Ball Don't Lie - NBA

Ball Don't Lie

Fri Jul 03, 2009 11:15 am EDT

The Spanish press love Chris Bosh's personality

By J.E. Skeets

Raptors point guard Jose Calderon is spending his summer in Spain teaching young basketball players and getting his body healthy. That was enough to attract fellow dinosaur Chris Bosh(notes) for a three-day visit; one which, according to BDL reader Andreas, the biggest Spanish sports newspaper, Marca, loved. Andreas breaks it down for us gringos:

Bosh seems to have been an instant success, and they are raving about him in the Spanish media (and believe me, they are normally not as kind as the US media).

The headline calls Chris Bosh an 'anti-diva,' and they are amazed that he makes as much money as Ronaldo (Real Madrid’s newest signing) yet still has a very different, to put it mildly, attitude towards himself and others.

They go on to talk about how he did everything with a smile, no matter how long the autograph signing sessions took. He joked around with the children and even said a few words in Spanish and so on. This may seem like normal behavior, but European sports fans are not used to it.

You know, that "NBA Cares" movement can feel ridiculous and staged at times (Jimmy Jackson, NBA legend), but you have to hand it to Commissioner Stern — the PR effect of having players come out in this fashion, especially when compared to the antics of some soccer stars and their egos, cannot be overstated.

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51 Comments

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  1. HMC
    1. Posted by HMC Fri Jul 03, 2009 11:25 am EDT

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    Wonderful!
  2. HMC
    2. Posted by HMC Fri Jul 03, 2009 11:26 am EDT

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    ~ Is that the type of PR the NBA should be hoping for?
  3. J.E. Skeets
    3. Posted by J.E. Skeets Fri Jul 03, 2009 12:17 pm EDT

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    "Has a ton of potential"? He's a 20-10-ish All-Star, Dream Team forward.
  4. Anton
    4. Posted by Anton Fri Jul 03, 2009 12:57 pm EDT

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    Man, I hope Bosh gets a title before he retires. I would say come to Dallas or Houston, but one chokes, the other dies out come playoff time. Bosh would be a GREAT replacement for Duncan when he retires though.
  5. tim
    5. Posted by tim Fri Jul 03, 2009 1:15 pm EDT

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    i was one of those that Chris Bosh denied to get a picture or autograph
  6. Hitman
    6. Posted by Hitman Fri Jul 03, 2009 3:03 pm EDT

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    Kudos to Bosh. But think about it- what you are gushing about should be the norm, not the exception. As for giving Stern credit, PLEASE, let's keep that crook out of this story.
  7. Travis
    7. Posted by Travis Fri Jul 03, 2009 3:25 pm EDT

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    Yeah, I don't give Stern credit at all. The NBA Cares movement is horribly titled. "Hey, look at how much we care. Really, we care!" Rhetorically condescending.
    Bosh, though, has always seemed like a great guy. Not to mention, he's an underrated player (blame Canada--fans and media?).
  8. Simmsinns
    8. Posted by Simmsinns Fri Jul 03, 2009 4:08 pm EDT

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    EVERYBODY loves Chris Bosh's personality.
  9. paleballer
    9. Posted by paleballer Fri Jul 03, 2009 5:18 pm EDT

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    Bosh is a beast but he plays in Canada....woooooo.....NBA doesnt belong in Canada, ala Vancouver Grizzles...end of story
  10. Alex H
    10. Posted by Alex H Fri Jul 03, 2009 7:33 pm EDT

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    Too bad american fans are worse then the ones we have up here in Canada. The acc is one of the best place to watch a basketball game hands down.
  11. Anton
    11. Posted by Anton Fri Jul 03, 2009 10:23 pm EDT

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    Follow the money, Turk. Now, if the Raptors could get another guy, then they would be set.
  12. Allen
    12. Posted by Allen Sat Jul 04, 2009 12:34 am EDT

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    Why wouldn't the NBA belong in Canada? The more fans the league has and the more exposure the game gets, the better. The formula of teams in Canada and the US seems to have worked well for the NHL and MLB. It's all about the game. Pulling hockey for instance (known widely as Canada's game) out of the U.S. would also be a big mistake.
  13. Richard
    13. Posted by Richard Sat Jul 04, 2009 4:56 am EDT

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    Kobe should do the same to cheer for Paul when he play those european cup game, aftera ll without paul comign to lakers, lakers might be in phoenix sun position or rebuilding.
  14. d_a_warsh
    14. Posted by d_a_warsh Sat Jul 04, 2009 12:25 pm EDT

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    anybody who thinks basketball or baseball doesn't belong in Canada is greatly mistaken. Since the grizzlies left from vancouver to memphis, what have they done? since the expos left montreal to washington, what have they done? i'll give you all a clue... nothing! the nationals have come close to failing as a franchise with their brand new stadium regularly bringing in the fewest amount of fans in the mlb. memphis, likewise, has done nothing but fail with their franchise. Bosh, and his great personality, can really bring the sports attention to Toronto that is warranted! CB4 don't ever leave.
  15. Skippy
    15. Posted by Skippy Sat Jul 04, 2009 12:51 pm EDT

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    Bosch is a good guy. Good Luck!
  16. napalm frost
    16. Posted by napalm frost Sat Jul 04, 2009 12:59 pm EDT

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    he wants to win trade teams with lamar odom or big baby and it would increase his possibility of sucess drastically, of course the raptors did take turkoglu
  17. Daniel M
    17. Posted by Daniel M Sat Jul 04, 2009 2:08 pm EDT

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    Skeets, I love your work, but your use of the word "gringos" here is way off. Gringos means white people, and Spaniards are white Europeans!
  18. Anton
    18. Posted by Anton Sat Jul 04, 2009 2:12 pm EDT

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    Richard - who is Paul? I thought the Lakers got Pau.
  19. isai n
    19. Posted by isai n Sat Jul 04, 2009 2:19 pm EDT

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    Bosh gets tons of media attention in Toronto
    all of you Americans hating on Canada... ever been to a Heat or Bobcat game, there are like 20 people there, most of whom got free tickets with a subway sub purchase!
  20. jeezee10
    20. Posted by jeezee10 Sat Jul 04, 2009 3:08 pm EDT

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    Wonderful, wonderful! At least, the world realizes there are NBA players who are opposites of Starbury, Artest, etc.
  21. Bob Marley
    21. Posted by Bob Marley Sat Jul 04, 2009 3:17 pm EDT

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    James Naismith the inventor of basketball is Canadian born and raised. Born in Almonte, Ontario in 1861. Grew up in Canada and got his degree at Mcgill University in Montreal. With Canada there is not NBA. LOL, and for those who believe he's from the States you are sadly mistaken. He just went south to teach and spread the great knowledge and education we have here in Canada. He also blessed the us with the sport We the fans from both north and south love. So don't hate and say ignorrant comments like that, just love the game.
  22. smakledorf
    22. Posted by smakledorf Sat Jul 04, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

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    i loved his all star used car salesman commercial.
  23. farnsworthy420
    23. Posted by farnsworthy420 Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:25 pm EDT

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    first!!!!!!!!!
  24. Travasher
    24. Posted by Travasher Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:55 pm EDT

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    I love Bosh, the only reason I'd like to see him stay in Toronto is because he looks like a raptor.
  25. Dntfake_Dntdie_jusLive
    25. Posted by Dntfake_Dntdie_jusLive Sat Jul 04, 2009 6:01 pm EDT

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    Man, people are people, RICH, OR POOR!! YOU ARE WHAT YOU ARE, but I'm glad he's a good dude, cause as a post player.........we still waiting on him.

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