Miami Heat Retire Chris Bosh’s Jersey

Chris Bosh revolutionized the way a stretch-forward/center played the game of basketball; it was unlike anyone before him at his position. At halftime in the the Miami Heat’s contest against the Orlando Magic on March 26, the franchise hoisted his No. 1 jersey up to the rafters.

Bosh  joins Tim Hardaway Sr., (No. 10), Shaquille O’Neal (No. 32) and Alonzo Mourning (No. 33) as the Heat legends to have their numbers retired.

A fourth-overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, Bosh started out his illustrious career with the Toronto Raptors where he spent his first seven seasons before he was traded to the Heat in July of 2010 which formed the “Big 3” with longtime friends Dwayne Wade and LeBron James. Bosh was a six-time NBA all-star with the Raptors and led them to the postseason in 2006-07 and in 2007-08.

Coming to the Heat gave Bosh a real shot at winning a title which he accomplished twice. In his time in Miami, he was also a six-time NBA all-star.

He extended his shooting range from behind the arc – something not many 6-foot-11 forwards could do. He averaged a career-high 4.19 three-pointers per game in what would be his final season in 2015-16.

Bosh’s passion for the game and energy was unmatched when he was on the court dunking the ball with authority and belting out a yell afterword to get everyone out of their seats.

A career cut short due to blood clots will undoubtedly lead Bosh one day to Springfield, Massachusetts, where he will assume his rightful spot in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.