Coming off of a 34 point performance last night in a 96-85 win over the Chicago Bulls in game three of the Eastern Conference Finals, it’s pretty obvious to me that Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh is playing with confidence and has found his place on this team. Early in the season, Bosh looked lost, passive, and out of place on the floor. He was often criticized for his timid play and lack of rebounding. Playing in Toronto, most people hadn’t really seen him play much unless you are a big fan of hoops and had the NBA League Pass.
Bosh was used to being the man for the Raptors, having the offense run through him and everyone else playing off him. While he averaged 20 points and 9 rebounds per game and made six All-Star performances, he’d never won a playoff series and he never was a legit superstar player. A player like Lebron James or a Derrick Rose type, who has enough talent to carry a team to high places with fair talent around them. There were plenty of basketball fans that thought Bosh was that kind of player but he wasn’t, and hasn’t been that kind of guy.
Now, playing with two legit superstars who have the ball in their hands the majority of the time, Bosh had a rough time early in the season finding his role on the team. The injury to Udonis Haslem made things even worse for him, as the team needed him to play a more physical role, similar to what Haslem would play. The Heat struggled with chemistry and Chris was one of the [main] culprits.
As the season progressed, Bosh and the Miami Heat have gotten better on the offensive end of the court. The Heat use him in pick & roll situations, which fits his game perfectly as he has one of the best mid-range jumpshots in basketball (big man or not). He also has been playing well, finishing off passes from James and Wade and hitting the offensive glass. In the three games against the Bulls, he’s averaging 25 ppg and grabbing 7 rpg as well. You can see the confidence that he lacked during the season as each playoff game goes by.
Finally, I’ve never been the biggest Chris Bosh fan and after the WWE type celebration he, Lebron, and Wade partook in [after signing], it made me dislike him even more. Add in the fact that he’s a fake tough guy and it irks me when he scowls and yells on the court, but I have to admit that he is playing well and will be one of the key reasons the Heat win it all this season.
Brandon Pemberton, Blogger for War Room Sports
Tags: All's Fair in Sports and War, Brandon Pemberton, Chicago Bulls, Chris Bosh, Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, Eastern Conference Finals, Lebron James, Miami Heat, NBA, NBA League Pass, The War Room, Toronto Raptors, Udonis Haslem, War Room Sports, WWE