Chris Bosh’s former Raptor team has time to build a championship team; his new Heat squad does not.
So tell me, did you remember what it was like the first time you saw an old flame after one of the two of you had thrown water on the fire? Well that's what it was like for Chris Bosh on Saturday night when the Raptors played the Heat in Miami for the first time since Bosh signed as a free agent in Miami. There were some awkward encounters as well as genuine interaction recalling past history. But now that it's over with, maybe the focus can return to the business of basketball games.
Yes, Miami defeated Toronto and like everyone else in this early portion of the season, after the first close-up look at the Heat by yours truly, I'll echo all the sentiments that they definitely have some work to do to get to the championship level. It is a process as I mentioned in an earlier musing but regardless of where you sit in the NBA hierarchy, time is the key.
However, the Miami offence currently looks disjointed and simplistic; maybe that's the way it's supposed to be right now with the defence way ahead of the offence. But if you're going to challenge the likes of Boston, Orlando or the defending-champion Los Angeles Lakers, things are going to have to change.
For the former Raptor Bosh, he has admitted he is still trying to figure things out -- and it's not "his offence" any longer, things are very different. It would not surprise me to see him surrender the spot he has held for the past five years on the Eastern Conference all-star team as a result. That thought came to mind as he sat on the bench in the fourth quarter against his former team, particularly midway through the fourth when the game was still in the balance.
Chris Bosh interview: Part One: His life so far in Miami | Part Two: Cable TV better in the States?
But hey, it's about sacrifice and if he is willing to make them, he may come away with the ultimate prize next June. But what if he does (make sacrifices offensively and consequently statistically), and what if they still don't (win it all)? It's going to be interesting to watch.
However as the process evolves, the Heat need to be a quicker study than some of the other teams as they have their eye on a title... now... as in, this season. Some are saying enough with the "it's a process" drivel, this is a Pat Riley-built squad, so let's get after it. Or in the famous words of Riles himself "at some point in your life you have to plant your feet, take a stand and kick some (butt)." The Heat right now are like a Heisman Trophy candidate or a college football team where it's not just good enough to win, you have to look good doing it.
Everything is being examined under the microscope. Miami is 10 games in and there are questions about playing time and "miscommunication," which even has LeBron James making references to Randy Moss. Boy, what next?
