Yesterday, it was announced that Bosh entered into an agreement with Warner Music Canada to produce a unique DVD and CD to be released this fall.
In addition, Bosh has become the first athlete to launch his own application for iPhone and iPod touch on the Apple App Store.
Basketball-wise, Bosh’s latest foray into the business world and his ground-breaking initiative will have no impact on his decision to stay in Toronto, which will be in a position to offer its all-star a contract extension by as early as next month.
What it does reveal is the side of Bosh no one, especially those residing south of the border who cover all things basketball, seems to fully comprehend, or at least want to acknowledge: In today’s sporting culture, Chris Bosh is a unique athlete, who isn’t afraid to push the envelope.
Bosh won’t be pressured into doing anything he doesn’t feel comfortable doing.
The material on the as-yet-untitled DVD will be based on the characters Bosh has developed over the past two years in a series of video clips posted on the Internet, according to a news release. The CD will be a compilation of some of his favourite music, along with new recordings from emerging artists. Bosh is giving new, unsigned artists a chance to submit material for consideration through an interactive form at www.chris-bosh.com.
Alvin Williams played an integral part in the greatest success the Raptors have known and he wants the chance to help return the franchise to that level.
The iconic point guard – whose clutch deciding-game jumpshot clinched the only playoff series Toronto has ever won, a five-game set against the New York Knicks in 2000 – is in line to join Jay Triano’s staff as an assistant coach for skills development, bridging the Raptors’ past and future.
"It’s just a great opportunity," the 34-year-old Williams said in a telephone interview yesterday. "I just feel like I’ve been away from the game so long and I want to get back involved in NBA basketball."
It turns out Kapono was the Raptors first choice. They laid $24-million on him over four years, and there’s not doubt Colangelo regrets it.
In some ways this is the Raptors second major sin, and certainly the primary blunder of Colangelo’s since he joined the club in 2006.
Posey was heading to Boston – or at least a contender – regardless. So really it was choice between Barnes, Kapono and Pietrus. Barnes and Pietrus ended up with qualifying offers in Golden State. Kapono got paid. Barnes eventually found his way to the Suns, Pietrus finally got his mid-level deal this past summer from Orlando.
There was also word that came out that the Bulls, who are looking to add a scoring threat in the post, has Bosh high on the list. Toronto would not want the first rumored package of Tyrus Thomas and Kirk Hinrich, but prefer having Loul Deng in the deal along with Hinrich and a draft pick. As the draft looms closer, many playoff teams assess whether to use their picks they have this year on a potential contributor, or package them along with a veteran for someone who can step in right now.
I haven’t seen a Raptor this busy with extracurricular activities since Vince Carter attended his useless graduation ceremony the day of game seven of the conference semi-finals. We all know how that worked out…
Thomas is going about most of this on his own. With no staff in place just yet, and his last real collegiate experience coming in 1981 when he left Indiana, the hoops legend is laying down the foundation with little assistance.
He feels like he has to, given how much he has to learn.
He feels like he wants to, given how much satisfaction he gets from getting a bit closer to the grass-roots level of the sport.
”It reminds me very much of the situation that I took over in Toronto, where you just roll up your sleeves,” Thomas said, referring to his days as head man of the expansion Raptors. “No job’s too big and no job’s too small. You’re just trying to get it done.
“You actually get a chance to get your hands dirty and make a difference in someone’s life.”
"This is exciting," Bosh said in a statement. "Teaming up with Warner to produce my very own CD and DVD, as well as being the first athlete with their very own iPhone and iPod touch application, are just two more ways for fans to get to know me off the court. Entertaining my fans through the use of technology allows me to continue to try and pioneer the digital space for athletes across the world!"
The Raptors will continue their pre-draft workouts this week with sessions at the ACC on both Thursday and Friday.
Word is that Jonny Flynn and Jeff Teague will be among the players in Toronto on Friday, while Thursday’s participants still have yet to be confirmed. Jrue Holiday may be one of those players, but we’ll see.
24 Raps
Whoopie always looks like she’s having fun.
re: “Bosh won’t be pressured into doing anything he doesn’t feel comfortable doing. That is why all the speculation surrounding his future is of no consequence because none of the rumours have any substance.
In most cases, it is fabrication at his finest, works of fiction that have no basis in fact. “ – Frank Zicarelli
Kudos to Frank for observing the situation accurately.
More from Frank from May 13th
http://www.torontosun.com/sports/basketball/2009/05/13/9441101-sun.html
“Teams that are competing for a title are athletic and tough.
Teams that harbour hopes of going far into the playoffs have players who can create their own shot in late-game situations.
The teams that excel at this time of the year defend and are deep.
They also have a legitimate franchise player.
The Raptors are so far away that Triano’s presence as a full-time head coach will have a minimal impact because the team has very few pieces that are playoff-calibre.
And for those who actually think that Chris Bosh is a franchise player, think again.
Bosh is a good guy who has been asked to shoulder a lot in Toronto, but he’s a complementary piece. He is not a go-to guy.
He is Pau Gasol, a very good player who put up very good numbers on a losing team in Memphis.
As soon as Gasol got traded and became a second option to Kobe Bryant, Gasol’s true value was confirmed.
Bosh needs to play on a team with an athletic wing capable of getting Bosh open looks.
The Raptors don’t have such a player, and the chances of the team acquiring one this off-season are slim to none because there so few are available.
A lot has been made of Bosh ending up in South Beach to play alongside Dwyane Wade and still more will be made when Bosh’s future in Hogtown resurfaces.
Talk of Bosh ending up in Miami makes a lot of sense.
What doesn’t make sense is for Bosh to stick around Toronto beyond what is contractually obligated.”
eastcoast,
Remove the following specific words from what Frank also wrote in the link that you’ve provided:
“They also have a legitimate franchise player …
And for those who actually think that Chris Bosh is a franchise player, think again.
Bosh is a good guy who has been asked to shoulder a lot in Toronto, but he’s a complementary piece. He is not a go-to guy.
He is Pau Gasol, a very good player who put up very good numbers on a losing team in Memphis.
As soon as Gasol got traded and became a second option to Kobe Bryant, Gasol’s true value was confirmed.”
and, I agree with the tone and content of this piece, as well.
so, if you remove his point, then you agree. uh, isn’t that basically saying that you disagree?
Wow at the poll results. It isn’t jsut here either, you get that sentiment form realgm, and if you go to Bosh’s facebook page it’s littered with fans bashing him and saying they want him to be traded.
Well, IF the team had made the playoffs and IF he committed to staying with the team I think he’d be getting alot more love from Raps fans than he’s getting right now.
I also really hate seeing fans bash/hate our best player. He’s been a class act since the day we drafted him – 6 seasons ago.
As a UFA, Bosh has every right to sign with any team he wants.
I can accept discussions about what we should do, strategically, with regards to Bosh. But criticizing his playing style (20-10 with no help) is pathetic – which unfortunate some Raps fans are.
IMO, Chris Bosh is nothing like Pau Gasol.
in what ways do they differ? other than, y’know, the fact that gasol, once put in a situation where he’s used appropriately (and the expectations are in line with his actual abilities), has helped the lakers reach the finals yet again, despite an overrated supporting cast.
I think it’s an apt comparison (not necessarily their skill set, but their ability to impact the game), and one that should help everyone realize what Bosh brings. There is not a single big man in the game today that can consistently win without very good to great wing help (in most cases, several perimeter players). Name me one. But people somehow expect Bosh to be that guy. It boggles the mind.
Ughhh….I feel the same way about Anti-Bosh extremists…They seem to take the mantra of “Big men win championships” very, very literally.
Big men do not win championships on their own, and basically have never won on their own. That’s why I think it would be great to keep Bosh, since he’s a solid big man that a franchise can be built off of. The biggest problem now is fianances. The Raptors ownership has never committed to spending money for the franchise, and will probably stay conservative like this for as long as the Raptors are profitable (and mediocre).
People draw comparisons to Pau Gasol and Chris Bosh’s abilities. How about their situations? The Grizzlies were never willing or able to get a great player to compliment Gasol, and as far as I remember, it’s mostly because the ownership didn’t want to go into luxury tax territory. Also, because Memphis is a dead town. If Gasol had gotten some high caliber help, the Grizzlies may have been a more relevant team, but ownership was content with what it had. The same can be said for Bosh in Toronto. Ownership is unwilling to take the plunge and go into the tax, so we’re left with a mediocre team. Not to mention the fact that we have a GM who signed Kapono to a 6 mill-a-year deal.
Basically, what I’m trying to say is that, if we were willing to spend money, we would have a much better team. The Raptors are a terrible team right now, not because of Bosh, but because we have no depth, have no financial flexibility to get the depth, and have an ownership unwilling to give some financial flexibility to get the depth.
+1
Without Bosh last season, the Raps would have mimicked the Grizzlies (who are formerly from Vancouver.)
Without Bosh in 2010-11, I think we might litterally mimic the Grizz’ on-court results for the last two years.
If we don’t trade Bosh this summer, I think BC will let him playout the season instead of trading him for the same value package the Grizz got of Gasol (which was less than what we got for VC). BC would let Bosh’s salary come off the cap, instead of trading him to a contender for added salary and low first round picks.
I really hope Boogie joins the team [for nostalgia reasons - who knows if he can bring anything other than fire/heart]… but is not the assistant that does the interviews at the half. Like watching a train wreck.
Spudz
http://www.altraps.com/forum
Well Pau Gasol has a great back to the basket game and post up game. he is an excellent passer from the paint and can pass out of a double team with ease.
Bosh is more of a Lamar Odom. High energy guy that comes of the bench with limited minutes and can put up alot of points fairly easily against weaker competition. He’s never proved he can compete against the leagues best players.
It would be in the the Raptors best interest to do a complete rebuild in my opinion. We just don’t have any pieces to compete with and we have no real athletes and our future is bleak.
Calderon is a backup. Lets just face facts guys. He was injured so often last season because he couldn’t handle extended minutes and was going up against the leagues best point guards. When he was TJ Fords backup he excelled at his role because he was playing limited minutes and playing other backup point guards. He’s already 28 and has no skill set to speak of other then walking the ball down the court and dumping it to Bosh for an easy assist. Defense is attrocious. He’s expendable.
Jay Triano is in over his head here, I’m sorry. He will not lead this team to a playoff run. He’s an assistant coach who is best suited to sit in the stands during games and not do anything else. Hire a real coach then we might have some credibility.
Bosh is a second or third option on a contending team. Period.
I have to disagree. Bosh is mismatch for many 4s and 5s he just to quick and he could hit the outside shot with ease. Bosh is our best rebounder and his help defence his much better than bargs. Overall Bosh would make a great robin to someone’s batman
The only team bosh would fit your description is with Team USA and Odom wouldn’t even get invite to try out for that team
what are you talking about!!?? bosh needs to come off the bench for high energy limited minutes!!?? do you even watch basketball??!!lamar odom??
bosh is a 20 10 guy with no players around him. there really arent any pf’s in the league much better than bosh so all this misguided hate for our best player is insane! the raptors have 1 bad year out of 3 because our gm made some bad off season moves and our best player gets blamed.
i dont love bosh but he deserves more than hes getting from you wangbone douchebags!! especially you cosa nostra
I’m stating my opinion buddy. Just ignore my comments and scroll down nextime.
Can’t wait for the chris bosh cd and DVD!!!!
Just kidding.
Of course I can.
Love him or hate him, does anyone actually think he is funny? Does anyone want to watch him walking around in Dallas? I was just in Dallas 5 days ago and I couldn’t have felt anymore bored/stranded.
I would make stupid fucking videos too if I was stuck in Dallas.
The real idiot is Warner Bros. What do they stand to gain?
At least I got paiiid.
Instead of posting his videos on YouTube for people to see for free, Warner is going to pay him so they can sell the same kind of videos for money since some people would rather buy or rent his DVD than log-on to his YouTube channel.
lol If I’m going to pay money to watch a video that I can see for free on the internet I’m going to get something of Michael Jordan or Muhammad Ali, you know, actual winners.Anyone who pays money on Bosh has issues.
People should stop doubting Bosh. . . True ballers know that it’s not bosh that is the problem on the team! Colangelo had no choice but to give calderon and extention as demand of the fans do have the last voice! He’s still good, but TJ ford gave Bosh that flexibility to operate of the defensive end as well. . . For example after guys break calderon down, bosh or bargs have to play help defence which leaves the big men open and in position for offensive rebounds and that’s not good especially if their breaking guys like anthony parker down. . . And it’s a wing dominating league. . . Raptors really arn’t that far off. . . I think Rocko will be better this year because he knows he’s on a tight leash and he must improve. . . Toronto should really use the cap space to not just buy a draft pick but move up. . . Imagine if toronto can pick up a guy like evans and derozan. . . Yeah theres a chance they might flop and turn into role players never the less they’ll be good complimentary players to bargs and bosh. . . It wont just make them more talented but atheletic as well. . . We gotta use Kaponno and Joey to move up as much as we can. . . Trading bosh for less value dosn’t make sense. . . Chicago has nobody good enough to offer even if they give 3 4 good players, im sorry but it’s hard to keep all those salaries plus a lot of them have not proven anything for years! Bosh is a top tier player and if we get a wing like i think we will. . . I can see toronto out running teams like cleveland, orlando, boston. . . You gotta realize all those teams are missing something and so are we this off season we can replenish that buy a wing player which is any teams main need!
nostra, why are you so sensitive?? is it because you know you’re wrong??