**Bargnani outshines Gallinari in Italian Showdown. Read the game story here**
NEW YORK — Like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Joe Johnson and Amar’e Stoudemire before him, Chris Bosh faced a horde of reporters at Madison Square Garden before a Knicks game.
And like those superstar free-agents-to-be, Bosh answered questions about potentially joining the Knicks as a free agent next summer.
“Quite honestly, you can’t do anything about it. Everybody just has to wait and see, including everybody who’s going to be a free agent, or who has a chance to be a free agent at that time,” Bosh, averaging 24 points and 11.3 rebounds, said Friday before the Toronto Raptors (19-20) met the Knicks (16-22).
“It’s just something you got to ponder really. I don’t let it effect what I do. I just go out and play basketball every night.”
There is a New York Post video from last summer where Bosh is seen laughing at length when asked by a fan if he might join the Knicks. Asked if fans should read anything into the laughter, Bosh said: “No, if I said something you can read into it. But people ask me that all the time, every city I go to…That’s all I can do without trying to offend anybody, is laugh.”
Bosh played under Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni on the U.S. Olympic team last summer and said D’Antoni would be a drawing card for all free agents.
“He’s a good coach,” Bosh said. “Everybody wants to play with a good coach. He has good prestige and he gets along well with his players and stuff like that. So anybody who considers that, I think that’s something that they would look at.”
Bosh also praised Knicks forward David Lee, who hit the game-winning shot Wednesday against Philly and has emerged as an All-Star candidate.
“David’s a good player,” Bosh said. “He’s been very consistent with his rebound numbers and this year he’s added a lot of scoring and I know he has a lot of freedom within their offense and he makes a lot of plays. He’s having a career year and I think it’s very good for him.”
Rumors have swirled recently of a potential straight up trade of Bosh to the Lakers for Andrew Bynum. The NBA trading deadline is Feb. 18.
Another possibility is that Bosh re-signs with Toronto and is then packaged in a sign-and-trade in July. Bosh said he didn’t know if he would still be in Toronto after the trading deadline.
“Oh, I have no idea, I don’t know. I just play basketball and whatever happens, happens. I know it’s a business and everything. And the business of basketball can take over sometimes. I can’t worry about that, I just have to do my job every night,” he said.
For Bosh to play with a James or a Wade, he might have to give up a max contract so the team can afford both players. Would he do that?
“That would be tough to do,” he said. “You really have to make a big commitment to do that.”
Bosh was surrounded by about 20 reporters during the pre-game.
Ron Artest previously told reporters some players might be afraid to come to New York because of the pressure of the media.
“There’s going to be pressure everywhere you go,” Bosh said. “People don’t think of it, but in Toronto, it’s a lot of media attention…If you’re successful, you’re going to get followed.”
The Knicks are on the periphery of the Eastern Conference playoff race and other free agents-to-be have indicated that success was a key factor in their decision-making process. Bosh didn’t necessarily agree.
“In order to get certain guys, you have to make room, so there’s no telling what kind of team will be here next year,” Bosh said.
As for this year, Bosh said his goal is to help the Raptors get above .500 and to start in the All-Star Game if Kevin Garnett (hyper-extended knee) is unable to go. He is currently third in voting among Eastern Conference forwards.
“It’s in Dallas. I’m from Dallas,” he said. “And just being able to start in any All-Star Game is pretty cool. Kevin’s a great player and he’s very deserving of being the starter, but if he can’t go I’ll gladly step in.”
(Photo courtesy Getty Images)
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