Chris Bosh probably anticipated the occasional bump in the road when he embarked on his new basketball journey with the Miami Heat however I find it highly unlikely he could have foreseen this much negative reaction over his first nine games in South Beach. I have already discussed and given my opinions on Chris Bosh and how the Miami Heat will soon learn they are inheriting a solid big man but also one who may not compliment the talented wing combination of D.Wade and Lebron James.
Jason Whitlock of Fox Sports recently wrote a scathing review of Chris Bosh so far in a Heat jersey and basically stated if he hasn’t already, Pat Riley should be looking to move Bosh for a “goon” – a player with toughness, rebounding and tenacity. Basically he worries the Heat won’t be able to compete in the playoffs with a softy like Bosh leading their frontcourt. He doesn’t think it will work and he goes on to say the “Big Three” should be replaced by the “Big Two” along with a Horace Grant, Dennis Rodman type – or in today’s game a Anderson Varejao or Luis Scola.
Since deciding to leave the Raptors after seven successful individual season he has been called a third wheel, a luggage carrier, a front runner and even a quitter by his former GM Bryan Colangelo. Carmelo Anthony was just recently quoted as saying “I’m not Chris Bosh” referring to the latter’s hanging out the Toronto Raptors organization to dry during his departure with his immature twitter-filled escapades.
Bosh went from one of the (if not the) best power forwards in the game with a still bright future to an also-ran, a target for all physical big men in the NBA to devour under the glass, a whipping boy. Bosh averaged an impressive 24 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and attempted 16.5 shots in approximately 36 minutes a night for the Toronto Raptors in 2009/10.
In only 9 games thus far into the new season Bosh is averaging 14.5 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assist and attempts 11 shots a night for the Heat. The drop in scoring and rebounding was to be expected but perhaps not to this extent. Playing under the microscope the new Miami team has created will only intensify as the season progresses and especially if the Heat continue to underachieve.
Chris Bosh was the man in Toronto, he had the limelight and he was beloved in Toronto especially after taking over the franchise player role when the apathetic Vince Carter was shipped out of town. He could’ve continued his ascension up the ranks of the greatest power forwards of all time on a pure numbers basis with the 24/10 he was putting up night in and night out.
When Bosh was firmly planted on the Heat bench for basically the entire fourth quarter versus his former mates in Toronto I couldn’t help but wonder if he was feeling a bit of regret for the decision he made and the role he has been given on his new team. I wonder if the feeling for the Miami Heat is mutual and they are starting to get some buyer’s remorse with their max contract power forward.
Bosh has looked lost when on the court and a bit depressed off the court and in interviews he has given. He detests the “third wheel” tag and the fact that his game is no longer being well respected across the league by most media outlets. This is the decision he must live with for the next five or so seasons barring a surprise trade, do you think the Heat would accept an offer of Reggie Evans for Bosh? Hey, I had to ask!
Maybe it is still too early to deem Bosh a bust with Miami and chances are he will start to pick his game up but come playoff time when the play down low is more physical and intense if Bosh will whilt under the pressure and be exposed by Kevin Garnett, Shaquille (and Jermaine) O’Neal and Kendrick Perkins if the Heat face the Celtics at some point in crucial playoff games.
One thing I know for sure, I can’t imagine this is the type of start he envisioned.
Toronto+ Sports Blog 