I don't mean to distract from the game at hand, a disappointing Raptors team coming West to spar with a napalm(ed/ing) Kings team, but … let me distract myself.

I'm trying to figure out how Toronto has been so bad with Chris Bosh, such a masterful player. I mean, he came into the season as a darkhorse MVP candidate … and played like it for a few weeks. But the general malaise surrounding that team has cut his culture into bits, and Bosh is the type of player that comes off infinitely better when he wins. (Like Elton Brand, Chris Webber, Antawn Jamison … basically any mercurial four.) With the right program, Bosh is a top 5 player. On a losing team, he's not everything you want. As a superstar, expectations get out of hand. There's only so many ways the public blame gets sliced, you know?

It's sad, really. Many fans in Toronto have been brutal, as if it is Bosh's fault that there isn't a quality scorer but he on the roster. Or that Andrea Bargnani can't even put bits together, let alone the whole package. Or that the point guard depth behind Jose Calderon is a bad joke, and that the depth at two-gard INCLUDING Anthony Parker is way bad.

And though Martin has been injured for all but nine games, it's a similar situation here. Grant Napear has been downright catty (surprise) when it comes to Martin on the radio and during games. "This team might have a chance if IT COULD EVER get Kevin Martin back." Yes, the chap loves sitting on the sidelines and watching his less spectacular teammates get blown to smithereens. Of course he does. It hasn't gotten quite to Peja/Bonzi levels yet, but the chirping from the lowest level of area fans — the level of fans that gets onto sports talk radio, natch — is distressingly awful. Francisco Garcia didn't sit out despite feeling OK. Martin isn't either. If he's not playing, he can't play.

People see Martin in a suit, they see the team's record. "Kevin Martin can't lead a team!" And you know what else, bub: Sherman wouldn't win the War on Terror. When you aren't on the floor, you can't win. And when you have to cover for at least two and often three other positions (Bosh), you can't win. There are metaphysical restrictions placed on Earthly beings. Even the stars (non-LeBron division) must follow them.

Maybe one day the pair can bring happiness to the World together, as one. Hint hint. Cough. Ahem.

***

Game's at 7. Go Kings.