True to form, Bosh parried every thrust. He took what The Beast - New York's unrelenting sports media - gave him and fed it nothing in return. He had played the game masterfully and so The Beast retreated, still unsure of what Bosh will do 14 months from now when he becomes a prized free agent in 2010.

As for yesterday's afternoon tilt, Bosh and the Raptors beat the New York Knicks 102-95. The victory extended Toronto's season-best winning streak to six games.

Bosh may only be 25, but he is a wise 25 and he gave the monster nothing, no matter how hard it poked and prodded.

The Big Apple media had one thing on its collective mind - what is Bosh going to do in 2010?

"Every year's important, that just happens to be a different kind of year because it could signify change or it could mean things stay the same," Bosh answered.

But isn't New York the single greatest metropolitan area in the history of civilization?

"I think so, it's always an attractive place. Madison Square Garden is one of the best-known places for Basketball, and just the city alone is always attractive to a lot of players," Bosh said. "It's a tourist spot ... there's a lot this city has to offer."

Isn't Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni the single greatest Basketball mind of this era, someone any self-respecting young player wouldn't want to worship in his offensive-minded soul?

"I don't see how people can't get along with him," Bosh replied.

Are he, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade forming some secret society of Basketball stars determined to share championships together, hatching a dastardly plot to dominate the hoops world every time they see one another?

Wade and James could also be on the move in 2010. Both have contracts through 2011 but can opt out a year early.

"I think it was something everybody touched on when we were with Team USA this summer. Being able to play with Dwight and Kobe ... was kind of surreal and I can understand why it picked up after the Olympics. But no, we haven't talked about it."

But, really, Toronto?

"Yes, I would like to be here," Bosh added. "Despite everything, I'm happy where I am. I want to continue to get better. I'm a professional, I show up, I work, I enjoy my work, I enjoy being in Toronto."

So after The Beast withdrew and the game began, Toronto demonstrated that if Bosh wants to play with a team with promise, he's probably better off with Toronto than New York.

He and Andrea Bargnani, once again blending seamlessly at both ends of the court, combined for 40 points and 20 rebounds and were virtually unstoppable.

Bargnani, who played his best all-around game in weeks with four blocked shots and seven boards to go along with a game-high 23 points, was just as effective moving the ball as he was scoring. He was credited with only two assists, but that only means the scorekeepers were probably groggy from the early tip.

"As impressive as he shot the ball, his swinging of the Basketball late in the third quarter to open teammates really solidified things for us," Raptors coach Jay Triano said of Bargnani. "Over the last couple of games, he has really shared the ball and, as a team, we shared the ball because of that."