I just wanted to make a quick comparison between Chris Bosh and Kevin Garnett’s first 3 years in the NBA and the numbers were pretty shocking.

Even though Bosh had 1 year in college, they were both 19 when they played their first game in the NBA so I think it’s a pretty fair comparison.

-Bosh had a better rookie year than KG.
-Their 2nd year was close statistically; however, Bosh had 13 more double doubles than KG.
-Even though Bosh is currently in his 3rd year, I still compared their statistics, based on what Bosh is on pace for this year.
-Bosh is scoring 3 pts more and grabbing 1 rebound more than KG in his 3rd year, while shooting a cool .502 from the field and .819 from the free throw line.
-Bosh had 270 more FTA in his second year than KG. While Bosh is on pace for 574 free throw attempts, KG only had 332 in his third year. I wouldn’t call someone getting to the line 574 times a pansy. Vince Carter is a pansy (sorry just had to throw that in)

I understand that predicting a players output for the whole season after just 15 games is wrong, but Bosh can easily increase or decrease his stats.

Chris Bosh:
2003-04 – GP 75 – MPG 33.5 - 11.5 pts – FG% .459 – 7.4 rpg – 1.0 assts – FT% .701 – FTA 288 – 13 DD’s
2004-05 – GP 81 – MPG 37.2 - 16.8 pts – FG% .471 – 8.9 rpg – 1.9 assts – FT% .760 – FTA 542 – 32 DD’s
*2005-06 – GP 82 – MPG 39.1 - 21.2 pts – FG% .502 – 10.1rpg – 2.4 assts – FT% .819 – FTA 574 – 49DD’s
*On pace for

Kevin Garnett:
1995-96 – GP 80 – MPG 28.7 - 10.4 pts – FG% .491 - 6.3 rpg - 1.8 assts – FT% .705 – FTA 149 – 12 DD’s
1996-97 – GP 77 – MPG 38.9 - 17.0 pts – FG% .499 - 8.0 rpg - 3.1 assts – FT% .754 – FTA 272 – 19 DD’s
1997-98 – GP 82 – MPG 39.3 - 18.5 pts – FG% .491 – 9.6 rpg – 4.2 assts – FT% .738 – FTA 332 – 44 DD’s

(DD's = Double-Doubles)

Lastly, I compared the improvement of the two players from their first year to their third year.

Bosh year 1->3 = +9.7 pts - +2.7 rpg - +1.4 assts – 94 Double-Doubles
Garnett year 1->3 = +8.1 pts - +3.3 rpg - +2.4 assts – 75 Double-Doubles

(Again, Bosh may have more or less Double-doubles)

Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying Bosh is better than KG, nor am I saying he isn’t. Defensively, it’s no competition. I do however believe that if Bosh continues to improve like he has, then he may have the potential to a top 3 PF in a year or two.

That my fellow raptor fans....is reason for optimism.

^So basically, Bosh is Garnett minus the passing ability and defence.

Not once in my post did i say that. I am just comparing Bosh against one of the premiere players in the NBA, just to show some people that there is hope. All I am saying is that Bosh has the ability to be a top-notch forward. Thats it.

Someone's cranky.

Too put it another, less snarky way, at the same stage, Bosh is a better shooter and more aggressive offensive player, without the same court vision.

I can't remember how good KG's defense was in his 3rd year, but I would wager it wasn't nearly as good as it is now.

I don't think Bosh will ever have the same passing ability as Garnett, but even if he's 90% of what Garnett is at his peak, that's still a perennial all-star.

I remember some naysayers claiming Bosh had levelled off and wasn't going to improve this year. They were clearly wrong. His game is getting stronger week by week and I look forward to continued improvement (while praying that he doesn't bolt for greener pastures).

Other teams can't guard Bosh--he's too fast for the centers, and can score easily over smaller players. He's still not fluid passing out of or splitting double teams, but he's clearly moving towards elite status. He's almost worth the (reduced) price of admission to the ACC all by himself. Unfortunately, you are paying to see the other Raptors as well...

Haha.

Actually, I think the comparison is pretty valid. I'm a Bosh fan -- I just hope he's still around when we emerge from this brutal era in Raptors basketball.

He needs to get stronger and start having more vitamin C or something for that scurvy.

Ok when I see Garnett step onto the court, he looks so determined. He is never in a rush and plays so calmly. He is a warrior out there. Bosh is good and statistically will match up against Garnett allright but KGs heart cannot be compared. He has so much passion for the game. He plays each game like its his last. Thats where KG excels compared to others.

I like Bosh, dont get me wrong here but mentally he's no where near to KGs level.

I agree, Garnett is out there every game physically and mentally. He plays basketball like a job and has a deep passion and love. Remember, Garnett almost cried on T.V. when his Wolves were losing last year. Now that is heart.

U don't see a player like Garnett come around 2 often, so comparing Bosh 2 K.G,,,,hmmmm Bosh better bring his game

In the next 2yrs, Bosh will be an allstar and a great leader

KG played SF for his first 3 years just so you know, so the double double comparison will have to take that into account. Tom Googs was the PF on Minnesotta then.

Also with Googs there, KG was not the first option, and in his third year he also had Marbury averaging 17.7 PPG along with Googs' 20.1 PPG

I don't think Bosh is really like KG, he has a different game..

Since VC left the Raps last year, I've been saying that CB4 is the "next" KG, if there's going to be another KG like player.

Just hopefully, Bosh will give the Raps what KG has given the T'Wolves ... time.

We've seen the stats before, what about the W-L records? Someone post those and we'll see if there really is hope.

All Chris Bosh needs to be is the next Zach Randolph (Obviously Bosh has the potential to be much better than Randolph considering he cares on defense and is much quicker off the dribble) without the off the court problems and I'll be happy. I don't think we're being fair to Bosh when it comes to the comparisons with KG, he's a one of a kind player. He might not win a title but his numbers speak for themselves.

So now KG is compared to pansy? Look at the Wolves' record of the first 14 games in KG's third year, right there you can make a conclusion. The pansy is nothing more than a pansy!

RIGHT NOW KG is better

but statistically...
i believe BOSH is outperforming KG

Bosh wasn't the first option on his team in his first year either. Remember a guy named VC. Even in year two you can make an argument that Rose was the "1st option" on our team.

Also, remember that Bosh is a PF. He's been playing out of position for most of his short NBA career. If Bosh was playing SF rather than C, then his numbers would be even more impressive.

And a first round exit out of the playoffs?

Exactly.

I'd be mroe comfortable if we had the next Shaq, Duncan or Jordan... but Lebron plays for Cleveland <sigh>

Someone's been drinking.

^how so?

Bosh is physically mis-matched each night he plays centre and he still puts up great numbers. If he was being guarded by smaller guys, then he would absolutely abuse them.

He'd be absolutely abused on the defensive end since he's not fast enough. KG is a far more versatile defender.

Sorry Swirsk but the whole comp is silly. Comparing stats is not the same as comparing players.

Bosh can't handle the ball like a SF should, shoot like a SF should, or defend like a SF should. Saying that KG's stats are inflated because he played SF and "if Bosh was playing SF, his stats would be even better" is just asinine.

I think you're missing the point--the thread is actually comparing Bosh now (Year 3) to Garnett in Year 3 (many years ago).

I don't think anyone is arguing that right now Bosh>Garnett or even Bosh=Garnett.

But, given their progress in respective seasons, might Bosh approach Garnett's level of success.

If you look again at some of the earlier posts you'll see that, and see that at the very least, there's a legitimate argument to be made that based on how they played at similar ages, Bosh could get close.

Good point. Brian Grant really roughed him up in the Clipper game and it was proof he needs to get stronger.

Bosh simply isn't Garnett. He doesnt have the mentality or the passing ability or defencive ability. He can approach similar numbers and possibly a similar level of success, but he'll never be a comparable player. I'd say closer to Jermaine O'neal with a better FG%. I'd like to see Bosh get some more blocks though, he has pretty low numbers for someone of his size.

Watching those three blocks last night made me happy.

I tend to agree--my assessment for Bosh has been Jermaine O'Neal+. Taking it to the next level will require a significant improvement in his passing ability. Last night, though, he would have had a bunch of assists if his teammates hadn't layed bricks like (insert bricklaying metaphor here)

I think Bosh's blocks will come. A real defensive center would make it much easier for him to come from the weakside to get blocks. If he's holding down the fort in the middle, it's very tough for him to come off, help, and swat.

His blocks last night were one of the few positives.

John Hollinger on ESPN Insider has just published his player rankings for the 2005-06 season (which will be updated as the season goes on.

The statistical evidence pretty much backs up what we Raps fans (as opposed to haterz) have been saying all season: Chris Bosh is playing at an all-star level, he is one of the best power forwards in the game, but he is not quite at the level of Garnett, Nowitzki, and Duncan.

I can't reprint the table, but Bosh is ranked 13th overall in the NBA, with an almost identical player efficiency rating to marcus Camby and Jermaine O'Neal.

Brand, Duncan, Nowitzki, and Garnett are the top 4 PFs, and they are noticeably better than Jermaine and CB4. The next 3 PFs are Gasol, Marion, and R. Wallace.

The top 3 players overall are Elton Brand, Lebron James, and Allen Iverson, who has suddenly become very efficient. Duncan and Wade round out the top 5.

Other Raptors notes: Charlie Villanueva is the only Raptor with an above-average player rating, although Mike James is close. The Raps are a 1 man army right now. Hoffa is, no surprise, the worst center in the league. Rose is close to the worst SF. Sigh.

To sum up: There's still a lot of room to improve, but Chris Bosh is clearly a franchise player, right now.

This is even more reason why we need to deal the likes of Mo Pete, Matt Bonner and Denver's pick for a player like Artest. Even with the risks, there is a significant lack of talent on this squad.

This thread is a joke. Next thing someone is going to compare Bosh to Amare. Bosh wouldnt average more than 15 points a game, if he played in the West.

Hmm.. let's take a look, shall we?

26 vs Dallas
21 vs GS
22 vs Sac
23 vs Phoenix
24 vs LAC
22 vs LAL
21 vs SEA

Nope, not quite 15 per game.

haha, owned!