The Miami Heat have decided to retire Chris Bosh’s jersey and we immediately wanted to create our top 5 favorite Chris Bosh moments for the Heat.
Chris Bosh will have his jersey retired by the Miami Heat on March 26th against the Orlando Magic, reported first by Bosh himself on the Bill Simmons Podcast, “That part of my life is over,” Bosh said. “That has been a tough thing to deal with but I’m good, which has taken a long time [for me to accept]. … I could have kept playing. But man, that time has passed. I’ve made the decision not to pursue it anymore.”
It’s a bittersweet announcement for Bosh, who hasn’t played in an NBA game since February 9th, 2016. The 34-year-old big man would be a favorable asset to have in today’s NBA, but the 11-time All-Star has severe blood clots and cannot continue his Hall of Fame career. Bosh was a huge part of the Heat’s big three era that included LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, winning two championships and having to go from the go-to guy for the Toronto Raptors to becoming the third wheel in Miami, sometimes even getting the most flack even though he had to play without the ball in his hands for the majority of games (think Kevin Love on the Cavaliers).
As previously mentioned, in this current NBA, Bosh would have flourished as a 4 or 5, being able to shoot from deep on a regular basis and pulling his defender from outside the paint. Even Bosh at 34, still could have made a positive impact on any team. Sadly, two episodes of blood clots ended his career way too early.
And even though Bosh won’t play for another NBA team for the rest of his life, don’t be too sad for the big man, as he will be making close to $28 million this season by the Heat and will definitely be offered a partial front office job in no time from any organization around the league.
Here are five of Chris Bosh’s best moments as a member of the Miami Heat, as there are many to choose from.
5. Chris Bosh game-winner vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Bosh finished with 37 points, 15-26 FGs, 10 rebounds and a BIG game-winning three vs the Portland Trail Blazers, December 28, 2013.
LeBron James missed this game because of a groin injury, and Dwyane Wade struggled throughout the game, but it was Bosh who led the Heat to this last-second victory. Down 107-105 late in the fourth quarter, Wade drove to the hoop and threw a behind the back pass to a wide-open Bosh at the top of the key for a deep rainbow three (went 3-3 from downtown) with 00.5 left on the clock.
Bosh was then mobbed by LeBron and other Heat players after the big shot. The Heat held on for the 108-107 victory and nothing could be better for the Heat who were struggling to get their chemistry on an uptrend, and who other to help cement this team together than the third star in Bosh?
Our next game is more of a well-rounded performance from the All-Star.
4. Chris Bosh has one of the more efficient performances of his career
Bosh finished with 40 points, 15-22 FGs, and a win vs. the Denver Nuggets, November 3, 2012. One of Bosh’s most efficient games of his entire NBA career. this could potentially be Bosh’s best overall performance ever in a Heat uniform.
In only the third game of the season, Bosh put up his only 40 point game as a member of the Heat. He only made one three-pointer so he was making shots all over the court. Moreover, that season, he shot a career-best 53.5% from the field. The Heat needed a four-point play from Ray Allen to hold off Denver 119-116, but needed all of Bosh’s 40 points to seal the victory. This is what the Heat envisioned: when one or more players are struggling, the other big name steps up.
Bosh became more of a spot up shooter, but when LeBron and Wade are dominating the game, Bosh’s spot-up shooting made Miami almost unbeatable.
Our next one has to do against a Spurs team that still wants revenge, and no, its not that game.
3. Chris Bosh hits huge 3-pointer to grab a win over the Spurs
Bosh totaled 23 points, 9-15 FGs, and 9 rebounds in a win vs. the San Antonio Spurs, on March 31, 2013. James and Wade were late scratches for this eventual NBA Finals preview, even starting point guard Mario Chalmers was out.
On paper, this looked and smelled like a Spurs blowout victory.
When a team like Miami has been to consecutive Finals, they may overlook certain games and may not take them as serious, even if it is the Spurs. Bosh and the Heat did not get that memo. Bosh stepped up big and hit a three with 3.5 remaining for the 88-86 win on the road. Bosh went 3-5 from deep in the game. It was head coach Erik Spoelstra who said Bosh was the Heat’s ‘most important piece.’
That may be hard to argue, especially with the top two moments of Chris Bosh’s Heat career and how it helped with the franchise’s third championship in team history.
2. The Bosh Block
The Bosh block was heard all over the world, it was Game 6, of the 2013 NBA Finals. After a frantic last minute, the Spurs and Heat went into overtime. Miami was up 103-100 and needed one more stop to tie the series and force game seven.
Spurs sharpshooter Danny Green, who set a then-record by making 27 threes in a playoff series, ran to the corner and caught the ball. Bosh was able to run to Green and block the shot. The Spurs bench erupted in anger at the possible no call since Green ended up on the floor and the shot was taken right on front of their bench.
Even those this play sits at the no. 2 spot, this could quite possibly be the most exciting play of Bosh’s career.
Bosh did not score at all in the seventh game, however, that play prevented the Spurs from tying the game and possibly winning the NBA title on the Heat’s home floor. This would have been number one if not for the play that forced overtime, remember?
1. Bang!
It was the infamous rebound and assist in this Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals. You really thought it was going to be something else?
Every Heat fan remembers this moment: The yellow rope was already on the court, which means a celebration is coming. The game wasn’t over, yet some Heat fans already headed to the exits.
For the second time in three years, the opposing team was about the win the NBA Championship on the Heat’s home floor, but not so fast, after LeBron hit a 3-pointer with 20 seconds left in the fourth, it was 94-92 San Antonio. Kawhi Leonard was fouled and split both free throws. Then the ensuing possession happened: LeBron misses the three, Bosh fights and get the rebound and finds Ray Allen backpedaling and puts up a three.
BANG! Tied game! The rebound and three will forever live in Heat history and is the main reason why Bosh’s jersey will be in the rafters. He sacrificed the most out of the big three and is a Heat legend forever. And while Ray Allen gets a lot of love for this shot, it couldn’t have been possible without the efforts from Bosh on this play, which pretty much mirrors the type of effort he gave as the third star in a Miami Heat jersey.
Long live Bosh!