Motivated Bosh expects Heat to contend

[Roundball_Rock]

On contending without LeBron:


Bosh and Wade have had discussions about leading the team back to title contention without James. Bosh believes the Heat will remain title contenders as long as they keep adding pieces to the supporting cast.

"I think right now we have the correct infrastructure to compete for a championship," Bosh said. "We have to get much better at certain positions, and there's a bunch of things that have to continue to happen. But you know a team like the Spurs, they had a lot of guys that people underestimate, but as a team, they were outstanding.

On "being the man":


"I think sometimes you miss it," Bosh said. "You wonder if you can still do it and step up to the challenge. I haven't had to be that guy. I played with the best player in the world. I didn't have to be the alpha. But now, I get to see if I have it in me, and not many people are going to believe I have what's necessary. But that's what makes it exciting.


Bosh isn't lacking for confidence these days after receiving a max deal from the Heat. He insists he'll be playing with a chip on his shoulder, to disprove the doubters who say he can't lead a winning team as a No. 1 option.

On a Heat-Cavs opening night match up:


"Of course, we're going to win it," Bosh said. "And let me tell you something, nothing's going to change. If anything, I'm going to have a bigger chip on my shoulder. Maybe people in Miami really don't know that side of me, but I want something more than just to compete. I believe in our ability, no matter who I'm playing with. You ask me 10 times, 10 times I'll say yes."

http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/story/_/id/11210803/chris-bosh-ready-lead-miami-heat

[navy]

Wade is going to be the number 1 option.

[RRR3]

Wade is going to be the number 1 option.
Wade is delusional

[Jailblazers7]

Wade is going to be the number 1 option.

You have to be on the court to be #1. How are you going to build your offense around a guy who plays 60 games?

[navy]

Wade is delusional
How is Wade delusional? Dude actually took a paycut.

If I was a betting man, Im betting Wade averages more points and assist then Bosh next year.

[RRR3]

Well of course hell average more assists. He's delusional because he often seems to play like he thinks he's still a superstar IMO

[navy]

You have to be on the court to be #1. How are you going to build your offense around a guy who plays 60 games?
Wade may very well miss alot of games, but in the games he does play he will score more points and average more assist than Bosh in both the regular season and the playoffs. Just like every year of their respective careers. :confusedshrug:

[navy]

Well of course hell average more assists. He's delusional because he often seems to play like he thinks he's still a superstar IMO
He scored more points than Bosh on higher efficiency in the last post season where he apparently lost it....

[iamgine]

"I think sometimes you miss it," Bosh said. "You wonder if you can still do it and step up to the challenge. I haven't had to be that guy. I played with the best player in the world. I didn't have to be the alpha. But now, I get to see if I have it in me, and not many people are going to believe I have what's necessary. But that's what makes it exciting.

Like this quote. Very realistic point of view.

[BigTicket]

Maybe he can still do it, maybe not, only time will tell.

Playing with Lebron and Wade obviously meant that he got fewer touches, so it's understandable that his ppg went down. However, he has no excuse for not rebounding the ball these past 4 years. Less work on offense should have meant that he got more rebounds, not less.

[beastee]

If Miami had a legit C, I would think that Bosh could be "the guy". If he is going to mostly be playing the 5, i just don't see him putting up 24/10.

[sweggeh]

If Miami had a legit C, I would think that Bosh could be "the guy". If he is going to mostly be playing the 5, i just don't see him putting up 24/10.

Yep, I agree completely with this. If Oden is resigned and can play throughout the playoffs, Bosh + Wade is enough to get to the ECF in this weak East.

[MellowYellow]

Yep, I agree completely with this. If Oden is resigned and can play throughout the playoffs, Bosh + Wade is enough to get to the ECF in this weak East.

How many years of dnp's for Oden is there gonna have to be for people to realize he is just done.

[HomieWeMajor]

They sleeping on us but it cool doe.

[Roundball_Rock]

According to ESPN Bosh from 2011-2014 averaged 23.2 points when LeBron did not play compared to 17.1 when LeBron played. That suggests he is capable of being a scorer comparable to what he was in Toronto. Is Wade still capable of that level of production over a full season? Wade averaged 20 points last year, but took a huge chunk of the season off. He will have to reduce the wear and tear on him during games to last at least 70+ games--or be more productive in a limited period, which likely would doom the Heat. They need Wade to be out there for the lion's share of the season to avoid being a 7th or 8th seed.

[RRR3]

Bosh also averaged ~25 PPG as the 2nd option in 2012 when Wade was out. He should be fine assuming he is more aggressive.

[HylianNightmare]

Bosh is absolutely correct

[DMAVS41]

there is no team, other than a fully healthy bulls team, in the East that is clearly better than this Heat team if they are healthy.

And they might not be fully done building out the roster yet.

[JT123]

there is no team, other than a fully healthy bulls team, in the East that is clearly better than this Heat team if they are healthy.

And they might not be fully done building out the roster yet.
:facepalm Pacers, Raptors, Wizards are all CLEARLY better than this current Heat team! Tell me you would bet money on the Heat beating any of those teams in a series. :lol
As for not being done building the roster, who is still available that can really make them THAT much better than they are now? :biggums:

[DMAVS41]

:facepalm Pacers, Raptors, Wizards are all CLEARLY better than this current Heat team! Tell me you would bet money on the Heat beating any of those teams in a series. :lol
As for not being done building the roster, who is still available that can really make them THAT much better than they are now? :biggums:

LOL...no they aren't.

hahahahahaahah

If all fully healthy? I definitely bet on the Heat over Raps and Wizards. All depends on whether or not the Pacers bring back Stephenson.

[DonDadda59]

Prepare thy anus, League (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCXQVNV-lDY) :pimp:

[SouBeachTalents]

I don't think a player who's made only one All-NBA selection in his entire career has ever been talked about as much as this dude has in the history of the sport

[ihatetimthomas]

Wade may very well miss alot of games, but in the games he does play he will score more points and average more assist than Bosh in both the regular season and the playoffs. Just like every year of their respective careers. :confusedshrug:

And Bosh will average a higher fg %, rebounds and blocks. Funny how you decided to pick out the 2 stats wade has been better at bosh than. And it honestly doesn't matter if he is better in those 2 categories if he is playing 1/4 less games. The main guy will be the guy who is healthy and in the court.

[Trollsmasher]

motivated Bosh = rpg will go from 5 to 5.5:pimp:

[JT123]

LOL...no they aren't.

hahahahahaahah

If all fully healthy? I definitely bet on the Heat over Raps and Wizards. All depends on whether or not the Pacers bring back Stephenson.
Come on dude, at this point there is no such thing as a fully healthy Wade, especially since he won't have Lebron around to pick up his slack this year. Expecting Wade to be healthy all season is about as delusional as people thinking a 36 year old Kobe is going to come back from a torn achilles/broken leg, and be the exact same player he was 2 season ago. :roll:

[hawkfan]

Adding Deng at a very reasonable price, and keeping their other pieces, they are in good shape.

The East is totally wide open.

The Cavs are young.
The Pacers have internal problems.
The Bulls have to rely on an aging Gasol and an always hurt Rose.
The Nets need Lopez to stay healthy.
The Raptors need more production from Ross.
The Hawks still need a few more pieces (still have cap space).
The Knicks may not make the playoffs again.
The Wizards rely on an always hurt Nene.
The Hornets need outside shooting badly.
The Pistons still have a logjam at the bigs.

[DMAVS41]

Come on dude, at this point there is no such thing as a fully healthy Wade, especially since he won't have Lebron around to pick up his slack this year. Expecting Wade to be healthy all season is about as delusional as people thinking a 36 year old Kobe is going to come back from a torn achilles/broken leg, and be the exact same player he was 2 season ago. :roll:

I mean health relative to Wade.

No team in the East is for sure better other than the Bulls and Pacers (with Lance)...

The notion that the Heat won't be really good next year is silly. Can't wait...

[Milbuck]

Deng was a huge pickup for them. If he can return to his Bulls form, Miami could be really good. There's no replacing Lebron, but getting Deng, McRoberts, Granger, Napier, while re-motivating your star(s) is a good start. I have them winning 48-52 games and losing in the 2nd round to Cleveland or Chicago.

[Roundball_Rock]

Two superstars plus a third all-star=noexcuses next year for the Heat. :pimp:

[Mure]

This explains the whole reason why Bosh is trash. Going for a 3 peat wasn't enough motivation? Why are you motivated now? Does motivated mean you'll get more than 5 rebounds a game?

[magnax1]

You have to be on the court to be #1. How are you going to build your offense around a guy who plays 60 games?
Teams did it with shaq for a decade.

[Crimsonrain777]

LOL...no they aren't.

hahahahahaahah

If all fully healthy? I definitely bet on the Heat over Raps and Wizards. All depends on whether or not the Pacers bring back Stephenson.

i'm not nearly as confident in Wade as you are...what else are you considering when you say this?

[DMAVS41]

i'm not nearly as confident in Wade as you are...what else are you considering when you say this?

The fact that they have a proven championship culture. A really good coach. And Bosh, Wade, Deng...is a really good combo.

Oh, and the competition in the East sucks. If Stephenson is gone from the Pacers (real chance here) and Rose gets hurt again (real chance here)...and the Cavs somehow **** up and don't make a move (real chance here)...they are as good as anyone.

[Soundwave]

Teams did it with shaq for a decade.

There are so many punching bags in the East that it honestly doesn't matter much if Wade only plays 60-65.

He probably honestly could've played more last year, the Heat were just resting him because they didn't need him.

[Roundball_Rock]

There are so many punching bags in the East that it honestly doesn't matter much if Wade only plays 60-65.

It matters for seeding. Without LeBron the Heat can't coast to the #2 seed perennially anymore. The Heat could realistically go as high as the #2 seed or as low as the #7 seed. The Bulls, Pacers, Cavs, Raptors, Wizards, Hawks all have a shot at finishing ahead of the Heat. Last year the difference between the #3 seed and the #7 seed was only 4 games.