It’s very rare that I feel sorry for someone who makes $15 million a year. I make an exception for All-Star power forward Chris Bosh. Not only does his team not perform, but he’s stuck in Canada for crying out loud. With all of the talk about the big name free agents in 2010, he seems to be the only superstar guaranteed to be on the move.
Bosh has proven himself to be one of the elite power forwards in this league. He averages 22 point a game and just over 10 rebounds. He would be a great addition to any team that has three point shooting due to the fact that he commands a double team on most nights. The problem is, I feel as though many general managers are looking past Bosh is hopes of nabbing Dwyane Wade or LeBron James in free agency. Newsflash… Neither of those guys are heading anywhere. Wade already has a championship ring. Yes his team is a bit weak right now, but they are young. Give them a year or two and they will be sitting right back on top of the Eastern Conference where they belong. As for James, he is playing on arguably the best team in the NBA right now. Why would he leave to go through the rebuilding process all over again? Teams need to start looking at the big man with the dreadlocks to not only fill the paint, but put butts in the stands.
The argument is always made that perhaps he loves the freezing cold temperatures of Toronto’s winters that he will stay put. Ha! There’s a better shot of seeing Charles Barkley turn down a burger. In addition to that, the Raptors have failed to put a winning team around him. They brought in shooters, defenders, veterans, and still can’t manage to win. This season alone the team was unsuccessful with stints with Shawn Marion and Jermaine O’Neal. More importantly, Bosh has superstar appeal. He is a character who comes up with creative YouTube videos and backs up his antics with his play on the floor. He has commercial appeal that will never fully be reached in Toronto. That’s the reason why both Tracey McGrady and Vince Carter left the team in years past.
So the question is: Where To? Tons of cellar dwelling teams are clearing cap space in order to land a big name. I highly doubt that Chris Bosh would want to leave one bad team for another. As I look to the top of the NBA and the teams who have the cap space and could utilize a player of his talent, I find the answer to my question.
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons are having a terrible season. They lost their point guard Chauncey Billups and got nothing in return from Allen Iverson. Rasheed Wallace is showing that he has very little interest in playing for the organization anymore. The teams’ president Joe Dumars, who is known for making big moves, will more than likely not resign Wallace or Iverson. That’s over $33 million coming off the books next year. With the remaining pieces of the team left intact (Prince, Hamilton, Stucky, etc.), that’s enough cash to sign Bosh and then some. A potential move like this one must have Dumars salivating at the ability to win another NBA title.
Who wouldn’t want to play with LeBron James? When the Cavs choose to cut ties with Big Z and Ben Wallace in 2010, Chris Bosh may have the luxury of playing alongside one of the game’s best. Bosh and James have been tied to one another since coming into the league as members of the 2003 NBA draft class. They are also very familiar with one another’s playing style after winning a gold medal together in the 2008 Summer Olympics. This move is the only opportunity available for Bosh to go to a team that is already competing for an NBA title on a regular basis. The Cavs would have a third All-Star, and let LeBron know that the organization is committed to winning for a very long time.
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