Chris Bosh isn’t bored.
After a decade in the NBA, one can only imagine how mundane being a superstar is (yeah, right). Luckily for us, 10 years into his career, Bosh doesn’t find what he does dull or unintelligible. It’s “never boring.”
His secret? Playing center.
Bosh says having to deal with bigger centers “keeps the spice in my relationship with basketball. My job is never boring.”
— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) May 27, 2013
A power forward in the conventional sense, Bosh has played more center over his career than any other position. In fact, seven out of his 10 seasons saw him spend more minutes at the 5 than the 4.
Standing at 6’10” and weighing in at 228 pounds, Bosh isn’t you’re traditional center. He’s a stretch forward turned 5. In the undersized age of the NBA, that’s not a huge deal. Plenty of teams run small, just not all of them.
Here’s where the excitement comes in.
When going up against a team like the Indiana Pacers, Bosh is forced to battle down low on the defensive end opposite the 7’2″ goliath that is Roy Hibbert. He has four inches and 50 pounds on Bosh. How is that not interesting?
Watching Bosh attempting to body up on Hibbert (or any other tower, for that matter) when the Miami Heat haven’t sent any help defenders borders on comical. Not because Bosh can’t hold his own (he can), but because of the size different.
Bosh isn’t supposed to be a center, yet he’s spent most of his professional career there. And he’s embraced it, which you have to appreciate. So much is made of the sacrifices that Dwyane Wade (and even LeBron James) had to make when coming to South Beach; not enough is made of what Bosh has done.
He hasn’t just sacrificed his role (third offensive option) or statistical value; he’s put his body on the line. Though he did the same with the Toronto Raptors, more than most people realize, this is different. With the Raptors, he was the man. He was their end-all, be-all. In Miami, he’s not recognized for his out-of-position prowess nearly as much. His willingness to play out of position is showcased more than it was in Toronto, but it’s hardly as revered.
Also going unnoticed is how he hasn’t let playing center lure him into an offensive trap.
Spending most of his time at the 5, it would have been all too easy for him to resort to excessive low-post tactics. While he’s developed a more polished back to the basket game, he hasn’t lost his outside touch. Which is huge. Why? Because it’s one of his greatest advantages. He also wouldn’t stand a chance playing exclusively in the post. Not with his wiry frame.
When Bosh stretches a guy like Hibbert out beyond his defensive range (like past the free-throw line), it’s both hysterical and ingenious. He can score off the dribble, a move that many altruistic big men (like Hibbert) can’t defend.
He can also drill the deep ball. Bosh attempted a career-high one three-pointer a night during the regular season and is now currently hoisting up two per game during the playoffs. Hibbert can’t defend that. He’s not supposed to.
Bosh isn’t supposed to be playing center, though. He should be manning the 4. But that wouldn’t be entertaining. Facing opponents bigger than he spices things up.
So here’s to never being tall, rich, thin and bored.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.
