Chris Bosh: Miami Heat aren’t as talented, need toughness

Nov 20, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) against the Orlando Magic during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) against the Orlando Magic during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Without LeBron James now in Cleveland, there is no doubt the Miami Heat aren’t as talented as they once were.

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Heat big man Chris Bosh admitted they don’t have the same type of talent but thinks the Heat can still contend as long as they improve defensively and on the glass.

“I don’t think we’re as talented as years past, so we’re going to have to make up for it in toughness,” Bosh said via Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders. “Those are the areas that we really have to excel – defense and rebounding. We’re starting to bring that back, focusing on that. Not to say that we weren’t before, but we just had a lot of slippage before. We’re really trying to get back to that, and I think that’s really going to bring us over the top. If we want to be an elite team, defense, rebounding and toughness is really something that we’re going to have to do every night.”

If the Heat are going to remain a contender in the Eastern Conference, is is going to be on Bosh to get them there. He’ll have to look more like the featured scorer he was with the Toronto Raptors than the third fiddle he’s been in Miami.

Bosh averaged 16.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 51.6% from the field, 33.9% from three and 82.0% from the free trow line last season. In his career, he’s averaged 19.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 49.8% from the floor, 31.0% from three and 80.0% from the charity stripe.

Be sure to check FanSided’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league as we close in on the regular season.

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