Bosh Strides for All the Best

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Now that Vince Carter has pouted and sulked his way to temporary happiness in New Jersey, it won't be long until Chris Bosh is known as the best player on Canadian soil.

Five to six years from now, I think there's a good chance Bosh will be known as something else: the best player to come out of Dallas.

Granted, it's not as prestigious a title as All-Star or All-NBA. But Bosh has the talent to achieve those goals as well.

This isn't a bouquet tossed because Bosh and the Toronto Raptors are at American Airlines Center tonight to play the Mavericks. He has the game. He has the temperament. And he knows the player he must pass to be regarded as the best to come out of this area.

"Larry Johnson, he's a tough guy," Bosh said. "He will be a pretty tough guy to top.

"But I hope in the long run, when all is said and done, I'll be known as the best player out of Dallas."

He's off to a good start. Bosh is a more accomplished player at a younger age than Johnson was. Or Kenyon Martin. Or Kurt Thomas, the player he works out with during the summer in Dallas.

Bosh averages 16.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and shoots 47.7 percent from the field. The Lincoln graduate is a stronger player than he was as a rookie and much more aggressive in the low post. Instead of trying to fake his defender to get the advantage, he now powers to the basket. Bosh already has attempted 394 free throws this season to rank 15th in the league.

"Coach [Sam] Mitchell sat me down and told me to make one quick move and just go by the guy," Bosh said. "Read how their movement is and go to where they're vulnerable. So far, it's worked real well for me." </div> Source