Bridge to Nowhere

"Another day breaks and the last one's gone
You dig deep just to carry on
Your debt's paid off but it don't feel gone
So you slip out the back and you're moving on"

- Sam Roberts, "Bridge to Nowhere"

I was listening to this song on the highway this morning, and it perfectly captured how I've felt as a Raptor fan over the last little while.

I probably should have let everyone know on the site, but I took a sabbatical from this team about three weeks ago. From this season, this failed roster, this never-ending stream of disappointing performances... I had to take a break.

But after getting back from Mexico earlier in the week, and anxious to see Shawn Marion in action, I tuned in to watch the Knicks and Raptors do battle at Madison Square Garden.

Let me tell you, my hiatus is going to continue.

I won't stop writing, I'll follow the team, I'll read the box scores, but WATCHING this team is just sooooo frustrating.

I've got some thoughts about this roster, about the Marion trade, about the off-season plans... stuff I'll get to over the next week or so. One thing I can say is that Mr. Grange has pretty much hit the nail on the head when it comes to analyzing the Raptors of late.

Here's just something I'll throw out there:

Chris Bosh (ages 21-24)
05-06: 22.5 pts, 9.2 reb, 2.6 ast, 50 FG%
06-07: 22.6 pts, 10.7 reb, 2.5 ast, 50 FG%
07-08: 22.3 pts, 8.7 reb, 2.6 ast, 49 FG%
08-09: 22.5 pts, 9.6 reb, 2.4 ast, 49 FG%

So, essentially, Chris Bosh has been the same player from the age of 21 to 24. To further this statistical argument, he's averaged between 15 and 16 shots, and between 8 and 9 free throws in each of these seasons.

In a non-statistical sense, I don't think you could say any other part of Bosh's game has grown much over the past four seasons either. Is he a better defender? A better leader?

What am I saying? I'm not really sure, but is this a guy you want to give a 6-year max contract? Has he already peaked as a player? Consider that when Dirk Nowitzki was 21, he averaged 18 points per game. Three years later, Dirk was averaging 25 points.

"She says you're on a bridge to nowhere and you're gettin' there fast
Put it in the past, put it in the past
If this is a race then I hope you come last
You're on a bridge to nowhere and you're gettin' there fast"