Let's put the Chris Bosh leaving Toronto in 2010 to bed for now as it will inevitably resurface as the February 19 trade deadline inches closer.
In chatting with Bosh's Chicago-based agent Henry Thomas, who also represents Dwayne Wade and Anthony Parker, he had this to say in response to the report of a conversation between Bosh and Raptors president and GM Bryan Colangelo.
"There is no truth to it (the reported conversation) and way too premature to be talking about 2010," said Thomas in phone conversation from Chicago. "I can't stop the media from speculating and I told Chris that this is going to happen.
"Right now Chris' focus is on winning as many games and possible and helping the Toronto Raptors get into the playoffs," remarked Thomas. "We will focus on it (the 2010 situation) at the appropriate time."
Thomas added, "It's Cleveland tonight so something else will be written." He said that there was no conversation between himself and Raptor brass, either. He does not know who the alleged source is and doesn't expect he would be told if he asked.
The Raptors tough stretch does indeed continue on Tuesday night in Cleveland and with the recent firestorm around the Bosh might be leaving scenario, I look for Bosh to come out and try to make a statement by playing well.
But it is Cleveland against Toronto so there has to be another record being set, right?
In the past the Cavs have watched James put up a career high of 56 points against the Raptors; Zydrunas Ilgauskas became the club's all-time leading rebounder passing Brad Daugherty on December 9, 2008, against Toronto; and in the same game, you guessed it, another record was established as James set the Cavaliers all-time steals mark passing Mark Price. So what's the record du jour? Cleveland, which is undefeated at home, with no team coming within four points, will try to make it a perfect 23 in a row surpassing the Rochester Royals who won 22 games in that fashion back in 1949-50.
But it might also be the night that the Cavs slip a bit in looking ahead to the next home game against the Lakers. We shall see. If Toronto is going to turn things around they need to be disciplined and start by doing little things right. The Raptors must also play with energy; the team has great starts but can't sustain its energy or maintain their focus. Only Cleveland and Boston have a better first quarter winning percentage than Toronto. But the Raptors seem to be unable to sustain the effort as they continue to flounder in the second quarter placing 28th in winning percentage, ahead of only New Jersey and Sacramento. The Cavaliers are one of the top teams in the league in points off turnovers, fifth, behind only the Lakers, Milwaukee, Boston, and Utah so protecting the ball is a must for the Raptors.
Don't be surprised to see some zone on Tuesday from Toronto as the Sacramento Kings played Cleveland close by using its zone defense extensively in a 117-110 loss on January 27. With the recent losing streak, nothing is sacred and it would not be a shock to see different line up combinations particularly if the zone is employed. It's all about trying to contain King James but that becomes a tough task as he is an exceptional passer when he sees the double team most nights over the course of his career. With his size, strength, and vision he makes opponents pay with his unselfish attitude by simply making the right pass.
But that doesn't mean that James can't beat you himself. Check out these numbers: Against Toronto for his career (19 games total) he is averaging 28.2 points per game, 7.4 rebounds per game and 6.9 assists. James is also the NBA leader in 'and one' attempts (not necessarily converting the free throw after scoring and being fouled but going to the line for the free throw in those situations more than anyone in the NBA). He is also the leader in fourth quarter scoring, is second in the NBA in individual fast break points and is fourth in the NBA in individual points in the paint and fifth in the NBA in dunks. For the first time in history, he is getting consistent help from his teammates.
Sitting courtside prior to the game Sunday in Toronto, Orlando GM Otis Smith said that the front office had given point guard Jameer Nelson more "room to develop" by allowing both Keyon Dooling and Carlos Arroyo to walk away last summer. Nelson has taken on a leadership role and it paid off with an all-star selection. Smith did say that you "hold your breath" and hope he stays healthy with 34-year-old veteran Anthony Johnson acting as the primary back up. That being said, you have to feel badly for Nelson after Monday night's game when he suffered a dislocated right shoulder and a subsequent MRI revealed a torn labrum that may cause Nelson to miss the rest of the season.
So who replaces him in the all-star lineup? Mo Williams gets my vote. While some will say he has good numbers because he is playing with LeBron James, don't under estimated the difference Williams has made in the Cavs line up contributing to their winning season.
They continue to search for answers in the desert. It is being reported that on the last trip east, Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver flew east to chat with the staff and the team captains. Suns' head trainer Aaron Nelson is huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan and a couple of weeks ago at the Air Canada Centre when the Suns were there to play the Raptors, assistant coach Alvin Gentry joked that Nelson was probably wearing a Steelers t-shirt under his clothes as they were about to battle the Baltimore Ravens for their spot in the Super Bowl. Well it turns out that the Suns recent losing streak cost Nelson a trip to see the big game as a reward from Shaquille O'Neal for keeping the "Big Diesel" on the road.
