NBA Playoffs 2012: Chris Bosh Must Man Up for Miami Heat's Must-Win Game 5

Bosh Spice is threatened.

In Game 5 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals, Chris Bosh will possess the opportunity to destroy the credibility of his degrading nickname forever. But if he fails to come to the Miami Heat’s rescue against the Boston Celtics, the mocking will only amplify for the remainder of the NBA playoffs and beyond.

Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported that, according to sources, Miami hopes that Bosh will be able to play on Tuesday night.

This is his moment.

Miami—a team that 16 out of 16 ESPN experts picked to advance to the championship—is on the verge of losing three straight games to a washed up Celtics squad. If the Heat fail to protect their house in Game 5, it’s over. Boston isn’t losing a series-clinching contest on their floor after winning three in a row.

Dwyane Wade and LeBron James—thanks to a joke of a call that fouled him out—failed to come up in the clutch in Game 4. With their backs against the wall, Miami needs a savior. Can you say, “Bosh to the rescue?” (Pic via @Jose3030)

Athletes that fight through the pain of injuries to lead their team to victory are immortalized. Ronnie Lott, Kirk Gibson, Willis Reed, Curt Schilling: Bosh is capable of adding his name to that prestigious list. He must play through his abdominal strain, because the boost that he’d give the Heat is immense.

Bosh is a superior scorer to the likes of Udonis Haslem and Joel Anthony. Not only would he provide a much-needed scoring boost, but his range would help spread the floor and make it easier for D-Wade and LeBron to penetrate. On the defensive end, his presence would be just as impactful as LeBron would be able to play his natural position at small forward again.

Sure, playing through an injury risks further injury, but starting Bosh isn’t detrimental to the Heat’s future because they have no future if they lose Game 5.

If Bosh walks on to the court in a suit on Tuesday, he'd better pray that the Heat are able to regain the series lead, because if not, Bosh Spice will forever be his legacy.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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