Why Chris Bosh at Center Will Make or Break the Miami Heat in 2012-13

With all the attention being given to Dwight Howard and his arrival in Los Angeles, the Heat have yet to find their true center to play alongside Bosh in the front court. However, it seems as though they have stopped looking, which actually makes sense.

Chris Bosh at center will, once again, make or break the Miami Heat during the 2012-2013 season. Aside from LeBron James, he's arguably the most important piece for Miami considering Wade and LeBron's skill sets are so similar. 

Bosh brings a unique set of skills that must be utilized in order for the Heat to win. Here are a few more reasons why it's important we keep an eye on Bosh at the 5 throughout the season.

He Must Completely Accept His Role

Bosh must completely accept his role in order for the Heat to be successful, and it seems as though he's willing to.

Recently, he talked with ESPN columnist Michael Wallace about playing center, deeming it "all for the better sake of the team."

When Bosh moves past the fact that it's better for the team and realizes this can be better for him and his gameplay, the Heat will become dangerous and—arguably—unstoppable.

Almost every night, he will be mismatched against a slower center who is not nearly as agile or talented as him, which brings me to my next point.

He Must Understand That He Can Stretch the Floor

Bosh's biggest strength is his ability to stretch the floor and expand the lanes for Wade and James. 

His mid-range jump shot is one of the most consistent in the league. Count on it if you leave him open.

The fact that Bosh plays center for the Heat does not mean this aspect of his game has to disappear. Actually, if it does, that would be bad for Miami. 

He's the perfect fit for this team at center. He can run the floor and knock down open shots, and he is, arguably, the best third option in the league.

However, he must keep in mind that the minute he stops hitting jumpers is the minute he becomes like the rest of the centers in the league, or at least a majority of them: one-dimensional.

He Must Understand That the Heat Are Much Better When He's at the 5

There's no question that the Heat are a better team when Bosh is playing the 5, as opposed to him playing the 4 alongside a slower 5 man who can't keep up with this fast-paced team.

Also, with the acquisition of guys like Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, it's more important than ever for Bosh to slide down to the 5 and create more minutes for these guys who, needless to say, will not be playing center.

A frontcourt lineup of James, Battier/Lewis, and Bosh would undoubtedly be the most versatile and hardest to guard in the league. 

These are just a few things for Bosh to keep in mind. Bosh playing the 5 is beneficial for everyone, including him.

Realize That the Heat Won a Championship with Him at Center

The fact that the Heat won a championship with Bosh at the 5 should be enough right there for him to continue to play center.

You know what they say, if it isn't broke, don't fix it.

Placing shooters around the Heat's Big 3, with Bosh playing the 5, was when Miami was at it's best during the playoffs. 

Bosh simply has to go back and look at the tape from last season in order to realize that the Heat are hardest to beat when he stretches the floor, pulls the other team's big out or as he proceeds to beat them off the dribble.

If He Doesn't Bang at All, the Heat Will Struggle

There's a lot of talk about Bosh's finesse in this article, yet if he refuses to bang inside with other centers across the league, the Heat will be in trouble.

He did a great job of this against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Finals, but he's got to do it more consistently for the Heat to finally capture that regular season No. 1 seed. This is especially important in the Eastern Conference, which is now filled with multiple talented centers despite the exit of Dwight Howard, who did not even participate in last year's playoffs.

Bosh must be a complete center for Miami. He must be able to put his back to the basket and make a move or body up the opposing team's center on defense.

It's important for him to find the proper balance.