CB4 should remain in Toronto because he has a deep, young core of talented players around him that will keep getting better, because this is the only team where he will always be "the man", because he will form an epic legacy in Canadian basketball (as the truest franchise player we ever had, who was always committed to the team and city) and because we have arguably the top GM in the game in Bryan Colangelo.

Why Chris Bosh should stay in Toronto?

Chris Bosh is one of the if not THE BEST power forward in the league right now. He is such an important piece in the raptors structure. Imagine building a house without a foundation, its the same thing when it comes to building the raptors without Chris Bosh. I know most people will argue that was the same case when it came to Vince Carter, but let me explain why this is different. Vince didn't have the heart and passion the Chris Bosh has, also Vince wasn't a leader. Chris leads the raptors on to the floor like a general. Without a leader this team will become lost again.

Second a long with the importance of Chris for the team, he is also very important for the country not just the city. We are Canada's basketball team. Chris Bosh has taken this fading team and brought them back in to the spotlight. For the first time I feel the Raptors are getting as much attention as the hockey teams around the country. For that reason alone he should stay, he is the face of basketball in Canada. (no it isn't Steve Nash, he doesn't play for a canadian team nor does he play for the national team.)

Anyways I hope my comment deserves the tickets. I want to thank you for the contest its a great gesture especially for people who cannot afford to go to basketball games at the moment.

My email is salman underscore nabi at hotmail dot com

Why should Bosh stay? WHY? I have this pair of purple pajamas. Raptor pajamas. As time has gone by, as they were getting old and crinkly and ragged, I thought, "It's time to let them go. It's time to throw them away." But dammit, they are SO comfortable. So soft (like the Raptors defense). I seemed to want to discard them as many times as I wanted to give up on the Raptors, after the heartbreaking game 7 loss to Philly (where I watched IN a hostile Philly bar), after we lost a young Tmac to Orlando, after Vince Carter turned off his heart and stole ours, after we drafted Araujo over Iguodala, after Paul Pierce dunked on Bosh earlier this season and stood above him — I've wanted to give up on these guys so many times, but I never had the heart to do it. Never had the heart to turn away from the NBA team that finally came to Canada after so many years of cheering for U.S. teams. And why dont I think Bosh will leave? Because he's one of us. He's humble. He works damn hard. He is friendly, a little geeky, a bit of an underdog, just like Toronto. I think he identifies with this city on a level he doesn't fully understand. I think he belongs here.

Ben

cnwcommish at gmail dot com

I think bosh should remain a Raptor because he has grown as player here. This is where he had his sucesses as a Raptor. He became an all-star for the firts time as a Raptor and also made the playoffs for teh first time as a Raptors. The team has gone through its struggles with Bosh here, and when the team is improving and ready to make a run the next few years,the joy of that will be felt more for Bosh since he has seen the struggles of this franchise. The Raptors also give him the opportunity to be the franchise player on the team. This is the type of opportunity that he will not get anywhere else, and he has mentioned that being the man means a lot to him. If he signs else where as a free agent he might not get that opportunity. Bosh has built a fundation for his career in Toronto, which is the reason he should stay as a Raptor.

Because he started here and he can be a franchise player that plays his entire career for one team. Because you don't say no to a city with a fan base like ours. And most of all, because you don't leave a job until it's finished.

Chris Bosh should stay if he wants to stay.

Sounds fairly simple, but the team has options if he doesn't want to stay so I never understand the reason people panic. From what I understand, he loves the city and the fans. He seems the nostalgic sort to prefer growing with the "ups and downs" of becoming a title contender (versus the "rent-a-player"/free agent route). There's lots to love about Toronto. Fans shouldn't be so insecure when a player doesn't see themselves as a good fit for the team and city. Bosh has given no indication that he desires to leave and given his commitment to the team every single night, we should let him play his season out without bugging him. If he decides to stay, then he should be paid fairly. He is a max-level player and I fully expect to see him back with the Raps for many seasons to come.

I just hope to be lucky enough to see him play on Wednesday night!!

I honestly believe that Toronto is as good for Chris Bosh as Chris Bosh is for Toronto. From a basketball standpoint, you have a GM is who willing to take risks and make moves to better the team. As has been consistently proven, Bryan Colangelo will not stand still and watch as his team struggles. His drive to compete is stronger than any other GM in the league. Ownership has historically been quite willing to spend money as well (despite what people may think for either the Leafs or the Raptors, history shows money is not a stopping point). Beyond basketball, Canada gives Chris Bosh an opportunity to become an athletic and cultural icon. We have the entire population of a very diverse country looking at him and idolizing him. If he goes to New York or Miami to become a second banana, he will largely be forgotten about. Who's gonna vote for all his silly youtube videos then, huh?

Chris Bosh should remain a Raptor because he won't find a better system, a better city, and better fans that will support the hard work and dedication he has given, not only to this city, but the country. With the Raptors being the only NBA team in Canada, the team has become much more than the cities team but the countries team. The team has developed the chemistry and pride to compete for recognition in the league. He has the respect of the GM and players that he is the player to lead Toronto to the upper echelon of the league. Colangelo has proven that he is willing to work hard and provide the supporting cast a star like him not only needs but deserves. Plus things get a lot easier when you have you college friend and teammate running the show and passing you the ball. He's developed a comfort level that can't be matched, and since theres no chance of him playing for Dallas, this can be his home away from home. The Raptors have been finally shedding light into the American dominated NBA and are starting to get the recognition they deserve. He has been a great influence on the city, and has always respected the team. He never talks about playing for other players and other teams unlike other superstars (LeBron) and will always continue to have the support of us fans. Chris Bosh is the face of this franchise, and in my opinion the best one at that. I can't imagine any athlete not wanting to end his playing days where they started. Toronto drafted him and it would be great to see him retired a Raptor so that one day we will have number 4 up in our rafters not for a player who came from the city but from a player who defined the city in terms of basketball. He should stay with the Toronto Raptors because this is his team, we are his fans, and we all have the goal of ultimately bringing the NBA championship to Toronto.

There are many reasons why Chris Bosh should remain in Toronto.
The one I will start with is finances. Whether people in the United States know or not, Toronto is a prime business market. Not only is it top 5 in North America but at the same time top 25 in the world. Sure it may be difficult for Bosh to get Nike or Sprite to throw millions at him in Toronto but there is a lot of room for investment. Look at Vince Carter for example, until today he still has investments locked up here in Toronto and always spoke highly of the economy. Add to this that the Raptors are already #11 in the NBA in revenue in only 15 years also after a losing season, the ACC is the second richest stadium in the NBA with their new renovations and that MLSE as a whole brings in a billion dollars of revenue a year, there will always be room for financial gain for Bosh.

Another reason is the GM and President Bryan Colangelo. People can agree or disagree with his moves over the year, but one thing you can support is that he makes them. Teams in all sports usually settle for mediocrity, playoff teams do not make big changes until they are on the cusp of a championship. Bryan feels differently, if he does not see the team winning a championship in the near future he will make a move or two. As a player one has to appreciate that in his GM. The GM and the organization made it clear that Bosh is the man here in Toronto, allowing him to play a role in the decision making process when it comes to many different aspects of team management.

Finally, bringing the Raptors to the promise land will allow him to leave behind a legacy. Bosh is being rumored to be going to play with DWade or Lebron, what part of Chris Bosh’s demeanor makes you think he wants to play second fiddle? He is a great teammate and willing to play as a team, but you can see it in the way he approaches the game that he wants to be a leader in the NBA. Toronto gives him that opportunity, not only does he lead a team, a city, a province, but a whole country. Canada will stand behind the Toronto Raptors and Chris Bosh. The fans were standing by the Raptors and Bosh when they were winning 30 games a season and will continue to stand by this team.

Add to all this that he will be getting approximately $30 Million more by signing with the Raptors there is no reason for Bosh to even think about leaving. Toronto is the place for Chris Bosh to be!

Most pro athletes care about three things and to varying degrees: making money, winning, and being happy. Chris Bosh can do all of those things if he stays in Toronto.

1. Money: The Raptors can offer Bosh $30 million more than any other team in the NBA and contrary to what people in the States want you to believe, he's not going to make that up in endorsements by going to a "larger market NBA team". That extra year of stability and the boatload of money is hard to ignore, especially when there's a new labour agreement about to be negotiated that would probably give the players a smaller slice of the pie. It'd be smart of him (and the other free agents) to get as much as they can NOW before uncertain terms take over in 2011.

2. Winning: Toronto hasn't won a playoff series in Bosh's seven years but that could end this season. I think he's come into the year pretty much thinking that a playoff series win would show enough progress to warrant staying. Every player cares about money but they want to win and become icons like the players they wanted as kids. We have a solid nucleus now with Andrea Bargnani developing into a guy worthy of being the #1 pick in the draft. Then for the first time in YEARS, the Raps have a crop of young talent to look forward to with DeMar DeRozan, Sonny Weems and Amir Johnson. The future in Toronto is very bright and Bosh has always spoken about trying to build something up from nothing rather than walk into a favourable situation. Maybe that'll change in the next few months but he has a chance to win games here – we're just one big piece away.

3. Being Happy: Money and winning both lead to being happy. Bosh has teammates here he's played with for years (namely Jose and Andrea). He has arguably his best friend here for at least the next three seasons (Jarrett Jack). The team is winning at a torrid pace since the meeting in December. He's become more comfortable and happy in the city within the past few months and has laid down some roots in the community. He's spoken of wanting to be the main man in a situation and not really wanting to play second fiddle to another guy (ie. LeBron James or Dwyane Wade). At the end of the day, being happy is something he could weigh heavily and there's no reason why he couldn't have it here.

Despite what the American media keeps spouting off, there are more reasons for CB4 to stay in Toronto than there are for him to leave and I think he'll have even more reasons not to leave in the next few months when the Raps make their playoff push. From a (biased) fan's perspective, the decision seems like an easy one.