Chris Bosh Ready for Breakout Season
Following a 33-win season in which he failed to make an All-NBA team and his team finished in the lottery, expect Chris Bosh to have a season of redemption in 2009-2010.
The question at this point is: which jersey is he going to be wearing when training camp kicks off in September?
After setting goals like being an All Star, averaging "20 and 10," winning the MVP award and a plethora of other individual accolades, it seems fitting that Bosh is set to make a huge impact on the court with his free agency one year away.
We might see him follow through on his goal to add weight, something he's been attempting to do for six years now.ย He might exhibitย defensive intensity and effort. We might even see him play over 70 games.
The source of his motivation is clearly up to individual opinion. One might say that being called out by Shaquille O'Neal, Zach Randolph, and most recently by Amare Stoudemire may have lit a fire of sorts under Bosh.
However, oneย couldn't help but stand in aweย at theย Raptors' last season gameย as Bosh went on a rebounding rampage in order to average 10 rebounds on the season, weeks after the Raptors had already beenย eliminated fromย playoff contention.
One may say that missing the playoffs for the first time in three seasons may have inspired Bosh, especially after seeing Team USA teammatesย Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard playing in the finals.
Perhaps the best explanation is the same one used to explain past quotes from Bosh. It's hardly a secret that Bosh has beenย extremely dedicated toย getting his face out there, from hisย many videos, his All-Star campaign, to his recent Iphone application.
Perhaps the true motivation is having to hear from numerous individuals that he isn't worth the maximum contract he's looking for, or that he'll only serve the purpose of being Robin to LeBron's or Wade's Batman should he leave Toronto.
One has to wonder if Bosh only gave the Raptors the same defensive effort he gave to his national team, if they'd have been a lottery team through four of hisย six seasons as a Raptor.
The latest talk of Bosh attempting to gain almost 20 pounds is bittersweet if you're Bryan Colangelo and the Raptors organization. On one hand, your best player has finally decided to putย some much overdue time in the gym.ย
On the other hand, he's doing so on the verge of what is likely to be the biggest payday of his life.
Bosh will have a breakout season barring any serious injuries, and the Raptors may even win a round or two in the playoffs.
If Bosh is asย driven by fame and moneyย as I've figured him to be for the past three seasons, I'm absolutely counting on it.
