Chris Bosh wants your vote
Thursday, January 10, 2008 | 06:56 PM ET
Vote for Chris Bosh for the NBA All-Star Game.
The Toronto Raptors forward is campaigning with the vigour of Barack Obama. Well, not really, but he does have an ingenious and hilarious homemade video.
He made it over the Christmas break, a spur of the moment idea. He wrote the script, he used his own video camera, it’s shot in his own yard and his younger brother makes a scene-stealing cameo as “Bubba.”
Bosh is about a million votes behind the two leading contenders - Kevin Garnett and LeBron James - so his chances of being voted to the starting line-up are not terrific (although he will likely be a coach’s selection anyway).
But here’s why I think you should vote for Chris Bosh:
He’s as talented as any of the other players, so for me performance is not the key issue.
What I like about Bosh is he’s one of the good guys. He’s not all caught up in his status as a pro athlete. In fact, he says if he had his druthers, he’d be working in some kind of internet or computer-related business. He loves his laptop, he says it’s always on, and he’s very involved in his own website, unlike many athletes and celebrities who let their “people” take care of that.
Bosh is not afraid to step outside his comfort zone. In the video, he puts on a comic southern accent, and assumes the persona of a slick-talking car salesman. He wants people to know he’s not a two-dimensional person or a dumb jock with no personality. When I suggested to him that he’s now an “actor”, he joked that he wants to show his “range.”
I spoke with him a couple of days ago in an interview that will air this weekend on The Inside Track, and he was very gracious with his time - even though it was one of three times each season when the players are faced with a roomful of memorabilia for them to sign. It was surreal. Bosh was facing table after table piled high with basketballs and jerseys, awaiting his autograph, so they could be whisked off for various charity auctions and other promotional venues. I’m surprised his hand didn’t cramp up.
Okay, he makes millions of dollars for throwing a ball through a hoop, so what’s a few autographs? I’ll give you that, but I was impressed nonetheless.
He’s very community minded. He sponsors a book club for children and has his own charitable foundation.
And finally, Chris Bosh is creative. The Vote-For-Me video wasn’t the work of a huge PR firm with the intent of raising Bosh’s market value to potential sponsors. This was a lark, a bit of fun in the world of pro sport that often takes itself way too seriously.
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About the Author
Robin Brown is an award-winning journalist and host of The Inside Track on CBC Radio One. During her 17 years in sports journalism, she has interviewed some of the biggest names in Canadian sport, from Wayne Gretzky and Ben Johnson, to Cindy Klassen and Perdita Felicien, and has reported from the past six Olympic Games.
Robin's debut as a sports reporter for CBC Radio took place in 1990 in Winnipeg, where she immediately became headline news when the Blue Bombers barred her from the dressing room because of her gender.
Brown has won awards from the New York Festivals and Radio-Television News Directors Association, to name a few, and has appeared as guest host of such CBC Radio programs as The World at Six and As It Happens.
Listeners can catch Robin on The Inside Track Sundays at 1:30 p.m. (2:00 NT, 4:30 PT) on CBC Radio One and on Saturday on Sirius Satellite Radio channel 137 at 6:30 p.m. ET.
The Inside Track is now available as a podcast. To download or subscribe to the podcast, please visit: http://www.cbc.ca/podcasting/.
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Comments
andy
toronto
since Bosh is in the all-star, then James and Wade should also play
Posted February 4, 2008 05:45 PM
Jason
Halifax
Remember; Success has it's ups and downs. Let's just hope the downs aren't as bad as compared to VC's huge ego.
Good job Bosh, you deserved it.
Posted February 4, 2008 01:35 PM
MiltonThompson
Chris Bosh should recieve a spot on the starting line up. Chris has played a consistent game and when needed Chris has stepped up and rallied the Raptors to make a commanding statement that the Raptors are a "team" to contend with.
Chris has mastered the double team and is shooting a high percentage from the field,Chris gets to the free throw line and makes his shots; overall Chris has matured and established himself as role player for the Raptors, the Toronto and NBA fans.
Chris is a star on the rise and I would definately see Chris making a commanding contribution to the starting line up.
Blessings Chris, you deserve it.
Posted January 29, 2008 12:07 PM
magdy nashed
kingston,ont
BOSH IS A VERY GOOD PROSPECT FOR TORONTO RAPTOR TEAM. HE IS FAIRLY YOUNG AND IS GETTING BETTER EVERY YEAR.HE WILL HOIST THE TEAM TO THE FIRST NBA CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE FUTURE. HE DESERVE TO BE IN ALL STAR GAME.
Posted January 23, 2008 11:48 PM
Jason
Halifax
I agree with most. Bosh is indeed a great role model for many of the canadian youth. But, may I ask everyone this one question; how long is it going to last? How long is Mr. Bosh going to keep his goody two-shoes gimmick up. Don't get me wrong or anything, I beleive he is an amazing athlete, butwhat happens when his ego gets the best of him? It's just like any typical rookie. Sorry people, but I don't buy Chris's positive attitude.
Posted January 16, 2008 11:30 AM
A. Fleming
One of the most likeable and gifted athletes to grace the Toronto sports scene. What's more, he appears humble, talented in areas other than sport, and is involved in the community too. Could you really ask for a better role model for our youth?
Posted January 13, 2008 05:40 PM
Eric E.
The other side of Bosh. Great player, great personality , and still in the beginning of his career.
Posted January 13, 2008 04:05 PM
Bob Arnold
I listened to Robin Browns interview with Chris Bosch. How refreshing it is to hear a proffessional athelete already making a lot of bucks, that can speak with enthusiasm about somthing other than their sports car, or their custom SUV sporting the largest chrome wheels ever made and while doing so articulate their excitement with a "speak" that requires a translator.
Chris has his head on very straight and will be successful beyond basketball. Well done Robin!
Posted January 13, 2008 02:23 PM
afzal
toronto
you should be in the all star game for sure i vote for you
Posted January 13, 2008 11:14 AM
David K
Bosh is a good thing for Canada's team.
With Vince Carter at the top of our team, he seemed to personify everything the outside-of-Toronto-folk thought of us - too much ego, a me-first attitude and a whole lot of crying whenever things didn't go our way.
Now with Bosh, we are a strong, unified team, led by one of the top 5 fowards in the game. We now feel as though everyone who is involved, is actually involved.
Get behind your team Canada, because now with the CBC showing games, there's no excuse to not cheer on our nation's representation in the world's best basketball league. The good old NBA.
Let's Go Raptors!
Posted January 13, 2008 05:27 AM
Tony Mikulandra
Toronto
Saw the video, pretty funny. Bosh is definitely one of the good guys. Great to have him playing in Toronto and he genuinely looks to be committed 100% to the Raptors and Toronto. Also I'd bet the farm that he'll hoist an NBA championship title with Toronto at some point in his career.
Posted January 12, 2008 08:10 PM
Barry Hatt
Bosh is like a breath of fresh air. I loved the video. As was mentioned, he is one of the few Pro Athletes that has not let it go to his head.
Posted January 11, 2008 06:46 PM