Minnesota Sports Forum

You might recall the report 4 years ago that LeBron asked Bosh if he would sign with the Cavs in lieu of teaming with Wade in Miami. Bosh reportedly turned the King down, saying he did not want to live in Cleveland and wanted to go to Southbeach.

The fact that LeBron attempted to get Bosh to join him in Cleveland confirms how reluctant LeBron was to leave his home in Northeast Ohio. And the fact that Bosh turned down LeBron's request tells us a bit about Bosh. LeBron went to Miami solely in pursuit of a championship. Bosh went to Miami 4 years ago at least in large part for the lifestyle and cache of Southbeach.

Bosh's decision to turn down Houston's offer further confirms what Bosh is all about. Not saying he doesn't like to win or that he's a bad person. But he is one of those top NBA players driven more by the NBA lifestyle and the money than love of the game or competitive fire. In that sense, I see Bosh in the same category as Melo. Melo has never won a ring and likely never will. Bosh ended up with two rings through the good fortune of teaming with the best basketball player on the planet. I'll predict that he'll never win another. I see LeBron in the Jordan/Magic/Bird category -- fueled by passion for the game and a burning desire to win.

Interesting take Lip. I don't really dissagree with anything you said. I'd say though teaming up with Wade and Lebron in Miami was better than going to Cleveland with Lebron. I've spent most of the time Bosh has been in Miami sort of ripping him for being a max guy that is sort of a poor fit in a lot of ways with Wade and Lebron. He is a max guy because he can score and rebound not be a complimentary player. I've given Bosh props the last 12 months or so because I feel like he maxed out his role in Miami doing that and he sacrificed a lot to do so.

I used up my shocked emotion from Lebron going to Cleveland or I think I would have been more amazed Bosh went back to Miami. I'd say that him going to Houston was an absolute no-brainer except one thing. The West is stacked. That's a huge factor to consider. Until something happens in the east its still wide open. Bosh and Wade and maybe another good player maybe Deng could maybe even make it through the east to the Finals depending on what happens with their roster and other teams like Cavs, Bulls (health of Rose) Pacers etc. I'm not saying I would bet on the Heat because I wouldn't but Bosh going back to Miami isn't totally stupid more money featured player again and playing in the leastern conference. I'd still say Houston was the better move for him if he wanted to win but Miami offers some benefits too like more money. Lol

You bring up a good point lip but I have a different take on bosh staying it miami.

I actually admired and respect bosh more for staying in miami rather than goign to houston to play 3rd wheel again. By him taking max money for 5 years and without bron, he would have to be the man now. He knows it and the pressure will be on his shoulders.

Ive ripped him before for being content to play 3rd banana but he seems to want the challenge of being the man again. Ive said before that him spending his prime years playing 3rd wheel and shooting open jumpers might be a factor in him never being able to be the main man again. But with this move, he knows it will be on him now to carry the team. Whether he can be successful remains to be seen but I like that he is willing to take the chellenge.

I am looking forward to the first Heat/Cavs game this season. I think the Cav's will crush the Heat.

I would have likely done what Bosh did. Take the money and stay put. No moving my family. It is his last contract. Let Riley work out the rest of the roster. I wonder if Miami makes play for Monroe and Deng. Maybe they offer the cap space to SVG to unload Josh Smith and get KCP in the process.

Got a question for everyone, Say the heat sign Deng and the Cavs face the heat in the confrence finals and Cavs roster is the same as it is right now. Who wins that series to go to a nba championship?

Cavs

Jester1534 wrote:Got a question for everyone, Say the heat sign Deng and the Cavs face the heat in the confrence finals and Cavs roster is the same as it is right now. Who wins that series to go to a nba championship?

well right now the heat roster is Mcroberts-Bosh-Granger-Cole- and Deng I guess. Im guessing Wade goes back too, but there's still a lot of stuff for the Heat to do

Bosh and James may have different things that drive them. but they are both in the NBA good guys category...I like both of them. Bosh seems to be a balanced guy who can keep his ego in check, and he is honestly involved in the community (unlike Love's bogus PR coat drive). He's also one of the smartest guys in the NBA...I think he may have been a national honor student in high school.

longstrangetrip wrote:Bosh and James may have different things that drive them. but they are both in the NBA good guys category...I like both of them. Bosh seems to be a balanced guy who can keep his ego in check, and he is honestly involved in the community (unlike Love's bogus PR coat drive). He's also one of the smartest guys in the NBA...I think he may have been a national honor student in high school.

Haha Love could cancer and you would blame him for not doing it sooner

It was 30 million that he would be leaving on the table to go to Houston and for a guy most likely on his last max deal, that is money you just can't make up. It's the same reason Melo is in a standoff between Chicago and NY only his pay cut is 50 million dollars. That is a lot of money to turn down to try to win when there are no guarantees you can win, but you are guaranteed to not get that money back. Combined with the fact that the East has a lot more parity now, a Bosh/Wade Heat led team can still probably be a top 4 seed. Going to Houston was no guarantee of making a conference finals with SA, OKC, LAC and GS in that conference and he'd be taking a pay cut to do so. I'm fine with him staying in Miami. He got paid, he gets to be on probably a top 4 team in the conference and he gets to stay in South Beach which is where he wanted to be the whole time and that is why he signed the instant Riley gave him at least equal money to what the Rockets were offering. Bosh was going to Miami regardless of Lebron as long as the money was there, so it's pretty clear he wants the best of all worlds (money, location and an opportunity to win games) even if it means he can't guarantee himself a title which he couldn't do outside of signing in San Antonio or OKC anyway.