Signs point to LJ and CJ fixing games in concert down the stretch

[such sweet thunder]

Toronto GM Jerry Coangelo did a radio interview yesterday in which he strongly implied that Bosh was ready to play at the end of last season. Said Coangelo, "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. 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."

What makes this interesting is Lebron James has acknowledged that he elected to sit out the April 8 game against the Bulls even though he was healthy. The Bulls went on to win the game 109-108. This was at a time when the Bulls and Raptors were neck and neck battling for the final playoff spot. James had played the previous game on April 6, a 113-101 victory over Toronto.

The motivations seem obvious. It would be unflattering for both Bosh and James if the two were to have battled in the playoffs only to have joined forces two months later. I smell a rat.

[youjustgotrondo'd]

it's just a coincidence man. Everyone's making too big a deal out of these "signs" that show Wade Bosh and James were planning to team up.

[truebluefan]

I dont know about this.

[MikeDC]

Much like Gilbert, I think this is mostly sour grapes. Those guys would have gladly accepted the players back, had they been willing to come back. Hence, I think the talk about them being quitters has nothing to it.

[JayJohnstone]

What was the motivation for Lebron or Bosh to tank? Especially Bosh....

[such sweet thunder]

What was the motivation for Lebron or Bosh to tank? Especially Bosh....

The thing that gets me is didn't Lebron say that one of the reasons he sat out is he wanted to play the Bulls. (This was during the playoffs.) According to my memory -- and I can't find a link -- he wanted a team that would push the Cavs early. But that doesn't make any sense if Bosh was actually ready to play.