Commentary
By Jason Whitlock
It’s been an amazing journey.
Chris Bosh went to Miami and not a day has gone by since, when I haven’t received an email, message or text from somebody about Bosh. Yes, that’s a polite way of saying “how bout that Big Three?”
I’ve been hearing a lot about Bosh in the last week, and I hope you were as as fascinated and disappointed by the first season of the Big Three as I was.
Why?
Bosh is one of the most underachieving players in NBA history. That’s not an odd statement. Everyone knows someone who sucks.
True, Bosh has failed to live up to the lofty expectations placed on him by his July 2010 trade from Toronto to Miami, but my contention is the chemistry and commitment issues are more serious. If you tell me a young Kevin Durant wants to do nothing but shoot jumpers instead of dribble around the court, I’m going to expect a lot. Don’t tell me Westbrook has worked hard instead of lounging around in a motion offense. That’s an uneven feeling. Too often, Bosh will exhibit enthusiasm with an ankle sprained but hulkish stature, turning his back on a teammate while making the most unproductive play in NBA history.
Here’s a headline I’m hearing across sports: “Bosh is the best thing that happened to LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.”
Do we really want to pay cash for that? The two biggest free agents in the summer of 2010 were Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh. If you select Carmelo, how many if any quality NBA teams had you front-loading the roster? Team America?
If you choose Chris Bosh, how many quality NBA teams have you front-loaded the roster? Team Australia? Team Belarus? Team Ecuador?
The answer is none. None.
If you can fill an NBA roster, carry yourself like a baller, stand tall in public and sell the way Bosh sells, you’re the best thing that happened to LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Bosh didn’t have much of a chance once Wade went down with an injury because he’s also a bad defender and a bad finisher at the rim. That’s just not natural Bosh. Bosh’s strongest skills are his great feel, passing and passing ability. He is great with his hands.
Bosh is a good outside shooter, but he can’t shoot the perimeter. Wade is exceptional at spotting up and hitting the 3, but Wade is not excellent at the free throw line.
Now that Chris “Birdman” Andersen is a free agent, another new star joining Wade and Bosh looks more than likely. Now’s the time for Wade to make an impact on the floor with the Birdman, keep the Heat competitive, and get even more free agents to stay home.
So Bosh showed up in Miami and most of his time, I think, was wasted. In the fourth quarter of both the NBA Finals and NBA Playoffs, he looked gassed. Playing alongside James, Wade is one of the best all-around players on the planet, but Bosh is the weak link. He doesn’t have the strength to back down Alonzo Mourning, he doesn’t have the shooting stroke to beat Dwight Howard, and he doesn’t have the defensive game plan to keep Tim Duncan out of the paint.
How much Bosh did Miami overpay to get him and, more importantly, how much Bosh has done for them, will be decided by 2016. My issue isn’t Bosh. It’s his situation.
What can Heat fans do to help the Heat get a better center or front-court play out of Bosh? Spend time in the gym working on their game. I’m not suggesting you can’t be selfish, but Bosh’s 3-point shot has been all over the place. The Heat should pursue him in free agency in two years, then you can just be selfish.