Chris Bosh, power forward for the Miami Heat, lost more than a game to the Chicago Bulls; he also cashed in a little bit of his credibility. During the waning moments of the third quarter, members of both teams were scrambling for a loose ball. As Bosh leaned over to grab the skittering rock, Bulls center Omer Asik dove to the floor. The Heat forward's foot came down in the wrong place at the wrong time: squarely beneath Asik's flailing form, resulting in a sore ankle (and possible sprain) for Bosh. To the replay:
As you can see, the two players appear to make amends almost immediately on the court. But the story doesn't end there.
Bosh later made comments to ESPN's Brian Windhorst implying that Asik had exhibited reckless judgement in going for the ball, saying:
C'mon, that is how guys get hurt, that is how serious injuries happen. You've got to watch people's legs. I know guys want to hustle and everything but we all want to play and provide for our families and have a job. ... If it is by somebody's leg, don't dive for the ball, it's too close."
Nevermind that the ball wasn't near anyone's legs when it got loose -- and even when Asik went into his dive. Bosh put his legs near the ball. What's worse, Bosh's comment about providing for his family rings particularly hollow considering that he's signed to a $100+ million guaranteed contract. The Miami forward could retire tomorrow and provide for his family, and several others, quite nicely, thanks.
As is to be expected, Bosh's comments drew the ire of many, many Bulls fans. Complaining about an injury is bad enough but, in effect, blaming it on opposing player who's making tens of millions less and fighting to hold his spot in the league is a whole 'nother level of lame. And, obviously, it doesn't help that Bosh already plays for the most despised team in the NBA.
In fact, one wonders whether he didn't make the comment to promote the Heat's burgeoning, self-proclaimed villainous image. Or perhaps he just feels free to say anything that comes to mind given the fact that so few fans no one outside of South Beach likes his team anyway.
In any case, chalk up another reason to celebrate the Bulls win on Saturday (as well as their victory today vs. the Memphis Grizzlies.) And look forward to the Heat's return to the United Center on Feb. 24.