Miami Heat: What Do They Need To Do To Keep Chris Bosh Involved?

It took 10 games, but the Miami Heat and Chris Bosh finally joined forces to lead the team to victory.

An emphatic one at that, as the Heat beat the visiting Phoenix Suns in a 123-96 win where Bosh led the team with his first breakout performance of the season at 35 points, six rebounds, and four assists. The entire big three contributed to the win as LeBron James put in 20 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, while Dwyane Wade relaxed for 17 points, six rebounds and six assists.

It was easily the most well-rounded performance of the season from the team and was one of the most impressive outings by the big three. Considering the fact that they have yet to find a stable scoring balance between the three of them, Bosh netting 35, James scoring 20, and Wade putting in 17 are all you can ask for in a big win against a lethal team like the Suns. James was the only player to play the fourth quarter as he was on the court for the first two minutes before sitting out the rest.

Bosh came into the Heat's game against Phoenix with his previous season high being 21 points in a win against the New Jersey Nets. He had originally struggled for most of the season when it came to scoring, rebounding and defense, as he was only averaging 14 points and six rebounds. He left the Suns game with a scoring average of 16.4, a little more modest than the 14 that was making him the center of NBA ridicule.

The 35 points was just what the doctor ordered to say the least. The Heat forced the issue of getting Chris involved against an undersized Phoenix team as he scored the team's first eight points, as well as 12 of their first 15 on 5-of-6 shooting. He was hitting on all cylinders as he used his entire repertoire to get baskets. The majority came on a fair share of 15- to 20-foot jumpers, a few hook shots and a decent amount of easy lay-in's.

Bosh received the ball in every one of the Heat's early possessions, as Wade or James gave him the ball to work his magic. Bosh realized the advantage he held over Hedo Turkoglu by hitting a few jump shots and nailing a hook shot before Suns coach Alvin Gentry switched Channing Frye onto him. The switch made little impact as Bosh continued to take advantage the defensively challenged team. He was constantly open for his highlight shot at 20 feet.

Could the 35 points be just a direct result of Bosh playing against the defense of the Phoenix Suns? The same Suns team that is currently allowing 108 points per game this season? They certainly didn't make it too difficult for Bosh to score 35, but the most important aspect of Bosh's scoring outburst, besides giving the Heat the win, was that it gave him a load of confidence.

After listening for three weeks now to analysts and critics saying how he doesn't fit into the system, how he can't adjust to the role as third option, and how the Heat should cut their losses while they can, this was just the game the Heat needed. A weak defensive team with little to no inside presence will give Chris all the confidence he needs to carry on throughout the season. He refused to turn down shots that he had been hesitating on taking all season and as a result he only missed five of his 17 field goal attempts.

Not to mention, we actually saw the Chris Bosh who attempted driving the ball. This was more like the Bosh who was signed to a deal worth over $110 million over the summer. This was the Bosh who we have been waiting to see. This was the same Chris Bosh who averaged 24 points and 11 rebounds only a few months ago with the Toronto Raptors.

So how do you maintain it and keep allowing him to remain involved in the offensive system?

The game against the Suns was a jump-off point for Bosh as it gave him the confidence to prove his doubters wrong and get into the offensive groove that he had been missing since last season. With his confidence level at its peak, the Heat need to keep using Bosh to their advantage by having him start out the scoring for the Heat. The team needs to establish the post presence they have in the early going by feeding Bosh the ball.

Much like how the Heat did with Jermaine O'Neal last season by feeding him the ball in the post in the first few possessions of the game, they need to continue to do that with Bosh. Unlike O'Neal who would either be feast or famine near the paint, Bosh is nearly guaranteed to drain a few buckets and give the Heat the early leads that have been escaping them for a number of games this season.

James and Wade will get their points progressively over the game, but in the first few minutes of the first quarter it should be the Chris Bosh show. No matter the defender, Bosh should receive the ball and the team should design plays that allow him to get open for easy shots. At the moment, there appears to be no plays truly drawn up for Bosh to score. Not exactly to say that Coach Spoelstra has designed many plays for James or Wade, but the coaching and the team need to get Bosh involved if they want to keep him happy and satisfied with his scoring output.

Bosh is on a mission this season. Those first 10 games were easily the most daunting task for the entire Heat team as they attempted to form cohesion and chemistry. It appeared that Bosh might have been left out as he struggled, while James and Wade continued to bond on the court. After the Suns game however, that might all change as that big two finally becomes a big three.

When it comes to a player like Bosh who has no inside presence to play alongside and pretty much has to play the role as undersized center for portions of games, all the Heat need to do is give him the ball. At only 11 shots per game, compared to the 16 each that Wade and Jame are getting, it is not helping Bosh instill his presence as the Heat's lone offensive big man. Not only do they get Chris Bosh involved, but it allows more room for Wade and James to work their magic in the paint as more attention is focused on Bosh.

You can call Chris Bosh's game against the Suns a fluke, but you can't take away the fact that he grew as a player. He now has the confidence to become a beneficial part of this team, as well as possibly a better rebounder and defender. With games against Charlotte, Memphis, Indiana, Orlando and Philadelphia on tap, it should only help Bosh become a better scorer as he is defended by the likes of Tyrus Thomas, Zack Randolph, Josh McRoberts, Rashard Lewis and Elton Brand.

The rebounding will come, but for now the team needs to make Bosh a scorer to bring his confidence and production up. The team needs to start designing more plays that will allow their big man to score on easy opportunities. Bosh has surprisingly been the most double-teamed member of the big three and that should allow only more room for his teammates to thrive off of him. Perhaps this is the call for a more competent offensive system to be installed?

Either way, the Heat need to find more ways for Bosh to score. With a few overmatched defenders set to guard Bosh, this learning process of becoming the producer and rebounder that the Heat wanted him to become will begin to occur through this five-game stretch. It will only be until next Saturday when the Heat face off against Dirk Nowtizki and the Dallas Mavericks that we will see just how much Bosh has improved and if he can compete against the elite power forwards of the league.

They're giving him $115 million. Miami needs to make Chris Bosh more than a 14-point and-six rebound player for all of our sakes.