If you’ve been watching closely …
What you should have noticed, thus far, this season is the gradual evolution of the Miami Heat around Chris Bosh, at the Center position:
5-Man Units for the Heat which include Chris Bosh
since this is actually the position he plays best, in the NBA, given his specific set of individual strengths and weaknesses [i.e. Exhibit A & B].
As Erik Spoelstra gradually begins to learn this about Chris Bosh, relative to the other players on Miami’s current roster, it will be very interesting to see if the Heat will increase the minutes Bosh plays at this position coming down-the-closing-stretch of the regular season, and into the playoffs … especially, if they can ever get 100% healthy and go to a regular rotation that looks like this:
STARTERS
PG, Mario Chalmers [i.e. best defensive PG, who should be starting]
OG, Dwyane Wade
SF, LeBron James
PF, Udonis Haslem [currently injured]
C, Chris Bosh
KEY SUBS
PG, Mike Bibby [i.e. best offensive PG, who should be coming off the bench]
OG/SF, James Jones
OG/SF, Mike Miller
PF/C, Joel Anthony
RESERVES
PG/OG, Eddie House
PF/C, Juwon Howard
C, Erick Dampier [or Jamaal Magloire]
C, Zydrunas Ilgauskas [currently injured]
EXTRAS/OUTS
C, Jamaal Magloire [or Erick Dampier]
C, Dexter Pittman
If/when the time comes that Miami is able to firmly establish the following “pecking order” on their team:
#1. Dwyane Wade [i.e. their Co-Captain and most important player]
#2. Udonis Haslem [i.e. their Co-Captain and best defensive player]
#3. Chris Bosh [i.e. their Starting "Center"]
#4. LeBron James [i.e. their "Global icon" ... and 4th most important player]
#5. Mario Chalmers [i.e. their most important "role" player]
#6. Mike Miller [i.e. their most versatile "wing" player off the bench]
#7. Mike Bibby [i.e. their best "spot-up perimeter shooter" off the bench]
#8. Joel Anthony [i.e. their best shot-blocker/rebounder/defensive-Big]
#9. James Jones [i.e. their 2nd best "spot-up perimeter shooter" off the bench]
#10. Eddie House [i.e. their 3rd best PG, who is unafraid to take "big" shots]
#11. Zydrunas Ilgauskas [i.e. their best "perimeter shooting Big"]
#12. Juwon Howard [i.e. their 2nd best defensive/rebounding Big off the bench]
#13. Jamaal Magloire [i.e. their most physical "enforcer" off the bench]
#14. Erick Dampier [i.e. their least effective Big off the bench]
#15. Dexter Pittman [i.e. their future Big who is rehabbing and getting in "Heat-shape" this season]
then, they will most likely become the “wagering favourite” to go all the way and win the NBA Championship that specific season.
The only question remaining is …
Will it happen this season, or sometime down-the-road?
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PS. Hat-tip to Tom Liston [re: basketballvalue.com].
Tags: Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Erik Spoelstra, Lebron James, Mario Chalmers, Miami Heat, Udonis Haslem