Chris Bosh Comments on Marion Trade, Answers 'Kobe or LeBron' Question

PHOENIX -- In the final segment of my interview with Chris Bosh, we discussed the important stuff: how his current season is going with the Raptors. Bosh is very candid in admitting that this isn't exactly how he imagined the season would play out, but with the recent trade that sent Jermaine O'Neal out of town to Miami for Shawn Marion, there might be time to turn it around.

Bosh also told me when he's planning on coming back from his knee injury (hint: soon), and answered one of the hot topics this season: Kobe or LeBron? Our conversation, after the jump.

BP: How are you feeling, and when is it looking like you'll be back on the court for the Raptors?

CB: Shoot, hopefully Wednesday. That's what I'm shooting for. You know, I have to practice first. I would feel more comfortable practicing first, you know I've been injured before, and going right to the games is not good.

BP: It's a different speed, right, than just say, running on a treadmill?

CB: Oh yeah. It's nothing like playing games until you play in the game. I want to get a practice in and test the leg out and see how it feels.

BP: What do you think the issue with your team has been this year? Obviously it's been a little bit disappointing, you guys lost a coach pretty early on, and you got Jermaine O'Neal in the offseason. Is it a similar situation to what's going on here in Phoenix in that, when Amare and Shaq are both down there, there's not a lot of space to operate. Is it kind of like that with you and J.O.?

CB: I wouldn't credit it to that, I mean, it's like, our problems aren't in that category. Our problems are rebounding and defense. So like, yeah, that would be an easy thing to assume, but it's all about defense and rebounding really. We haven't gotten better in those areas. There's still a lot of time to fix things -- well, not a lot. But there's some time, you know? I really had a vision of how the season was going to go, and it didn't happen like this. You see how Orlando, Cleveland, and Boston are doing, I kind of was thinking like -- in there (laughs). I'm thinking in there. I'm not talking about fourth, fifth, I'm talking about top three in the East, and we want to advance in the playoffs. That's what I was thinking, I wasn't thinking "fighting to make the playoffs." But you just have to deal with your reality and see how things can be fixed now.

BP: But you think there's still time left, right?

CB: Yeah, there's always time left. BUT -- it has to happen now. It can't be next week, it can't be next month, we have to take the attitude that it has to happen now. We can't keep being passive and saying "it's okay, it's okay." It is okay, but we need to show a sense of urgency. And that's one thing I can work on to get better and my teammates too.

BP: Your thoughts on getting to play with Shawn Marion now, since that trade went down?

CB: Shoot, man. I just want to win, man. I hope he shares the same ambition. You know, we really just want to get some wins. I know he can help us out, and we just have to be professional. We're going to welcome him with open arms and everything, make him feel comfortable, and try to get this thing going.

BP: Nothing against Jermaine O'Neal, but do you think the trade improves your team?

CB: I hope so. (laughs) I hope so. You know, sometimes you can get a very good player and things just don't click, and I think that's what happened. I know he had high expectations, I did too. And I hate that it didn't work out for either side. But hopefully it will now.

BP: As far as USA Basketball, which teammates, which guys did you really enjoy playing with the most? I mean obviously it's an All-World team, but ...

CB: You know what? I enjoyed playing with everybody. It's hard just to single out one guy in a pool of guys that talented. I mean, just everybody. Everybody was such a great fit, everybody was cool, nice, we all hung out. It was a family feeling, a good team feeling.

BP: Alright, if you had to pick one: Kobe or LeBron?

CB: That's the question of the time, isn't it? I'd go with Kobe. He has championships, so you have to go with experience sometimes. Because talent-wise, it's right there. But the thing that takes Kobe over the top is that he has more post-season experience, and he's done a lot more. Now, with that said, it's gonna be tough to answer that question, because LeBron's 24 years old, and there's a six-year difference. That's an insane difference -- ask me in six years and let's see what the difference is. Give it some time.

Previously on FanHouse:

All-Star Talk With Chris Bosh
Tech Talk With Chris Bosh
Mo Williams Thanks Chris Bosh for His All-Star Spot
Dwyane Wade Comments on the Shawn Marion for Jermaine O'Neal Trade