In avoiding guaranteed pressure with the Houston Rockets, Chris Bosh finally won over the hearts of Miami Heat fans.
Over the past four years, Chris Bosh has been a glorified three-point shooter whose presence was more a decoy than a threat. His third-position on the totem poll made it hard for him to get in rhythms are have any obvious impacts on the game on a consistent basis (at least as far as the box score). That made him the target of resentment and jabs among Miami Heat fans and, in general, fans of the NBA.
So when LeBron James left an aging Heat roster for pastures in Cleveland, many expected Bosh to sign with a pressing Houston Rockets squad. Bosh had the option to join Dwight Howard and James Harden and form a new Big Three that complemented his skill set. He could have went back to his natural power forward position as a stretch-4, leaving the defense to Dwight and the ball-handling to Harden.
It was perfect match, and I fully expected Bosh to leave Miami once I got the news that LeBron was leaving.
That’s not what happened, though. Instead, Bosh signed with Miami on a five-year, $118 million deal. Sure, he got an extra year and $30 million with the Heat, but that’s not all that swayed him. Talking with Ken Berger of CBSSports.com, Bosh says he didn’t want to relive the pressure that comes with forming another Big Three.
"“I could see where people would think that’s an attractive site,” Bosh told CBSSports.com, speaking of Houston, where half the NBA expected him to land back in July. “They were trying to win right away. And I was really happy to be touted that I possibly could’ve been out there. But you know, that doesn’t guarantee anything, and I know that. All that guarantees is a bunch of pressure.”"
It could be easy to attack Bosh for seemingly running away from the pressure, but after watching him the past four years I totally get it. Sure, the Rockets would have contended for a championship, but he knows how difficult winning a ring can be and that it is far from a guarantee. So why gamble? He’s comfortable in Miami, as he illustrated in Berger’s piece, and buys in to what Erik Spoelstra and Pat Riley are selling.
"“Bottom line, he enjoyed his four years in Miami and believes they can still compete for championships,” Bosh’s agent, Henry Thomas, told CBSSports.com."
I don’t think that’s blowing smoke, either. After getting a taste of playing ball at the highest level, that’s not something a player willingly gives up. He must believe he can compete for the Eastern Conference title with the Heat while maintaining the comfort level he has with the organization.
And after years of being flat out disrespected by fans and media (looking at you, Skip!) why would he open the door for more of that? Bosh recently went through a shooting slump but sorta-kinda came out of it Monday in a win against the Nets in which he went 5-for-11 for 15 points. Slumps happen to everyone, and Bosh has shown he’s more than capable of leading the Heat’s offense when his shot is falling.
By passing on the opportunity to relive the pressures of joining another Big Three (and mimic the actions of LeBron, who sought the greener side of the fence), Bosh remained loyal to Miami–his “second home”–and, finally, won over the hearts of Heat fans. It only took four years.
When Bosh first signed the contract, some deemed it an overpay. I’ve maintained that without Bosh, the Heat are not a desitination. No Bosh means no Luol Deng, it means guys like Chris Andersen and Mario Chalmers may not re-sign. It means that the Heat become Lakers-East as Dwyane Wade helplessly plugs away on a bad team with no discernible future.
By re-signing with the Heat Bosh saved the franchise, avoided the pressures of an ultimate trio and won over those flaky fans in Miami for good.