NBA: Looking back at Chris Bosh’s Hall of Fame Career

Looking back at Chris Bosh’s Hall of Fame basketball career. 

A long 14-year career finally paid off for Chris Bosh as he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame this past weekend. The 6-foot-10 phenomenon left an impact that many players in today’s NBA looked up to and took with their game. Bosh was a special talent that continued to elevate his game year in and year out.

The kid from Texas didn’t necessarily have a lot of hype surrounding him going into the 2003 NBA Draft. Despite a phenomenal freshman season at Georgia Tech, Bosh still had to be overlooked by draft classmates in LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, etc. Luckily, the city of Toronto has been known for taking a chance on young talent who show potential to be franchise leaders.

As the Raptors selected Bosh with the fourth overall pick, they weren’t disappointed with his production early in his career.

Bosh fit right into the modern NBA as far as the power forward position. He displayed much versatility from facing up to creating opportunities for himself offensively. Early in his career, Bosh had the luxury to play alongside key vets in Vince Carter, Rod Strickland, Antonio Davis, and others. Early in his career, Bosh was able to soak in what it takes to be successful in the NBA and it benefitted him going forward.

As Bosh continued to ascend as an all-star talent, the more the Raptors organization believed in him. He averaged 22.6 points in the 2006-07 season and led Toronto to the playoffs for the first time in five years. In the first round against the New Jersey Nets, Bosh averaged 17.5 points per game and had a solid 25-point outing in Game 2.

Unfortunately, the combination of Jason Kidd and Vince Carter was too much for a young Toronto team to handle. The Raptors would be eliminated in the first round in both 2007 and 2008. By the time 2010 free agency came, Bosh made the biggest decision that would result in a few championships.

Bosh would join the Miami Heat and team up with LeBron and Wade. With very high expectations on the team, the Heat were expected to achieve excellence, particularly when LeBron stated that they could win 7-plus rings. Although it took a while for Miami to find their chemistry, once they learned their feelings for one another they dominated the league.

Bosh was the player that made the most sacrifice from a No. 1 option with the Raptors to a No. 3 option with the Heat. His numbers certainly decreased but his productivity did not. Oftentimes, Bosh stepped up tremendously when needed to. He had his shares of game-winning shots during his Miami tenure and asserted himself on both ends of the floor. When Erik Spoelstra switched to a smaller lineup with Bosh at the center, it made Miami more dangerous due to his versatility that was too much to contain.

The biggest play in Bosh’s career came in game six of the 2013 NBA Finals. With a championship on the line, his ability to grab an offensive rebound and kick it out to Ray Allen was a game-changer. Many can say that the rebound was bigger than the shot.  Bosh’s instinct to make a big play down the stretch of game six would seal a Heat victory and defeat the San Antonio Spurs in seven games.

Unfortunately, Bosh’s career ended abruptly due to blood clots. But his career as a whole was spectacular as he was respected as one of the top power forwards in the NBA. Going to Miami was the best decision Bosh made for his career. He finally became a “winner” and played his role as the third star behind James and Wade.

Because of his hard work and ability to help the team win two championships, Bosh had his jersey retired by Miami while being placed in the Hall of Fame as well.