The conversation was about connection.
Forward Chris Bosh approached teammate LeBron James on Friday night during the Heat's return flight from New Orleans and wanted to talk -- a simple chat between new friends, friends who still had a lot to learn about each other. It was about basketball, but it was also about bonding. Six games into this grand experiment and things were not happening as easily for Bosh as he had originally envisioned.
``I was just honest,'' Bosh said. ``I get a little lost out there because it's different.''
Bosh's numbers are down to begin the season, but he insists that finding himself on the court among his new teammates cannot be measured by statistics. Bosh was averaging 13.3 points and 5.5 rebounds before Saturday's win over the Nets.
He's not the offensive funnel he once was in Toronto -- where he averaged over 22 points in his final five seasons with the Raptors -- but said that doesn't matter.
Publicly, Bosh has said the only statistic he cares about is winning. The Heat (5-2) did not win Friday night and Bosh's reticent demeanor on the court was an obvious factor in the game's outcome.
LACKING AGGRESSION
``I've kind of been on my heels for the first part of the season, so I'm starting to figure it out; it's starting to come to me,'' he said after Saturday's 101-89 victory against the Nets. ``But at the end of the day, I just have to be aggressive. That's what it's all about.''
A day before Saturday's win, Bosh had 15 points but only one rebound and was thoroughly outplayed by Hornets' forward Emeka Okafor, who had 26 points and 13 rebounds.
Afterward, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra voiced his displeasure with his team's energy level and lack of aggressiveness.
Bosh took the constructive criticism to heart. He was lost and needed to improve. He had to reestablish his former self but also find his new role playing alongside James and Dwyane Wade. He needed to have that conversation with James, the team's catalyst.
``I wanted to talk to [James] and really just get to know each other, really,'' Bosh said. ``I think that's an important process of team-building. You have to know the guy who's standing next to you.
``We have a system but at the same time when the game is happening so fast, sometimes I just get lost. I don't know whether to cut, whether to go, whether to get back and playing with those two talented guys . . . it happens real fast. So, I just let [James] know that.''
source: Miami Heat's Bosh, James trying to find a good connection - Miami Heat - MiamiHerald.com
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