Sorry it's been a while, but I've been extremely busy. That's the truth. But maybe I've been stupid all this time and should make it a point to use my very own website much, much more. If for no other reason than just to address the nonsense that's been disseminated to the masses over the past 24 hours -- regarding Chris Bosh, the Toronto Raptors and my assertion that everyone should keep their eyes on him regarding any potential trades in the future.
In case anyone didn't comprehend what I reported first on ESPNews Sunday morning, then SportsCenter Monday night, let me be clear: My sources tell me Chris Bosh wants out of Toronto. Preferably before 2010, when he's free to opt out of his contract. They've also informed me Bosh has quietly made the Raptors aware of this, that he wouldn't mind interest from Miami or Dallas, at all, and that he's hopeful his days as a Raptor will come to an end sooner than when the LeBron James' Sweepstakes hits the fan in 2010.
Essentially, these things qualify as one of the worse-kept secrets in the NBA.
Both Bosh and Raptors' President, Bryan Colangelo have emphatically denied Bosh has made the Raptors aware of anything. Feel free to believe them if you want to. And while you're at it, feel free to to conveniently forget that Damon Stoudamire, Marcus Camby, Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter all echoed similar sentiments before they skipped town, too.
It doesn't change the reality.
The Raptors are 19-30 at the time I'm writing this. They're the second-worse team in the Eastern Conference. Speedster point guard, T.J. Ford is gone. Supposedly, they were suppose to run better with Jose Calderon and that hasn't happened. And that's not even touching on the flagrant acrimony that's witnessed by observers some nights, along with the fact that, thus far, the Jermaine O'Neal trade just hasn't worked out. Combine all of those realities with Bosh' star status and the fact it's not about to generate the sort of marketing buzz he covets as he looks towards a prosperous career, and I really don't get what all the fuss is about!
The kid is class personified. So much so I actually felt bad and apologized to him face-to-face during the NBA Finals in Boston when he took offense to my joke -- that he was "Manute Bol with dreads!" from weeks earlier.
Bosh thought I was talking about his game when I was only talking about the fact that he was skinny. But being the sensitive lad he is, I felt the need to apologize.
This is different, though. I don't make up stories. Never have in my professional career. Never will. I heard what I heard. I wasn't even the first to report it, but I mentioned his desire to leave Toronto, nevertheless.
One can only surmise that having the city of Toronto upset at him -- BEFORE HE LEAVES -- has him in denial mode. I don't blame him, nor Colangelo, one bit. Let them say what they will, but it still doesn't make my report false.
Any doubts? Let's see where Bosh will be in 2010, if not sooner. I guarantee no one is willing to definitively say Bosh will be in Toronto. Not even Bosh, himself.
I'll leave it at that and be nice. For now.
So long as no one pushes me.
thats bullshit stephen smith! you're the biggest ASSHOLE in sports industry! get a new job my friend! go work as a janitor!
Posted by: rapsfan | February 03, 2009 at 07:16 PM
thats bullshit stephen smith! you're the biggest ASSHOLE in sports industry! get a new job my friend! go work as a janitor!
Posted by: rapsfan | February 03, 2009 at 07:20 PM
Stephen A Smith, Who do you think you are?
What gives you the right to say that CB4 wants out of Toronto? Have you even spoken to him? have you spoke to Mr. Colangelo? I recently read your wikipedia page and is says "Stephen Abe Smith (born October 14, 1967) is a sportswriter and media personality from Hollis, Queens in New York City. He is known for creating unsubstantiated rumors involving professional athletes, in order to create publicity for himself." Looks like you are a chronic LIAR! Why should we believe anything you say? What if i went on tv and said that my "reliable sources" said that Stephen A Smith is gay. How would that make you feel? You know it's not true, yet someone is spreading untrue rumors about you. You are destroying teams, players, organizations,families, fans and sports. You are a greedy person who does not care about anything or anyone but himself. I seriously hope you lose your job. You are arguably, the stupidest person in the world. Thank you for your time.
P.S if you don't respond to this comment, i will take it as you know that your wrong about Bosh, and that you lie about everything you say about sports. I will also think that you are a VERY unreliable source for information.
Peace Out, BBall Insider
Posted by: Basketball insider | February 03, 2009 at 08:15 PM
Stephen A
go head and keep reporting the truth!! forget the haters - people are simply just
angry with the truth - the raptors are pathetic right now. they have no leadership or coaching strength - the players
give NO EFFORT night after night - people just think: why the
hell WOULD Bosh want to stay????? i sure as hell would 'quietly' want out also
Posted by: dj456 | February 03, 2009 at 08:26 PM
Stephen A
go head and keep reporting the truth!! forget the haters - people are simply just
angry with the truth - the raptors are pathetic right now. they have no leadership or coaching strength - the players
give NO EFFORT night after night - people just think: why the
hell WOULD Bosh want to stay????? i sure as hell would 'quietly' want out also
Posted by: dj456 | February 03, 2009 at 08:33 PM
Mr. Smith:
I am sure you've already taken a lot of heat for your Chris Bosh comments, but I don't think you understand why. It's not strictly because of your comments, but because they come from YOU.
What's wrong with you, you ask? Let's start with your arrogant, pompous and cocksure demeanor, including your 'raised eyebrows, with eyes half closed' look (http://tinyurl.com/arohxm), usually used by big mouthed egomaniacs who talk a lot, but don't say a damn thing....
Then there's the annoying way in which you speak, which alternates between a staccato, machine gun-like spit and a slow, deliberate emphasis of random words that aren't important, but you just love the sound of your own voice, so why not, right...?
Also, your diction is horrible, frequently making you sound like an 16 year-old hip hop MC who failed Grade 9 English. You are a professional, stop speaking like a ghetto youth who's trying to steal lunch money at recess.
It is because of these factors that you are NEVER taken seriously and will continue to be laughed at every time you open your mouth. For example, remember when you appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher a few years ago and embarrassed yourself so badly that the entire audience was laughing at you?? Get used to that, Mr. Smith, because that's what the world thinks of you.
...And don't even get me started on your house nigga political opinions... You're like a flat girl in a room full of women with D-cups, screaming "why won't anyone look at me??"
Posted by: spectre | February 03, 2009 at 09:55 PM
" And while you're at it, feel free to to conveniently forget that Damon Stoudamire, Marcus Camby, Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter all echoed similar sentiments before they skipped town, too."
If you're going to make a comment about this, at least try to get at least 50% right.
Damon Stoudamire was traded because he was Isiah's guy and Isiah was forced out.
Camby was traded for Charles Oakley, and actually didn't want to be traded.
McGrady did leave via free agency.
Carter re-signed when most US journalists said he wouldn't, but after watching the team spiral into nothing, decided to bail and was traded.
Is this a good indication of your veracity? Let's not let the truth get in the way of a good story, shall we?
Posted by: Tim W. | February 03, 2009 at 10:33 PM
I can not believe i actually respected you, and thought something of you for that matter. i am currently studying to be a journalist and it becuse of guy's like you and people like you that ... ummmmm i can not even find the words to write to describe what i think of your ass right know..
you piece of shit!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Isaac | February 04, 2009 at 04:58 AM
The worst thing about all this is the more this guy get hated on, the more TV stations looking for ratings will want him on their shows.
Saying things in a loud obnoxious voice doesn't make them reality.
He's the unintentional comic relief of ESPN reporters.
Posted by: hendo | February 04, 2009 at 07:54 PM
Don't push me?? Wow you really are an entertainer not a reporter aren't you? All I can say is that you just really made your old school Winston-Salem State University look pathetic. If I was faculty there, I'd be downright embarrassed. I doubt you even took journalism but if you did then they definately never taught you anything about having 2 solid sources before "REPORTING" something. Unfortunately, the Stephen. A. Smith alarm you keep in your pocket which vibrates, indicated to you that it was time to go on ESPN and "entertain" some horse shit so because you need the attention as if your life depended on it. You should resign if they don't fire you first. WHAT A JOKE!
Posted by: Tim I. | February 05, 2009 at 01:38 AM
P.S. you just PUSHED ME! Your face makes me sick.. I'd love to send my fist in its direction
Posted by: Tim I. | February 05, 2009 at 01:40 AM
Steven, keep up the good work, anyone who thinks you don't know basketball are crazy! You were right on about Bosh, there is no way he is staying in toronto past 2010. If they were smart they would trade him To Chicago for Tyrus Thomas and Chicago's (2) first round draft picks this year, and thier first round pick next year. "great trade for both"
Posted by: steve | June 04, 2009 at 08:49 AM