RAPTORS GM: BOSH QUIT ON THE TEAM

LeBron James took his share of criticism for his NBA playoff performance, and that only intensified after his high profile free agent move to Miami.  The most virulent attack came from the Cavs owner, Dan Gilbert, which brought about an admonishment from Rev. Jesse Jackson and a huge fine from NBA commissioner David Stern.  Now the Toronto Raptors’ management is taking its shots at LeBron’s new teammate, Chris Bosh.  His tone wasn’t quite as nasty as Gilbert’s but Toronto GM Bryan Colangelo has publically suggested that Bosh quit on the team during his final season as a Raptor.

Late in the season the Raptors were still in the playoff hunt, but were eventually edged out for the 8th and final spot by the Chicago Bulls.  In a sports radio interview, Colangelo called out Bosh for his commitment to the team:

"Despite limited swelling and any excessive damage on an MRI, he felt like he needed to sit for six more games.”

"I'm not even questioning Chris' injury. I'm telling you he was cleared to play subject to tolerance on his part, and the tolerance just apparently wasn't there and he chose not to play."

He continued by questioning Bosh’s focus:

"Whether he was mentally checked out or just wasn't quite into it down the stretch, he wasn't the same guy. I think everybody saw that, but no one wanted to acknowledge it."

"We tried in vain to put pieces around Chris. Different pieces, different styles. It didn't work out. No matter what type of player we brought in, it didn't seem to have the right mix with him as that centerpiece."

Colangelo also indicated that the team was banking on Bosh’s return to action down the stretch, and were stunned when he didn’t seem interested in expediting his return to the lineup.  He further suggested that the team had been interested in retaining his services after he became a free agent, but that he wasn’t sure if Bosh ever considered a return to Toronto as an option.

Bosh and LeBron James ended up in Miami to join Dwayne Wade, and the team has since become the NBA betting favorite to dethrone the LA Lakers as NBA champions.  Neither Bosh nor his agent immediately responded to Colangelo’s statement.