If You Can't Have Him, Hate Him: The Chris Bosh Story

Six weeks ago, Chris Bosh was the NBA’s “Most Wanted.”

With most people predicting that the top two free agents, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, would remain in Miami and Cleveland respectively, many described Bosh as the biggest prize in the free agent market.

And why not?  After all, Bosh is a 26-year-old who had just completed a season in which he averaged 24 points and just shy of 11 rebounds per game.  He was widely regarded as a player who could impact the NBA's balance of power by choosing a new team.

Fast forward to early August, and Bosh has become somewhat of an afterthought.

It is certainly understandable to an extent.  By joining Wade and James in Miami, Bosh resigned himself to the status as the number three guy on a team of mega-stars.

What is amazing, though, is how some have gone well beyond pushing Bosh to the background and, instead, have actively denigrated him as a player.

This is, of course, in part due to the desire of some to find ways to chip away at the new Heat lineup’s allure.  Many sportswriters and fans simply abhor the idea of the conglomeration of talent that has chosen to make its home in South Florida.

The arguments against Bosh’s significance, however, are generally pretty silly.

“He’s never won anything.”

True.  But is that because of Bosh, or in spite of Bosh? 

The numbers easily answer that question. 

In the past three years, the Raptors had a record of 102-106 (.490) in games in which Bosh has played 20 minutes or more.  In games he has missed, or played fewer than 20 minutes in, due injuries, the Raptors had a record of 12-26 (.316).  Clearly, Bosh has made a significant difference.  In fact, in two of the three years (2007/08, 2009/10) the Raptors had a winning record when Bosh played significant minutes.

Some may assert that great players can carry bad teams further than Bosh carried the Raptors.  But the examples they give are typically great PGs, SGs and SFs.  Low post players need help, and Bosh rarely had any.

“He’s soft.”

This type of comment is easy to say, difficult to prove.

Again, I look to the numbers. 

Bosh had nearly 11 rebounds per game.  I don’t know many “soft” players who could do that. 

Also, if Bosh were “soft,” one would expect that he’d produce less against teams with elite low post players.  Again, the numbers show a different picture.

Against the “Beasts of the East,” Bosh fared very well: 25.3/11.7 vs. Boston; 26.5/11.5 vs. Chicago; 243.8/9.8 vs. Orlando.

His numbers were slightly lower against the Champion Lakers (20.0/10.0), but that appears to have been the result of Bosh playing Pau Gasol to a standstill (19.5/9.0).

Soft?  I don’t think so.

“His numbers were inflated because he was on a bad team.”

Its ironic that those who make this comment are often the same people who wonder why Bosh didn’t go further in the playoffs.

Still, while Bosh may have had more opportunities to shoot in Toronto than he will in Miami, that does not change the fact that Bosh has always been an efficient player.  His shooting percentage last year was .518 (same as Tim Duncan).

So, yes… he took a lot of shots, but he made a lot as well.

In the end, the critics will say what they wish to say.  Nothing will be proven or disproven until the season starts.

If opposing teams convince themselves that Bosh is not a big threat, all the better for the Heat.

With the double-teams that James and Wade will draw, Bosh will have a field day.

Not bad for a number three guy.