NBA: Chris Bosh feels ‘revitalized’ with LeBron James gone

Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh told a Miami radio station Friday morning that he was close to leaving South Beach, but feels “revitalized” upon deciding to stay with the Heat as they move into the post-LeBron James era.

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Bosh wound up re-signing with the Heat for five years and $118 million, but delayed his decision until July 12—just hours after news broke that James was returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers after four years with his talents in South Beach.

"“It was close,” Bosh told “The Zaslow and Joy Show” on FM 104.3 The Ticket, per ESPN.com. “I’m not going to lie. It was close. It was a weird situation because we were waiting so long and I didn’t know what was going on.”"

The Houston Rockets pursued Bosh aggressively, but the nine-time NBA All-Star opted to remain in Miami.

"“The longer it dragged out, the more I figured this could happen,” Bosh said. “When it happened, of course I was surprised and shocked and everything. But after awhile, I can understand. I can’t say I’m surprised, but you just move on. It got me excited for the next chapter.”"

Bosh was criticized at times during the Big Three era with the Heat, often the butt of jokes on social media and elsewhere referring to the triumvirate of James, Dwyane Wade and Bosh as “Two and a Half Men.”

But Bosh changed his game significantly in 2013-14 to become a legitimate threat from 3-point range. Last season, he attempted 218 3-pointers after trying just 302 in his first 10 seasons. Bosh hit 33.9 percent from deep.

One question is whether Bosh, 29, can be the same go-to player he was five years ago in Toronto, when he averaged 24 points and 10.8 rebounds in his final season for the Raptors in 2009-10. With James gone and Wade dogged by chronic knee problems, any hopes Miami has moving forward would seem to center on Bosh.

He has averaged 17.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in four years with the Heat.

"“I think we have a very good team,” Bosh said. “Looking at the guys we’re bringing in, we have a chance to be very good. I know we don’t have the best player in the world; that’s an obvious thing. But teamwise, if we come together we can do a bunch of special things. We’re still going to be competitive.“It gives us an opportunity to play with a chip on our shoulder. It has revitalized my attitude toward basketball a little bit. And I’m really excited.”"

The Heat have retained Bosh, Wade, Mario Chalmers, Norrie Cole and Chris Andersen while adding veterans Luol Deng, Danny Granger and Josh McRoberts along with rookie Shabazz Napier.