RaptorsHQ All-Star Game Recap - Bosh Nearly Grabs MVP Trophy
by Adam Francis on Feb 15, 2010 7:30 AM EST
in Feature Stories
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PrintI'm hoping that many of our readers caught last night's NBA All-Star game on replay as they were glued into the Olympics and in particular, Canada's Gold Medal mogul run.
However if you were like me, and did the reciprocal, you actually saw a surprisingly entertaining affair that pitted a stacked East squad, against an undermanned one from the West.
The game believe it or not, came down to the final seconds and after the Raptors' own Chris Bosh hit two free-throws to put the East ahead, Carmello Anthony failed to draw iron off an inbounds play, and the East walked away with a 141-139 victory.
Bosh on the night was virtually unstoppable.
He finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds and along with Dwyane Wade and Lebron James, was one of the favourites for game MVP as the fourth quarter started to wind down. However a couple missed jumpers and a missed alley-oop off a Lebron James pass may have sealed his fate and Wade walked away with the trophy. It was a well-deserved honour for Wade, who finished with 28 points, 11 assists and 6 rebounds.
Oh...and Mr. James was no slouch himself. He had 25 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 4 steals.
James as usual, did a bit too much ball-hogging down the stretch though and it was nice to see an MVP outside of him or Kobe; those two have won every All-Star game MVP award in the past 5 years outside of this year.
Speaking of Lebron, one final point on the game itself. Considering that Carmelo Anthony was probably the West's MVP leader, this match really showed how unique that 2003 draft class was. Lebron, Melo, Bosh and Wade...just four incredibly unique and ridiculous talents, and all very different players in many ways. Throw in Kaman who was playing in the game for the West, and some previous All-Stars like David West from that class, and it really makes you think. The 1996 class might have been the most deep talent-wise of all time, but this, and the Jordan-Hakeem draft, were like catching lightening in a bottle if you were "unlucky" enough to be a lottery club that year.
For Raptors' fans, you have to come away feeling pretty satisfied with the weekend.
DeRozan wasn't ridiculous, but for his first attempt he was pretty solid overall, and hopefully this springboards his confidence for the rest of the season and beyond. His performance didn't result in some of the outcomes I discussed last Friday, but this was no "Birdman" number either.
And of course with Bosh last night, it was simply further proof that the Raptors, and MLSE for that matter, need to do whatever it takes to lock this guy up long-term.
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BOSH FOR MVP
Great article bosh played amazin last night.and to all the fans and some of the readers on here that say bosh isn’t a max player is on crack.he’s having the best season of his career,he’s team is on a roll,he’s showin his leader skills,and he arguable should have been the mvp last night.and he’s still young which means he could only get better.he’s a max player pure and simple and the raptors need to lock him up long term.
by sherwin316 on Feb 15, 2010 8:29 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Fans like Sherwin316 bug me.
Bosh is not a “pay him the max dollars player.” Yes, the franchise GM BC will end up paying the maximum dollars because:
a) He is our alpha dog franchise guy
b) Bosh will attract fans around the league to watch the Raptors
c) Bosh has good character in the locker room
d) Bosh is a leader.
But what is not included in the points is
i) Bosh does not make players around him better. He doesn’t pass the ball enough for other players on the court to rely on his play.
When Vince Carter signed his max contract, he too was
A) Playing the best ball of his career
B) Got the Raptors past the second round
C) Had leadership skils
D) Was Young
guys like bargsbust dont know basketball
haha Ok you say he aint a max pay player maybe your right a player who is young ,a walking double double hands down one off if not the best PF in the game today hmmm I guess isn’t a max player.kevin garnett is a max player yet he couldn’t do nothing for the twolves til they got cassel and sprewell there. Yet I’m sure you would say Kevin aint a max player either..and judging by your name you probably saying Andrea is a bust yet he’s posting career numbers and playing out of position yep makes a lot of sense
by sherwin316 on Feb 15, 2010 11:48 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
So is Tim Duncan a max guy? Not sure there’s much difference between Duncan’s top seasons and Bosh’s this year statistically. Plus, Duncan’s supporting cast has been much better.
And remember, this is coming from someone who last year HATED the idea of Bosh getting a max deal…
by Adam Francis on Feb 15, 2010 11:57 AM EST up reply actions
The difference..
..between players like Garnett / Duncan and Bosh is the defense.
Bosh is a serviceable defender, perhaps slightly above average, whereas those other two have or had comparable offensive dominance to Bosh yet All-World type defense.
Bosh is a fantastic player but I wouldn’t say he’s a franchise guy. I would put him more in the same company of Pau Gasol – can lead a team to the playoffs, but would play better as one the best second bananas in the league.
The question is does he change games on his own? Can he dominate down the stretch to put his team over the top? Are his teammates better off for his presence?
All of those answers are a lukewarm yes, lukewarm because he’s not consistent. A franchise guy is emphatic yes (Wade, Bryant, James)
by Cpt. Tiddlywinks on Feb 15, 2010 7:27 PM EST up reply actions
is there a way to play amazing on an ASG?
Not referring specifically to Bosh, just a general statement. I is almost as serious as a globetrotters game…
Good point but most of the time specially in the end of theses games the players take it seriously and they want to win.bragging rights and egos are always there.specially if your playing in your home town like bosh well for sure your going to play great which he did.
by sherwin316 on Feb 15, 2010 8:47 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
It was good to see the players’ competitiveness take over down the stretch…and therefore it was a lot less “Globetrottery” than usual.
by Adam Francis on Feb 15, 2010 9:29 AM EST up reply actions
Fans like BargsBust bug me.
Any GM in the league would love to build a team around a player like Bosh. A power forward scores, rebounds and blocks shots, if he can pass the ball well that is an added bonus. Bosh has 120 assists on the season, for a 2.3 assists per average. He actually comes in above the league average of 1.4 assists, a testament to his growing skill set. He is also FOURTH in the LEAGUE in PER at 26.3, but I guess he doesn’t make players around him better because he does not pass the ball well, forget about all those offensive rebounds that lead to second chance opportunities, oh and all those game changing blocks this season, I guess those don’t help either. Also, when did Carter ever get us out of the second round? Pretty sure he failed hard at that buddy.
ask a gm?
What do you mean “have you asked that to a few of them”? Ok you tell me what GM in this league wouldn’t want or build there team around possibly the best player in this league at his position and that GM wouldn’t have a job. And I agree bosh has made his teammates better.when your team leader is feeding you the ball to hit open game sealing shots and he believes in you enough to do that you think that doesn’t give them confidence to succeed or to improve their game if that situation happens again? That’s how he makes his teammates better. Andrea ,Jose everybody
by sherwin316 on Feb 15, 2010 5:51 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
You're nuts!
If I had Tim Dunacn, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant,, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Kevein Durant,
Dirk Nowitzki, Brook Lopez, Amare Stoudemire, Dwight Howard, Paul Pierce all in my team before I drafted Chris Bosh.
Did Chris Bosh go number 1 in your fantasy pool this season? ’Cause if he did, your league is a crapshoot.
Chris Bosh CB4, whatever..
I’m so glad you are not the GM of the Raptors, you would make Isiah Thomas who signed Eddy Curry look like a genius.
Here’s the thing, you named 11 guys…two of whom (Pierce and Lopez) have done WAY worse jobs of carrying teams themselves than Bosh. (See Nets and previous pre-KG and Allen versions of the Celtics.)
And I doubt there’s a sane person who’d rather Amare than Bosh, so essentially that makes 8 players in THE ENTIRE LEAGUE better than Bosh.
How does that not make him someone you NEED to lock up?
Last year I wouldn’t have put Bosh in the top 20 but this year he’s doing it all, and you’ve got to wonder that if he wasn’t so key on offense, would his D be a lot better too…
by Adam Francis on Feb 15, 2010 10:04 PM EST up reply actions
Fans like BargsBust bug me.
Fans like BargsBust bug me. …do you just post anything that comes to your mind, because obviously you have not Watch Bosh since he has been drafted. This is a scrany 6’ 10" kid that has developed into the best powerforward in the league today. He doesn’t make player around him better? What kind of crap is that? Have you seen Bargs game, have you seen Jose’s game, I guess those players are not around Bosh, you fool. ON another note Franchise hit the nail on the head why Bosh miss out on the mvp last night, it was those 2 jumpers and the allyhoop if he would’ve cash in on those he would have 29 points and 10 boards, he would definately be a top contender, but Wade deserve it, so did Lebron and Carmello if the West would’ve won….Great Job Bosh…BC you better get that mlse wallet out….while you are at it…….see if Washington wants to do anything with Josh Howard….raps4life
LOL.
Dirk Nowitzki is the best power forward in the game. He has only led his team win the last 10 year with 50 plus straight wins AND has won an MVP award. You need to clean your mouth. You probably talk before you think… if you think at all. LOL.
LOL OMGZ YOU ARE SO FUNNY
“He has only led his team win the last 10 year with 50 plus straight wins…”
Maybe you should learn to type before you go giving advice there whiz kid.
Nowitzki is currently, arguably the best power forward in the game, his numbers are very comparable to Bosh’s, Notwitzki also has a better, more experienced support cast around him, like he has always had in Dallas. Dirk is awesome, but his game has plateaued and will soon start to drop as he ages, Bosh’s play is still on the incline, I believe we have not seen the tip of his potential yet, there is muscle and weight yet to gain and skills to be learned and polished.
I really fail to understand
How Jose’s game is influenced by Bosh
In relaiton to Andrea’s game I would say the effect is reciprocal (I actually went on record saying they both are each other best complement. Whether that is good enough to be elite, that is still debateable and will always be untill they win something)
I believe they will give him the max and he will stay in TO. and this has more to do with other considerations than just pure Chris value.
Ooooh
totally disagree. Bosh and Bargs play the same natural position. There best compliment would be a low psot banging center.
Too many jump shots between the two of Bosh-Bargs for that front line to be a long term solution.
by Cpt. Tiddlywinks on Feb 15, 2010 7:31 PM EST up reply actions
I must have missed
Bosh killing it from three and dunking starting from the three point line.
I however have clear images of Andrea killing it in the low post, back to the basket. Unfortunately I always weak up afterward…..
Are all of you 12 years old?
You can have a legitimate discussion without insulting each other. The thing is, neither of you are able to prove your point, as you are both speaking almost purely from opinion.
The Problem with Bosh
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – Bosh is a fine player – but his play doesn’t lead to wins the way it does with other players with similarly impressive stats (and even lesser ones).
Tough to explain, but he’s a guy who scores 30+ points with 10 rebounds and they lose…The other players of his calibre get WINS with their big numbers. Maybe things are changing with the recent run – we’ll see.
If your big numbers don’t get you wins, you’re no franchise player. The GM’s in the league know it – they see Bosh as the key support man to a D. Wade or Lebron – a guy that plays like he did for the US olympic team – big and good – but not the leading lady.
One other thing you notice this year, is that it appears he’s grabbing a lot of gimme rebounds at the Raptor end of the floor with no one challenging him (except his own players) to pump up his free agent numbers. Nothing against that by the way it’s smart – but it’s a fact.
OK I gotta respond
This is idiotic
he’s grabbing a lot of gimme rebounds at the Raptor end of the floor with no one challenging him (except his own players) to pump up his free agent numbers.
Are you really suggesting that Bosh should instead go “Well, I’ve got my 10 boards tonight. It’s time to let Andrea or Hedo get some now or maybe I’ll let the other team get some.”
Bosh has a nose for the ball in terms of rebounds and he goes and gets them, which is a good thing because many of the other players on the team don’t have a natural inclination to go and get them.
And one more thing. There’s only 2 or 3 franchise players at any given time. Are you suggesting that the Raptors have no chance of winning without one of them and so we might as well suck for 10 years and get lucky enough to draft one so we can then start building around him? Face it, we’re not getting LeBron or Bryant or Wade and so we have to try to win with the “non-franchise” players.
Detroit proved its possible. If you say that Garnett and Pierce are not franchise players like the others, then Boston did it too
Bosh is young, so he is worth more than some think
Bosh is a great player in this league. He is not one of the top four players (Wade, Lebron, Kobe and Melo) but he is in the top ten in the league. He is also 25. Would you rather sign Pierce, KG, Dirk, Amare or Duncan. I think most GMs would rather sign Bosh to a max deal for years to come than any of these other players, and if you can be at the top of that list of players, you deserve a max deal.
Response
Bosh stays at his own end to get gimme rebounds when he doesn’t have to – in a way he hasn’t done in the past – if you think he isn’t thinking about his free agent numbers, well, I’ve got some great oceanfront property to sell you…
Nobody is saying Bosh isn’t a great player. He is. He just doesn’t get the wins that his kind of numbers should bring. As a GM you’ve got to look at that – that’s why they see him as a supporting player to a great player.
They can win without a franchise player like that, sure, but there are players out there who drive wins in addition to putting up big numbers. There may be better options…
Maybe it is because he is still young. That’s great. We’ll see.
point is how many of these players you speak of can you find out there, 3 I wouldn’t put put ‘melo in that group either.
I do have thesame thoughts about numbers translating to wins but I am sufficiently convinced that there’s a lot of upside to CB4’s game with what he’s shown this season. He will yet become that gamewinner you speak of, it’s about wanting it and he’s shown he wants it this season (nand pre-season) he will only get better.
About gimmme rebounds? thats totally crazy buddy, you should be glad if you love this team period.
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