Chris Bosh Says Playing Center is ‘Becoming Natural’


It took time for Chris Bosh to come around on the idea of playing the center position for the Miami Heat — a long time — but he seems to be embracing it, at long last. Bosh says the shift now feels natural. Per ESPN: “When Miami opens the 2012-13 season against the Boston Celtics on Oct. 30, Bosh said he expects to be listed as the starting center. ‘It’s becoming natural to me,’ Bosh said. ‘I have a very unique opportunity to do something very special for myself and my team. I think all the time that you have to evolve and get better. This is me evolving as a player.’ […] In Miami’s amorphous lineup, the 28-year-old Bosh essentially manned the center role in the playoffs, playing next to forwards Udonis Haslem or Shane Battier as opposed to centers Joel Anthony or Ronny Turiaf in each of his nine postseason starts. ‘It kept happening,’ Bosh said. ‘It’s been happening since my rookie year. When I signed in Miami, I said, ‘That’s it. No more 5!’ Next thing I know, I’m there again. And the coaches, I was just listening to what they were saying. They said, ‘We’re a much better team with you at the 5.’ I said, ‘Well … OK.’ Next thing I know we win a championship. It’s like, ‘Well. I’ve done myself a great service. And I’m gonna be at the center.’ There’s really no debating that. I just accept it and see how I can get better at it.’ […] Calling himself a center, however, may take some getting used to. ‘The center, I’ve kind of taken the label off it,’ he said. ‘I just want to be out there playing. I just consider myself a player. I’m gonna play my game, I’m not gonna change up anything, I’m gonna try and improve, and if we’re better with me at the center, then I’m willing to do it.'”