The top 10 Miami Heat players since 2010
By Cory Sanning
3. Chris Bosh
Stats (2011-2016): 18.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 50 percent from the floor
There’s no doubt that while Bosh had a stellar individual career in Toronto, he’ll mostly be remembered for his contributions he made while in a Heat uniform.
Coming into 2010-11, no star in the history of the NBA would have to alter his game quite like Bosh would. He was coming from a team in which he was the clear-cut no. one scoring option for years, and as a member of the newly formed Big 3, Bosh would find himself a third wheel, the forgotten man at times.
Criticized early on, many pundits and critics felt that Bosh was playing much too softly, most aiming at his slightly decreased rebounding average.
It’s nearly impossible to average a double-double every single night when you constantly find yourself away from the basket to create space and driving lanes for two of basketball’s greatest attackers.
Most never thought of it in that fashion, therefore unintentionally shielding themselves from the truth.
Not only did Bosh develop a reliable 3 point shot and a versatile defensive game, he became one of the more clutch players in the entire league and constantly came through with big shots and performances when his team needed him the most.
I think of early January 2012, the Heat were in Atlanta after just falling to the Hawks in Miami days prior. Both James and Wade were on the bench in street clothes, and right from the first tip, it was evidently clear that the best player on both ends of the floor was no. 1.
In a contest that would span three overtime periods, Bosh would tally 33 points and 14 rebounds, knocking down the tying 3 pointer with just .6 remaining in regulation.
A little over a year later, Miami found themselves in a very similar situation in San Antonio.
Neither James nor Wade was available, and it would once again be left to Bosh to pick up the pieces.
Boy, did he ever.
23 points and three 3 pointers later, and the Heat score a last-second come from behind win against a fully healthy Spurs team. The most memorable moment? Bosh’s signature roar to the crowd following another game winner.
We could ask the Portland Trail Blazers fans who witnessed Bosh drop 37 points and 10 rebounds at the Moda Center, silencing the crowd with another clutch three.
The list goes on and on.
Oh, and who could possibly forget Bosh’s magically clutch performance on both ends of the floor at the end of Game 6? Had it not been for several key blocks and that critical rebound, we could be having a completely different discussion today.
There’s a reason his number will be in those rafters one day, and it was warming to see the Heat retire it so quickly.
Bosh, like many others on this list, (likely) played his last game as a professional with the Heat.