Chris Bosh Ready To Go From Star To Mega Star?

I feel like I have watched Chris Bosh grow up before my eyes. I still can remember when the Raptors drafted him out of Georgia Tech like it was Yesterday. Glen Grunwald the Raptor G.M passed on Dwyane Wade to select Chris. Despite the talent of Wade, I can not fault the choice of Chris Bosh at all. He has become the 3rd man to wear the label of Face of the Franchise. Damon Stoudamire and Vince Carter did not handle the job as well as Chris Bosh has. It was not that way at the start. But Bosh has grown into the role of Franchise Player and in the past few years embraced it and thrived in it. Both Stoudamire and Carter had ugly ends to their time as the Raptors top dog. Chris Bosh has not in fact he is so comforterable in the role he tells fans what to do. He at the end of last season wanted more from the crowds at the ACC and he went out and asked for it. Toronto is a long way from Dallas, Texas but it has become a second home for the Raptors star. Some have suggested that Bosh will be on the move in 2010 and I am here to say I don’t buy it. Bosh seems happy to have his own team, city and country to support him. That is not to say all the recent attention for him back home in the United States is not something he enjoys and deserves. From his gigs on NBA TV,  his growing number of Videos on YouTube to a Job on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Yeah that whole playing for a Canadian Team is really hurting his career in U.S isn’t it?

That has always been one of the arguements made that players can’t become stars in Canada. Well Vince Carter was a huge star and his Raptor Jersey never held him back. Chris Bosh is becoming a star as well in U.S and again the Raptor Jersey is not hurting him. Carter burst on to the scene like a rocketship and he fizzled almost as fast. Bosh has slowly earned his way to become a superstar in the NBA. He did it through hard work and not by making ESPN Sportscenter for Highlight Reel Dunks. He would miss out on his first shot at being an All-Star thanks in part to Jermaine O’Neal who he will now be paired with. But Bosh the next year would make it to his first All Star game the following year and has been every year since.

He was also selected to be a part of the United States Basketball Program. Vince Carter was also a member of team U.S.A in his days with Toronto. He was part of the last successful American entry at the Olympics in Sydney. Bosh wants to be like Vince in one sense and that is to have his own gold medal. After having to sit out last summer Chris Bosh has been making up for lost time this summer. The people of the United States are learning what Raptor fans already know. Chris Bosh is good. In fact good is a massive understatement. Bosh has been working on his game and most of that work has been on the defensive end of the floor. On a team of stars he is showing that he is willing to work hard and do what it takes.

The experience of working out with the best the NBA has to offer is something that can only challenge Bosh to take his game to a new level. I admit based on some injury concerns I was not exactly thrilled with the idea of Bosh playing this summer. But the risk may indeed be worth the reward in the end. In talking with Jack Armstrong recently he made me see that. Bosh is getting a chance to play against some strong competition each and everyday. The media is starting to notice that Chris Bosh is truly one of the best in the NBA. The people of the United States now know it was not some wacky video that made Chris Bosh an All-Star, it was hard work.

If he comes home with a gold medal or not Chris Bosh is going to be better from the experience. I was reading his blog from China yesterday and you can tell Chris is having an experience of a lifetime both on and off the basketball court. I added a link to that in yesterday’s blog yesterday afternoon if you haven’t read it. Chris Bosh has come a long way from the quiet skinny kid that showed up from Georgia Tech. He is now truly a man both on and off the floor.

This next season Bosh will have some major help in the paint. O’Neal will allow Bosh to see less double teams and that is bad news for teams facing the Raptors. If he and Jermaine can match the vision of Sam Mitchell of being a modern Ducan and Robinson combo it could lead to big things. Both will have to remain healthy for this to happen. The combo at 100% is truly going to be a force for the Raptors. O’Neal will also bring a grit and a toughness that will make people think twice if they are going to try to push Bosh and the Raptors around.

This could be the year that Chris Bosh could honestly be an M.V.P contender. Vince Carter can snicker all he likes but Bosh is coming closer to an M.V.P level than he ever did or will. We all remember that night at the ACC when Carter was stunned to hear the crowd chanting M.V.P for Bosh. Well if things go the right way this year for Bosh then Carter could be hearing that for years to come. I am not saying that Bosh will win the Award. But will he be able to make a strong case for himself? I think so if things go right for the Toronto Raptors. The idea of the star player on Canada’s NBA team winning the M.V.P may seem crazy but is it anymore crazy than a small white kid from B.C winning 2 of those awards. You may not believe me and that is o.k. In fact Bosh himself is probably just starting to believe he can himself. On his Tonight Show job he asked Kobe Bryant if he could have the M.V.P Trophy for a day. It was a comdey bit but it may not be a joke for much longer. Bosh may earn the right to see that award everyday and not pay Kobe a dime for the right too. Dwight Howard is thought as someone that may win that award so why not Bosh who has out performed him on the United States team this summer.

On the eve of playing his point guard Jose Calderon in the biggest game of the olympics so far, you can expect to see Bosh be a big factor win or lose. I wonder what that guy writing the Laker Blog is saying now? Chris Bosh is better than you thought? I won’t hold my breath waiting for his blog saying “I am sorry Chris Bosh”. Chris may not have a fan in him but all over America the CB4 fan club is growing. It is well deserved for Bosh. He works hard and he has fun while he is doing it. He is everything a team could ask for in a Franchise Player. Bryan Colangelo and Raptor Fans are lucky to have Chris Bosh. When 2010 comes Bryan Colangelo will make sure Chris knows that and re-signs him to remain in Toronto. Championships? M.V.P’s? they could all be in the future for Chris Bosh. He truly can be that good. If you doubt it just keep watching he will prove you wrong or bust his butt trying. The Jets of the NFL can have their new #4, I am happy with the one we have here in Toronto.

Tags: Bryan Colangelo, Chris Bosh, Jermaine O'Neal, Jose Calderon, Kobe Bryant, Raptors At The Olympics, Sam Mitchell, Vince Carter