuban and talk shop.
• 5.Spend cash to market team more nationally
• 4.Get the All-Star Game for Toronto
• 3. Make it a goal to find a Canadian Player to be a Raptor
• 2. Allow fans a way to interact with me on a regular basis
• 1. Convince Bosh to remain a Raptor and spend what it takes to win.

Yeah I know that is not realistic some of that. Apparently I am also a billionaire because I am spending a lot of money. Still there are some good ideas in there. Feel free to share your own in the comments.

My Top 10 players in the NBA today.

• 10. Rajon Rondo
• 9. Chris Bosh
• 8. Dirk Nowitski
• 7.Deron Williams
• 6.Chris Paul
• 5. Dwyane Wade
• 4. Dwight Howard
• 3. Kevin Durant
• 2. Kobe Bryant
• 1. Lebron James

It is hard to agree on a list like this. I am sure many will roast me for putting Rondo ahead of the entire Big 3. But these lists are subjective and if you have a better 10 go for it.

My 10 favourite Coaches of all time in any sport.

• 10. Sam Mitchell
• 9. Jimmy Johnson
• 8. Bo Schembechler
• 7. Sparky Anderson
• 6. Stan Van Gundy
• 5.Jeff Van Gundy
• 4.Phil Jackson
• 3. Red Auerbach
• 2. Tom Landry
• 1. John Wooden

When I started this one it got me thinking how many people were getting left off the list. However, being favourites this is not a list of the greatest coaches (Clearly some are thought) just ones that I liked. Feel free to have a crack at your own.

So that is it, other than in case you missed it Demar DeRozan wrote a blog on his first year in the pros with the Raptors. It worth the click on the link.

"Jiggly Bits"

I love the NBA playoffs. Not so much to see the stars do their thing because really, if you've made it this far, anything is possible. Look at the Oklahoma Thunder. Man, that city really rallied around their team and made us all believers at one point, even the Lakers. But our soldiers in the gold and purple pulled out a series win and moved onto their next battle: the Utah Jazz where the Lakers are leading the series 1-0. Phoenix is in the same boat, an edge up on the Spurs 1-0 in that series. Atlanta and Orlando begin their battle this week, too. Which leaves us to round out the final second round series match-ups with Boston and Cleveland. With all the talk about Cleveland riding their broom to the final and sweeping every last opponent out of the way, the Boston Celtics are out to prove MVPs don't win championships - champions do. We'll talk about this series, Lebron's legacy, the Lebron and Durant rumours and Vinny Del Negro packing his bags.

Boston Kicks it up a notch

You know, I had my doubts the Cavs were going to cruise to an NBA Championship this year. I think sometimes people forget the playoffs are not a sprint to the finish. It is a full - out marathon. And if any of you have put your body through the challenges only a marathon can provide, you'll know even the most experienced athlete can hit the proverbial wall and things can break down or another marathoner will simple have everything clicking at the right moment and literally whiz right past you. This is what happened to the Cavs in game two of this series. Congratulations to Lebron on his MVP accolades and I totally agree he deserves it. But the reason he got it is the exact reason the Cavs struggle sometimes. If the Cavs need to control their transition better, Lebron is there. If the Cavs need more force on the defensive end of their game, Lebron may not prefer to be there but he'll fill the gap. And if the Cavs need a half court jumper to beat the buzzer, Lebron is your man. Being all things to your team takes it's toll and Boston capitalized on that to tie up the series. And by a pretty sizable margin, too (104-86) so they didn't just get lucky. Rajon Rondo had twelve assists in the first half alone and just created Boston scoring opportunities everywhere. The Celtics really built a lead by moving the ball and hitting open jump shots. Looking at the stats, Ray Allen outscored the Cavs all by himself in the third quarter of game two by 17-12 and Rondo had a career high 19 assists on the night at this point. Unbelievable. From watching the Celtics all season, the key for them has been their real ability to claw their way to a win if they need to or to put it simply, working together as a team. If they keep this up, that MVP trophy will be the only one Lebron will have in his 2010 collection.

Lebron James and his Legacy

I know you probably think because I am critical of the Cavs, I am of Lebron, too. It's my job to present both sides and be critical. But don't take this as I am attacking his future legacy because that's what I know all the emails after this blog will be about. I think Lebron James is a true character and ambassador to the sport. He could have accepted his MVP award in a big hall with all the NBA dignitaries you can imagine but he didn't. He shared it with his hometown of Akron in a public ceremony and later celebrated at a party open to all. I really hope broadcasters don't give up and stop voting for him him out of boredom if no one challenges his game and what he gives to it. Remember back in 2000, a former ESPN broadcaster took some real heat for giving his vote to Allen Iverson over Shaquille O'Neal - that was huge since Shaq could have swept the voting that year. I like how Lebron remains grounded and remembers who got him to where he is: friends, coaches and especially his Mom. I think she'd like an NBA trophy rather than flowers for Mother's Day this year, Lebron. But you don't need me telling you that.

"Lebronzenator and Durantula" coming to an arena near you

Really? Do we honestly believe this? I'd believe Chris Bosh going to Oklahoma before I see Lebron and Durant on the same roster, so lets not get our hopes up. I think because the Thunder has a relatively small payroll and tons of room under the salary cap, various scenarios are getting tossed around and this can get fueled by emotions. Dinonation James touched on this while responding to Bosh's tweets about his future with the Raptors. This is business and you can't let emotions get the best of you - this is what happened to another Toronto team (Really Leafs? No first pickin's for you for two whole years...why, why, why). If you look at what the Thunder has done over the last three years, they focus on the draft, make some trades and then see what's out there in terms of free agents. Thunder General Manager Sam Presti has done a pretty good job of building a team that will grow together and last. Will Lebron make them last like the energizer bunny? Probably not. Will Bosh? Possibly. Will Durant look for another playground? Quite possibly. Though Durant is under contract to play for the Thunder next season regardless of what happens this summer, Presti will most likely have a discussion with his biggest asset come July 1st. Oh what a summer this is going to be.

Del Negro is Done

Pretty sad, really. The Bulls went 41-41 this season and made the playoffs in each of their two terms with Coach Vinnie Del Negro. We knew in December amidst rumours that he was on his way out after a Bulls slow start, that a "kinda sorta maybe - we like you" from Bulls GM Gar Forman was not going to keep Del Negro on the Bulls payroll. But the Bulls as a team rallied to the post season and sadly, that wasn't good enough. I don't think he was really given a chance and Bulls management seemed to have a sink or swim mentality with him. It's their own fault, too. Remember when Del Negro was hired? He got the job obviously not on coaching experience because he had none but because two other high profile candidates fell through. C'mon this isn't high school Prom. No one wants to start a season praying for it to be over already in December. So what happens now? The new coach will have the pleasure of working with Derrick Rose and gets to lead a team that has loads of salary cap space to offer a lucrative contract to an awesome free agency class this summer. Sweet. I really hope Bulls management does their homework this time because it would be nice to see this team enjoy some success next season.

The Tweet Heard Round The NBA.

Before it was hip and cool to be on Twitter Chris Bosh was already on there. He has been a trend setter in social media. He seldom uses the medium as he once did, but this weekend for the first time in awhile he was tweeting and everyone paid attention. In case you have been living under a rock, or happen to be part of that half of the world not on Twitter here is what he said.

@Chrisbosh

Been wanting to ask. Where should I go next season and why?

About 30 minutes later he changed the question

@Chrisbosh

Ok... Let me rephrase the question. Should I stay or should I go?

This got everyone talking so much, it even got a mention with the newly crowned 2 time M.V.P, who made news with Raptor fans for his comments about the Raptors. The Bosh tweet was mentioned and James was asked what he thought about it. He didn't think much of it, but went on to say how much he respected Bosh and kept door wide open on his own future, and the idea of playing with Bosh. Chris was obviously watching, because he had this to say not long after that interview.

@Chrisbosh My first time making ESPN or ABC this year! Thank you Mr. Wilbon and Mr. James.

This is a not so subtle mention of the Raptors lack of television coverage in the United States. Everyone seems to have an opinion on what Bosh has done with these tweets. I respect Chris and have for the most part have always supported him in this blog. If the goal of this was to get attention it is mission accomplished. But is anyone foolish enough to believe that what people on Twitter and what they say is going to make a difference? I mean if it honestly does, than Chris Bosh is not the intelligent person that I know he is. Bosh has always left it out there that he has not made up his mind about his future for next season. But he said in his exit interview that this was a decision that was about winning and having the chance to win a championship. Not about Twitter. Also if you believe as most do that Chris has made up his mind at least in terms of staying or going from Toronto. Isn't this just a bit on the cruel side, or at least insensitive side for Bosh to do this?

Bosh had handled this season with a great deal of class and intelligence. However this may turn out to be his "Vince Carter Moment" in terms of his leaving. If Bosh does leave after this twitter appeal to fans will those fans who did respond and want him to stay not be pissed? I am banking that they will and Bosh may hear it when he does return to Toronto. I just don't understand why bother doing it unless as I mentioned it is a simple attention grab.

Bosh on the court has been a stand out in his time here. It is a shame if his legacy ends up reduced to a couple silly things said on Twitter. It would be kind of ironic if Bosh the king of social media, had it come back and bite him in the butt. It may have got the attention it was after but it also rubbed a lot of folks the wrong way. Also, if Bosh wants people to take his real desire to win seriously, doing stunts like this do not exactly help in that regard. Lebron James isn't on Twitter and he is also a 2 time M.V.P, and may be on his way to his first title, time will tell. However, the point is James while no doubt a fixture off the court as well as on it, still comes off as a guy that cares about winning and getting a ring. Some may feel that Bosh is not and point to things like this as proof of that.

I am not saying that Chris doesn't feel the exact same way as Lebron. However to take something that is ultimately a huge choice in his career, and where it is heading, and turn it into a topic on Twitter takes away from that. Chris seemed to find it annoying that it was always a topic of fans attention to ask him where he is going. He had said the fact he was asked about it constantly was frustrating. Well he gave the impression at least. Just like the line about ABC/ESPN, Chris sometimes will say things without saying them.

I have always thought of Chris as a highly intelligent person and what he has accomplished on and off the floor is proof of that. This is a move that doesn't seem to have been that. Where Chris Bosh lands, if it is anywhere but Toronto, this is a move that people will remember. If Bosh did nothing, I feel that majority of folks would have accepted his leaving and understood it was business and not personal. However, by this appeal to seek out public opinion from his fans or followers has made this personal. People often wonder why people still hate Vince Carter in Toronto? The answer is simple, he made it personal and fans have never forgiven him and most never will.

I had always had the impression that Bosh watched how that went down and came to the conclusion that was not going to be him. Well fans may never hate Chris in those terms but he has opened the door to people being hurt. Some fans want to believe against logic that some how Chris Bosh will come back next season. Every action of late suggests that he is likely as good as gone.

I always hope that I am wrong and that Chris will be back with the Raptors and everything will work out. But that is something that seems a far off fantasy that has no touch with reality. See that is the trick to doing this. I really am a fan of Chris, that being said I owe it to myself and you people to look at things objectively. It can be hard to separate those but it is possible to do.

Is there ever really a way a divorce can be good? In terms of just it's nature it is admission of failure. In any divorce there is always 3 sides to it. There is the 2 parties involved, and their versions, along with the truth. The Raptors have made their mistakes to lead to this point. So has Chris. This one on twitter might be one that sticks with him after he gone. Maybe more to the point it may stick with fans.

Which is really sad to me. I think Chris has always cared about his fans and I think it has been a two way street. It is hard to watch your favourite player move on. Be it intentionally or unintentionally Chris Bosh has added to that pain for folks. The only way that isn't true is if Bosh has made up his mind and is returning to Toronto. If that is the case give the man an award for acting, because he has earned it. Every sign and every action seems to point in the opposite direction.

Personally I will always like Chris beyond his playing days here in Toronto. I wish him well and all the best. I still can't help but be a bit disappointing in him over this one. I just don't see the logic or sense in doing it. Especially when you consider he had handled himself in a professional way the entire season. Whatever you care to make of it, these "Tweets" had an impact and will lead to a wide range of opinions and this was mine.

I hope that my thoughts on the long term impact of this is wrong. However given the way things go in Toronto would it surprise anyone if Bosh comes back to boos in some other jersey to be determined? It is a long summer and if it goes the way as expected who know what other things are to come? It is almost impossible to pull off this trick. To leave, and not offend or upset people is hard thing to pull off. Chris Bosh came close to pulling it off.

If Bosh does stay he can have the last laugh at how everyone said he was gone. That clearly isn't the direction he seems to be heading in.

Bosh and Hedo should be tied at the hip

It's only been a few weeks since the Raptors season officially came to an end. Well, unless you were watching the team since the All-Star game, in which case it's been over for months. But since its official end, many articles have been written discussing Bosh and his seemingly inevitable departure. One of the main themes in several of those pieces is that Bryan Colangelo has little to no control over the situation and that the Raptors will probably be forced to accept any offer thrown at them.

I'm not going to quote every article/chat that has offered up this kind of talk. Just to illustrate my point, I'll use this one story as an example. On April 28th, Miami-based writer, Ira Winderman was asked, "Will Toronto’s insistence on a sign and trade ruin our chances of getting Bosh? Can it work out in Miami’s favor? — Kevin." This was Ira's response: "It has nothing to do with what Toronto wants. The Heat simply can sign Bosh into its cap space. Bosh then can go back to the Raptors and say, “I’m going to the Heat, but I can earn more if you want to get something back in a sign and trade.” What the Raptors want has absolutely nothing to do with the process. It’s what Bosh wants. Bryan Colangelo is Bosh’s pawn right now, nothing more.

With words like "pawn" being thrown around in reference to the man behind the Raptors wheel, it's no wonder that fans get a little upset when Chris Bosh passively asks where he should go. I've been outspoken with my opinion on how Chris Bosh has handled this entire situation this season, but just in case you haven't read or heard what I've been saying-- I'll say it again. He has kicked in the teeth of the organization that has done everything to keep him here short of getting on one knee and proposing marriage. While the Hedo Turkoglu deal is now widely considered one of the worst signings in franchise history, at the time it was made, Bosh was among those singing its praises the loudest. He was the one who phoned Turkoglu to convince him that he was wanted in Toronto. He was the reason that Colangelo went out and signed Chris' college roommate (the fact that Jarret Jack actually worked out in Toronto is irrelevant). He's one of the biggest reasons Jay Triano is the head coach (JT and Bosh have formed quite the friendship over the years). Yet, for everything that the Raptors, and the city of Toronto have done for Bosh, he decided to make them wait it out because he just loved the attention. And for the record, I said that before his mindless, attention-seeking tweet. The Raptors moves may not have all panned out the way we all hoped, but it's not like the Raptors sat on their hands and did nothing. If Bosh had told BC behind closed doors that he wanted out last off-season, you better believe Turkoglu would be the Portland Trailblazers' problem.

If I'm Bryan Colangelo (whom, for the record, I've also called out), I don't even ask Chris to stay. Forget it as an option because it isn't one. BC needs to go into search mode right away and seek out the best possible return for his former franchise player. Some of the deals that have been thrown around involve Jeff Green from OKC, Michael Beasley from Miami, and Andrew Bynum from LA. But almost none of them have framed Colangelo has the aggressor. He's the one with the coveted asset-- not them. In my mind, if BC doesn't move Hedo Turkoglu's enormous contract along with Bosh, the deal should be considered a bust. It doesn't matter which young pieces come back if Hedo's money is still owed by the Raptors. Colangelo will have to take back a lot of contract to get it done, but he needs to manage it so that some of it is expiring, and some of it addresses the Raptors' weaknesses. If and when CB4 is traded this off-season, the Raptors will have entered rebuilding mode. The best way to rebuild is with as few ridiculous contracts as possible. If Turk is moved, then you only have to two players on the team getting paid more than $9 milion per year. Jose Calderon's contract will be much easier to move than Turk's and Andrea Bargnani's is actually a bargain (LaMarcus Aldridge gets paid $1 million more for almost the exact same output).

While many will judge this deal based on what the Raptors get back in return, I'll be one of the people who look at who else the Raptors are able to get rid of. The misguided writers out there may be saying, "Beggars can't be choosers," but if you're Bryan Colangelo, you better be very selective. This may be the deal that defines his career to date.


Follow me on Twitter @thisisanas

DNB Says TGIF

2 more teams joined the Raptors on the NBA sidelines as the Suns and Spurs sent the Blazers and Mavericks packing. So that leaves 3 series in play. Lakers and Thunder with Lakers up 3-2, Jazz leading Nuggets 3-2 and Bucks up on Hawks 3-2. Of those 3 the obvious surprise is the Bucks are not only alive but leading over the Hawks. Should the Hawks go on to a rather large failure you wonder what the fall out will be. Could Mike Woodson job be in jeopardy? Might be another team for Sam Mitchell to interview with as he lives in ATL and is seen at some Hawks games every once in awhile. I did say another team didn't I. That is because Mitchell was among a number of names that Sixers will talk with to fill their vacant coaching position. Among that list apparently is Jeff Van Gundy.

Bryan Colangelo had predicted 6-9 coaching vacancies this off-season. He also said Toronto would not be one of them. Given some of the names out there maybe it should be? If Triano does not turn out the way Bryan hopes will the Raptors miss a chance on landing a coach they desire? Jeff Van Gundy should he decide to leave the T.V gig he has with ESPN/ABC, might be the one name that fans would point too. Many times his name has come up in the fan base as a potential coach here in Toronto. You also have Avery Johnson working for ESPN in studio as well as a guy that is a former Coach Of The Year with Mavericks.

I suppose coaches will always be hired and fired but there seems to be more interesting candidates out there than I can ever recall. That being said isn't this like a married guy checking out all the available women at a singles bar? I mean it is not like Raptors are going to get any of these guys. Still you can't help but look and think and wonder. Also it wasn't me that made this marriage. Bryan Colangelo is the one that made the commitment not me or you.

That being said what exactly do the Raptors have as a selling point to a coach? Bosh would have been one but he is halfway out the door. The prospect of having to yell at Hedo Turkoglu for 4 years? Well maybe not.

Why? It would appear that at least Colangelo is going to try to tie Hedo with Bosh to unload his contract. That is at least what they seem to think in Houston. However this rumour is flawed in a lot of ways. Bosh is apparently the number 1 free agent target for the Rockets. I can buy that, and playing in Texas makes sense it might appeal to Chris. Here is where problems start in terms of what else is in the deal aside from the Hedo dump. Trevor Ariza coming back to the Raptors. Isn't this that same Ariza that was rumoured to have turned down more money from Raptors and went to Houston. Which caused the Raptors to go after Hedo. Ariza at least based on the rumour mill of the past would not exactly embrace a move to Toronto.

It is so easy to make a rumour. It is even easier to pick them apart. This appears to be my job at least part of it for the next few months. It leads you think....THANK GOD IT IS FRIDAY.....and see you Monday people.

OKC + CB4 Makes Sense For All

I thought the summer T.J Ford was expected to be traded would be the worst summer for me doing this. Well, the Chris Bosh stay or go and now Sign and Trade sweepstakes is going to be far worse. I was reading someone in Miami media (responding to a fan question) saying that Bosh ran this process and Bryan Colangelo was just his pawn. Maybe this person in Miami spends to much time in the sun. That would only be true, if you honestly believe that Bosh has the guts to say he will leave 30 million on the table, if he does not get his first choice in a sign and trade scenario. I do not see that happening. Also, there is another rumour out there that a sign and trade between the Lakers and Raptors has already been agreed upon for Andrew Bynum. It is going to be a summer filled of this kind of stuff.

For my money, if Chris Bosh truly wants to win the best place for him to land is OKC for both him and the Raptors. Bosh said in his comments in his exit interviews, he is realistic in understanding where ever he ends up it may not result in a title right away. OKC is a team on the rise and despite their success is not beating the Lakers this year. The main reason they will not, is not having any real post options. Bosh would clearly give them that and Kevin Durant would have a running mate in the post to play with him and Westbrook. Obviously from a lifestyle point of view, this would be a major change for Bosh. However it would allow him the chance to focus on winning and basketball. It also is a lot closer to Dallas on a map as opposed to Toronto (If that matters). If Bosh is serious about winning this is or should be a team on his list.

For the Raptors let's take a look at 3 of the most talked about Bosh landing spots and why they don't work for them. The Knicks are not a good fit as David Lee is a worse version of Bosh and he is not even under contract to New York. The other piece the Knicks have is Gallanari. Italy can't even make the World Championships and we want 3 of them on the Raptors? No thanks.

You hear Miami a lot as well. After watching them get demolished by the Celtics who excites you on that Miami Roster? Joel Anthony would be nice not only because he is Canadian but a legit center option. However, Michael Beasley who would be the major piece coming back in a deal is not as appealing. Some People consider Bargnani a bust pick for the Raptors. Well is that not what Beasley has been for Miami?

There is also the Lakers who have Andrew Bynum and have always liked Bosh. Phil Jackson was once fined by the league for his comments in regard to liking Bosh the last time his contract came up. Bynum is a major risk and has had injury issues for a long time. He is about a major injury away from being considered a more talented Greg Oden.

OKC can clearly put together a package that has upside and less risk tied to it. A package of Green and Harden would be a slam dunk for the Raptors, in terms of getting legit value back for Bosh. They would also have to take some other things, to make the money line up, but it would be worth it. If the goal out of a Bosh sign and trade is long term stability and upside, OKC is the clear winner of the available options.

Bryan Colangelo needs to hit a home run on this deal. He also needs to make a deal that is able to inspire hope for the future for the Raptors. Not hope in draft picks that who knows what you may get as Babcock did in the Vince Carter deal. Legit players that have established they belong in NBA and have upside. If you can get draft picks on top of that... go for it.

However, it goes down there is going to be a public relations hit for the Raptors with it's casual fan base. They as we all do still remember the Vince Carter trade and what a terrible failure that was. Who and whatever comes back for Bosh has to be a success in both the short and long term. If Harden and Green were part of the package coming back you would have that. Green was the Big East Player of the year and his NBA career started as part of a big trade in the NBA. He was part of the deal that brought Ray Allen to the Celtics. Harden has made an impact off the bench at times for OKC and was highly thought of in his draft class.

Would OKC make this move? It would make a lot of sense for them to add a legit established star and unload some of their young talent to do it. The problem down the road for OKC will be that they can't keep everyone and eventually a move like this will need to be made. They also have to start to look to build up their front court that is lacking, in a conference that has a lot of quality players to deal with in the front court.

When you examine the options out there this is the closest fit that makes the most sense for all parties involved. Is it the perfect one? Not exactly, however in every conversation you ever have with Chris Bosh winning is always involved. This is a chance for him to clearly do that. He would not be "the man" in OKC and it is not exactly that big media market. However it is the best chance for him to win not just in the short term but the long term as well.

I just think this option makes the most sense and have mentioned it for quite some time. Other articles have come out since my belief in this. So, if I am totally nuts in thinking this, at least I am not alone. This is far from nuts thought and OKC may seriously consider it. They fall short of being able to sign a player to a max deal on their own. So, this is the only way that OKC can be a major player in the Free Agent Frenzy. They need to make a trade if they hope to land any major free agent.