This article was written by Alex Becker, class of 2019.
During the 2010 NBA offseason, the Miami Heat made one of the biggest and best sports moves in history. The team signed on small forward LeBron James, shooting guard Dwyane Wade and power forward Chris Bosh. At the time, the three players were considered the best at playing their positions. Having them all on one team struck terror in the Heat’s opponents, but brought joy to South Florida basketball fans. They were known nation-wide as “The Big Three” and led Miami to four consecutive Finals appearances from 2011-2014, winning in 2012 and 2013. They were truly a force to be reckoned with.
Following their 2014 Finals defeat to Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs, LeBron James opted out of his six year contract to return home to Cleveland.
The Heat spent two years with Wade after James’ departure, but the long-time Heat guard left in the 2016 offseason. Wade signed with his hometown Chicago Bulls after 13 seasons with Miami. Wade won all three of the Heat’s championships, winning the Finals Most Valuable Player award in 2006.
Now, the third and final player of the Big Three will most likely leave South Florida. Chris Bosh has dealt with blood clots since the 2014-15 season, only playing 97 games over the last two seasons. After speculation of Bosh being ready to return in the 2016 postseason, doctors determined he was not yet ready. However, Bosh swore he would return for the start of the 2016-17 season with Miami.
After being on blood thinners since February, Bosh told the media he was “ready to play.” He also said that he would be at the beginning of training camp on Sept. 27. However, he still had to pass a physical.
Sept. 23, four days before training camp, Bosh failed his physical after doctors found traits of clotting. Most people said his career was over. Even Heat President Pat Riley said that Bosh was done, at least with the Heat.
However, Bosh never gave up, “I guess my career in Miami’s done. My career’s not done,” Bosh said Oct. 1, after hearing news that the Heat were waiving him. “There’s 29 other teams, it’s a whole league. One team does not make up the opinion of everything.”
Even though Bosh will never put on a Heat jersey again, he is still on the roster. Riley and the Miami Heat organization decided to delay cutting Bosh until after the playoff deadline of March 1. This way, if Bosh were to sign with another team, he could not play in the playoffs this season.
The Big Three may have been the best basketball dynasty in the history of the NBA, but it is finally at its end. The trio put on a show for South Florida for four seasons, but now the Heat will have to rely on young talent to get them to the Finals. The Heat have a lot of potential in point guard Goran Dragic, small forward Justise Winslow and center Hassan Whiteside, but they lack the experience, and will never replace the Big Three.
