Another title will keep Bosh with the Heat
MIAMI — Heat center Chris Bosh refuses to make this a complicated issue.
To him, it is quite simple: If they win another NBA title, the chances of him remaining in Miami are strong. Because the biggest question for theHeat entering the season isn’t completing a “three- peat,” but if the team stays together once Bosh, LeBron James and DwyaneWade become free agents next summer.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Bosh said Wednesday, speaking after the filming of a commercial for the Warren Henry Auto Group at Turnberry Isle Country Club. “I was like, ‘ Man, it’s beenfouryears already?’ But we’re professionals. We know it comes with the job. We can’t do anything about it. We just have tomake sure we take care of our business, stay together and just really answer the call to adversity when it comes.”
That business consists of completing another championship run. The Heat are attempting to become the first team to win three consecutive titles since the Los Angles Lakers did from 2000- 02. Only five teams have accomplished the feat.
For the Heat, it’s more about keeping the core of their team intact. Making history is just an added bonus.
“Everybody wants to know what we’re going to do [ after the season],” Bosh said. “Yeah, get it. Everything depends on this season. If we win, cool. If we lose, that’s when it’s like ‘ What if?’ ”
Bosh said he is better equipped to handle the attention than the last time he was in the situation. Hewas a free agent with the TorontoRaptorsafter2010season before joining the Heat. He said the key is keeping focus on the current season.
“You think about it, but I’m mature enough to know that if I really start to think about it, I’m going to start playing bad,” Bosh said. “Things aren’t going to go right. I’m just going to enjoy today. I’m looking forward to having a big year this year. That’s all I think about. In Toronto, it kind of messed meup. Iwas thinking,‘ What is going to happen [ in the offseason]?’ I started struggling and then I snapped back into basketball.”
His love for living in South Florida should also easewhatis expected to be a stressful season on and off the court. Bosh said he would prefer to remain with the Heat but knows things could change if they aren’t crowned champs again.
“It’s on,” Boshsaid. “My family enjoys it here. I enjoy it here. It’s playing basketball in Miami. It’s just the best. I think all those intangibles speak for themselves. We’re really looking forward to just keeping it going.”
Wade on Durant
Heat guard already offered his response on Twitter.
And he wanted to leave it at that regarding his recent rift with Oklahoma City’s
Wade hosted “ANight on the RunWade” Thursday at The Moore Building in downtown Miami, but wanted to keep the focus on fashion instead of Durant’s recent comments. The event raised money forWade’sWorld Foundation.
“Everyone has their opinion,” Wade said. “We’re in the age now where everyone uses their opinion. That was it. [ Durant] had an opinion. I had a response and there you have it.”
Durant earlier thisweek suggested during an interview that former teammate
now with the Houston Rockets, belonged on SI. com’s Top 10 players list instead ofWade.
The promptedWade to post his now famous “note to self” on his Instagram account that ended with this message directed toward Durant: “Make him respect your place in history… again …”