Monday, October 11th, 2010 at 8:00 am | 153 responses

Top 50: Chris Bosh, no. 13

The definitive ranking of the NBA’s best players.

by Adam Figman / @afigman

Chris Bosh was in a fortunate, enviable place this past June. As a free agent in a buyer’s market, he’d be getting paid. A wide range of teams and players wanted him on their side, so he’d have his pick of wherever he felt he’d have the best chance of winning a title. After uniting with one superstar, a second decided to join, and the pieces were in place. You remember this, I imagine.

Before he brought his respective talents to South Beach, the first knock against Chris was that he didn’t deserve max money—that he hasn’t proven he’s good enough to hold the top spot on a competing team, so top dollars he didn’t deserve. Fair enough. The deepest a Bosh-led crew has traveled in postseason action is the first round, and with plenty of assistance (Hedo Turkoglu, Andrea Bargnani, José Calderón and Jarrett Jack) in ’09-10, the Raptors failed to make the Playoffs. (CB4 averaged 24 and 11, both career highs, during the season.) If a squad that stacked can’t get out of the Lottery, perhaps the Dallas-raised 26 year old wasn’t bred to be a Head Captain, a surround-him-with-a-supporting-cast-and-you’re-set kind of guy. He puts up numbers, but leadership might not be his strong suit. Maybe he’s better off as a Robin.

Hold that thought.

So this summer he went to play with his buddies Dwyane and LeBron in Florida—where each member of the triumvirate signed $100 million-plus deals. And there’s the fashionable second knock against him: that he (and his superfriends) wimped out, choosing pleasure and fun over competition and adversity. A just critique of LBJ and DWade’s choices, both of whom have to protect legacies that’ll remain relevant far beyond their tenures on the court. But for Bosh, it wasn’t only the most exciting move; it was the most logical one. If the Heat fail, it’s no longer on him, an adjustment that’ll lift what was clearly a burdensome weight off his back. And when they succeed it’ll be in large part due to his contribution, as the third option is still a vital one on a contender—especially one so devoid of weapons beyond its starting lineup.

Now he’s finagled himself into this ideal arrangement, where he can fulfill his long-awaited destiny. At times he’ll step up and be the man, which he’s shown he can do on occasion. But for the most part, James and Wade will be the stars, while Bosh will be utilized as a glorified role player on a team able to use a five-time All Star as a freakin’ role player. He’ll be great at it, and if you think there’s a chance Miami as a whole won’t also be great, you’re probably overlooking the skill set this guy brings to the table.

Some were confused as to why the lanky power forward was so desired this offseason, which might stem from how difficult his game is to pin down. As far as bigs go, he can’t shoot like Dirk; can’t finish like Amar’e; can’t body folks like Dwight and Shaq; and doesn’t have a trademark like Tim’s post-game or KG’s intensity. Bosh fits slyly in between all of ‘em. Guard him close? He’ll blow by you. Leave him open? He’ll bury the J. Give him a little space? He’ll shoot over you. Dude can take slow-footed fours and fives off the dribble, can pound smaller defenders down low, and can gracefully knock down open or contested jumpers when tested to do so. It all makes him a boring superhero (how many kids do you think have Chris Bosh jerseys hanging on their walls?), but a perfect sidekick, one who can do what’s needed, however necessary.

Which is all to say that his location in our Top 50 is perfect. To be straight up, he doesn’t belong in the Top 10—not if he can’t be the first option on a playoff team. He sat at this exact ranking last year, and had he brought his squad to the postseason and put together a strong run, he probably would’ve cracked single digits this go-around. He didn’t, but his solid personal output gave us no reason to slide him down.

That said, I don’t know if 13 suits him anymore. As of late he’s been pretty damn lucky.

SLAMonline TOP 50 PLAYERS			OVERALL RANK		POSITION RANK
Player	Team	Position	2010	2009	2010	2009
Ray Allen	Celtics	SG	50	36	10	9
Gilbert Arenas	Wizards	SG	49	34	9	8
Lamar Odom	Lakers	PF	48	33	14	10
John Wall	Wizards	PG	47	NR	13	NR
OJ Mayo	Grizzlies	SG	46	46	8	12
Al Horford	Hawks	C	45	NR	6	NR
Jason Kidd	Mavs	PG	44	45	12	10
Joakim Noah	Bulls	C	43	NR	5	NR
LaMarcus Aldridge	Blazers	PF	42	39	13	12
David West	Hornets	PF	41	31	12	8
Monta Ellis	Warriors	SG	40	NR	7	NR
Andrew Bogut	Bucks	C	39	NR	4	NR
Yao Ming	Rockets	C	38	NR	3	NR
Brandon Jennings	Bucks	PG	37	NR	11	NR
Zach Randolph	Grizzlies	PF	36	NR	11	NR
Stephen Curry	Warriors	PG	35	NR	10	NR
David Lee	Warriors	PF	34	NR	10	NR
Brook Lopez	Nets	C	33	NR	2	NR
Gerald Wallace	Bobcats	SF	32	NR	7	NR
Manu Ginobili	Spurs	SG	31	29	6	7
Tony Parker	Spurs	PG	30	15	9	3
Kevin Garnett	Celtics	PF	29	13	9	3
Rudy Gay	Grizzlies	SF	28	44	6	9
Josh Smith	Hawks	PF	27	40	8	13
Andre Iguodala	76ers	SG	26	26	5	6
Al Jefferson	Jazz	PF	25	23	7	7
Russell Westbrook	Thunder	PG	24	NR	8	NR
Chauncey Billups	Nuggets	PG	23	19	7	5
Tyreke Evans	Kings	PG	22	NR	6	NR
Danny Granger	Pacers	SF	21	21	5	5
Carlos Boozer	Bulls	PF	20	32	6	9
Paul Pierce	Celtics	SF	19	17	4	4
Joe Johnson	Hawks	SG	18	20	4	4
Rajon Rondo	Celtics	PG	17	27	5	8
Amar’e Stoudemire	Knicks	PF	16	16	5	6
Steve Nash	Suns	PG	15	22	4	6
Tim Duncan	Spurs	PF	14	6	4	1
Chris Bosh	Heat	PF	13	13	3	4

Notes
• Rankings are based solely on projected ’10-11 performance.
• Contributors to this list include: Jeremy Bauman, Maurice Bobb, Erildas Budraitis, Sean Ceglinsky, Ben Collins, Bryan Crawford, Sandy Dover, Adam Figman, Manny Maduakolam, Eddie Maisonet, Ryne Nelson, Doobie Okon, Ben Osborne, Charles Peach, Branden Peters, Quinn Peterson, David Schnur, Todd Spehr, Kyle Stack, Adam Sweeney, Dennis Tarwood, Tracy Weissenberg, Lang Whitaker, Eric Woodyard, and Nima Zarrabi.
• Want more of the SLAMonline Top 50? Check out the archive.

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Tags: Chris Bosh, Features, Miami Heat, SLAMonline Top 50

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slick ric

Rankings are based solely on projected ‘10-11 performance.
lexluther703

You’re an absolute joke if you don’t believe Derrick Rose will be a top 12 player in the league this year. Being the best player on a team who’s poised to challenge for an eastern conference title is part of the reason for his top 12 placement, not including the fact that he’s a top 5 pg already and that he’s an all star and a gold-medal winner. Smitty @ 9:56 you’re an idiot. “Not top 7 on the B-Deem team?” Kill yourself twice.

As for Bosh, one of the most overrated players in the league, nothing more than a third banana.
SpaceJam

Too much d rose hating. He doesn’t deserve any of it. Talent-wise, he can match just about any player in the league. This is the year he takes off into superstardom if he hasn’t already. So stop hating, Talkin to you Harry Twatter. Amen airs. I agree with Egnimatic.
http://bulls.com Harry Twatter

@ SpaceJam Hmmm did you just say i was HATING ON DERRICK ROSE? Omfg why so many stupid people why??? Dude read what i was saying again and again until your reading comprehension passes a 3rd grade level. I was obviously showing respect to Rose and dissing those that disagree lol.
Bruno

hey guys focus the discussion on Bosh and how he’s way too high in this ranking
http://bulls.com airs

that wasnt me the 2nd time btw
http://www.bulls.com Enigmatic

@Harry Twatter – I think your 11:36 AM post when you qouted t-sizzle probably confused SpaceJam. I got what you were saying though. Nice username BTW.
http://www.twitter.com/TheDiesel Anton

If Duncan is a convenience store on your way to work, Bosh is the over-priced grocery store next to it. Sure, it looks nicer on the outside but you realize that the convenience store had a steady choice of products for a fair price.
Still don’t get this “Bosh is a quick slasher” myth. He’s long and does get to the rim but I can finish KFC’s Double Down sandwhich and get my cholesterol checked in the time it takes Bosh to take his first step to the basket.
Blackphantom

hahahahaha dang Anton that was cold
http://theurbangriot.com The Nupe

I’m actually surprised that Bosh isn’t higher on the list. With Bron and Wade on the team, he will have an easier time this year than any other time in his career. IF TD/Amare/KG was on this years Heat, then any of them would deserve a higher spot. However, with Bosh’s talents (nobody in their right mind can say he isn’t very good/great) and how much easier this year will be for him I would put him in the top 10. Not because I think he’s one of the 10 best players in the L, but because I think he’ll have a great year because of what’s around him. TD/KG will have limited minutes which will reduce thier production, Amare will get a lot of minutes but will be doubled and doesn’t have Nash anymore. Boozer/Smith aren’t as good as Bosh (in my opinion) and they don’t have the weapons around them. So, outside of Dirk, Bosh should have a better year than any other PF and that should put him higher on the list, not lower.
backboard

i wont argue CB´s placing on the list since i could care less where he lands. Its just a list, made up by a couple of writers and everyone has their own opinion and thats fine. BUT this was a very very weak write up and explanation of why Bosh is where he is on this list. Mr. Figman wrote more about the new Heat trio than anything else, which is not importance to the article. Sometimes i am just amazed at the stuff Slam puts out there……. just my opinion of course. Good day!
TrailBlazing&SportingLisbon

hes in his prime and the Fundamental isnt, but its tough to see him ahead of Timmy, HOWEVER, is an awsome offensive player and good rebounder…I should stop talkin bout Rose cause I like him a lot, but im not hating on him, IM HATING ON SLAM, ITS ABSURD ROSE BEING top 12, he still has flaws all over the place…
backboard

*of importance
http://slamonline.com tealish

Never been a fan of Bosh, but there’s nothing too much to gripe about him having the No. 13 spot.
He’ll never be a franchise player — doesn’t have what it takes. But a top 13 talent? I don’t know, but maybe.
What I know we’re supposed to ignore and for now, not comment on just yet, is Derrick Rose’s placement……….but……….come on…………just saying.
http://thetroyblog.com Teddy-the-Bear

Okay, WHERE THE FLACK IS DERRICK ROSE?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://thetroyblog.com Teddy-the-Bear

20 and 6 gets you in the Top 12 (!) ahead of 24 and 11……… Good to know.
t-sizzle

cosign trailblazing, teddy, and those not too caught up in the hype
http://Slamonline.com Nbk

Ok slam are you really tryna say Derrick Rose is going to “chris Paul year 3″ the NBA?
http://sdklff.com Jukai

I can’t wait for Anton to start writing
http://brimOsOlow@aol.com CHICAGO SAID IT YUP

lets be real would i rather have derrick rose on my team over chris bosh? YES would i rather have him over an old tim duncan on his last leg? YES would i rather have him over a 36 year old steve nash? YES would i rather have him over rondo? HELL YES! slam is getting it right haters
http://slamonline.com nbk

yeah you would rather have him for the future. but would you rather have him THIS season? I wouldn’t, not over Nash that’s for sure. But hey, i’m a fan of winning
Brandon

Nbk what has Nash actually won, but we won’t delve into the past. This year can you seriously say with the talent Derrick Rose has compared to what Nash has with the lost of Stoudemire that you would take him over this season. We are not talking about career stats, we are referring to this year alone.
Brandon

And before anyone says he is a two time MVP I understand that but I mean by winning in the team aspect for the suns. Once again I want to reinstate “we are talking about this year.”
http://slamonline.com nbk

Well Nash has been further in the playoffs then Rose, last year for instance. Nash has a higher PER, his teams win more games every season. And Rose is only in his 3rd year so to think he will jump from a very good but not great PG to a top 11 player in the whole league is a stretch IMO. And like I said on Nash’s page, he really has only lost to Duncan, Shaq, Kobe, and Dirk in his career as a starter. (maybe the kings and timberwolves “garnett” “cwebb” i don’t exactly remember). its not like he goes out and loses to crap teams. Rose to me has to prove he can be the cause of 50 wins and atleast one playoff round victory before you put him infront of a guy with 10 straight playoff appearances, 4(?)Conference Finals Appearances (one last season), 2 MVP’s (whether he deserved them or not), and plays in a tougher conference. but hey if we only judge guys by championships then the top 10 should be Boston’s starting five followed by the Lakers.
http://www.bulls.com Enigmatic

I said it before and I’ll say it again – Steve Nash getting as many regular-season MVP awards as Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal COMBINED is just a freakin’ injustice on the highest scale.
http://slamonline.com nbk

well yeah, but just like shaq and kobe i bet nash would trade his 2 MVP’s for their 3-peat
Aaron

Nice write-up Adam, although I don’t see a stacked team in Hedo Turkoglu, Andrea Bargnani, José Calderón and Jarrett Jack. Bosh is right where he should be ranked. But once the season gets underway, he’ll deserve to be higher. People are greatly underestimating the impact he’ll have on the Heat this season. CB is just as consistent as the other two. His role will be just as valuable as Wade or James’. You heard it here.
http://brimOsOlow@aol.com CHICAGO SAID IT YUP

cmon man nash getting 1 MVP cool. he had a great season when better players were on lesser teams. Nash getting back to back as in historic relevance? BULL****. it was only because the media fell in love with the run and gun suns and said they would win a title.Nash doesnt get criticized as other superstars does. Lebron wins 2 mvps back to back and is ridiculed for losing while NASH HAS NEVER EVEN MADE THE FINALS! but he is just a fun-loving canadian who plays soccer and lets be honest most mainstream white fans can relate to him. So he gets a pass on criticism that 2 time MVPs normally get!Dont get me wrong he is a helluva player just not in the same class as many of the greats they put him up there with, and certainly not 2 TIME MVP great. oh and YES id rather have rose this year
http://www.bulls.com Enigmatic

OK Rose has never had the type of players on his team that Nash has been blessed with. Dirk Nowitzki, Michael Finley, Amare Stoudemire, Shawn Marion, just to name a few. Rose has had who? Ben Gordon? Kirk Hinrich? Joakim is just barely coming along and we just got Boozer. How about coaches? Don Nelson, Mike D’Antoni or Vinny Del Negro? You can’t say “Nash has gone further in the playoffs before and that’s why he should be ahead of Rose next year”. Everything Nash and Rose have done up to this point is irrelevant for these rankings. Is Rose a better player than Nash right now? I honestly believe so. I think Nash is getting up there in age and his minutes will be reduced, thanks in part to Dragic’s emergence. And I think, quite frankly, Rose is set to blow the f*ck up this season.
http://slamonline.com nbk

i’m not concerned with whether or not he deserved the MVP awards. I’m more focused on the fact that he has produced more wins in every conceivable way then Derrick Rose. And I don’t see any reason other then basing a judgement off of potential to think Rose will be more helpful to his team this season then Nash. If potential dictated effectiveness wouldn’t JR Smith be on this list? I’m not saying Rose is not a top 50 or even top 20 player, I am saying he is not going to help his team win more then Nash, or Duncan. (Bosh, probably but just because of his role compared to bosh’s, not because he’s a “better player”)
http://slamonline.com nbk

If I had to pick a player going forward, or even for the next 2 years I would pick Rose. But if you said alright we have an 82 game season and HAVE to make the playoffs who you take Rose or Nash. I say Nash and it would be without hesitation.
Brandon

Great post NBK and I can understand from the basis you are coming from. I will go into more when the actual article for Rose comes out but as far as Bosh goes, he will be productive for his team because he will allow the floor to be spread for the Big 3 because of his perimeter game. He will not produce as high as he did in Toronto of course, but he will be key in a number of games just because of the pressure that James and Wade will take off of him each and every game.
JTaylor21

Enigmatic is right, DRose has never had the kind of teammates and offense that Nash has his entire career. Imagine the kind of numbers Rose could put up in a PHX style offense, it would be downright scary. Look at Nash’s Dal numbers with a slower pace and compare them to Rose’s first 2 years. I’ve said before that Rose is going to have a MONSTER third season and will make a lot of doubters on this site look stupid.
http://slamonline.com nbk

Bosh also could be substituted with Troy Murphy and it wouldn’t make much of a difference. That was my point about him having a lesser role
http://slamonline.com nbk

I’m not doubting his skills. I merely asked as my first post on this thread, does Slam really think Rose is gonna blow up this year like CP did in his 3rd year? (well actually he just straight blew up, but year 3 was his almost MVP campaign). I think he will have a very solid season, like 22 and 7 or 8, chicago will win between 49-53 games. I think Phoenix (who is less talented then chicago) will win between 44-50 games relying more heavily then last year on Nash. (Nash’s diet and health is taken care of so much more diligently then any superstar/player in NBA history, betting on a decline in production because of his age is getting overblown. infact he really hasn’t slowed down at all since his age first came into question, before he won his first MVP award)
The Fresh Prince of Nsam

Again good write-up AdaM, 4 a very contested player.
JTaylor21

^^Come on SON!!!!! Troy F*cking Murphy is the same as Bosh, you’re joking right? There’s no way that the Heat can be successful and win a chip this season with Murphy in the lineup and not Bosh. People are failing to see just how good CB1 is, he’s one of the best mid-range shooting big, great rebounder and at least gives effort on the defensive end. There’s a reason why he was chosen before DWade in the draft.
http://slamonline.com nbk

yeah potential. Troy Murphy is a better shooter and rebounder then Bosh, bosh is a better one on one scorer (not needed in miami) and better defender (except when he guards centers). also, I said it wouldn’t make MUCH of a difference. I didn’t say it wouldn’t make a difference.
http://thetroyblog.com Teddy-the-Bear

Co-sign JT.
The Fresh Prince of Nsam

@max 11:09, good observation
http://www.bulls.com Enigmatic

Yeah, that Murphy/Bosh thing is definitely a stretch
bashmo

lmaooooo!!! ROSE OVER BOSH?? WTFFFF
If Rose and Gasol are not 12 and 11 in that order I’m going jump off the nearest building
http://slamonline.com nbk

I did not say they would win a title with murphy lol. I was just saying Bosh’s role in Miami victories will not be merely as important as Rose’s in Chicago. (I also said Bosh is better then Rose). It was just an example to seperate (best player on a team) from (3rd best player on a team) in terms of contribution to wins. Not championships, Rose isn’t gonna win a championship this year, he isn’t even in contention so IDK why it jumped to that.
http://www.bulls.com Enigmatic

@bashmo – at least Rose has the balls to step up and take command and leadership of his team, unlike Bosh.
jonny

All those who have argued that Derrick Rose having such a high position is justified simply aren’t making any sense. They claim that based on past stats, and projected “potential” future stats he will be a monster.

Taking this into account, shouldn’t Tyreke Evans be far ahead of Rose in ranking and quite possibly a top 5 player in the league. In his lone season, as a rookie he put up better numbers than Rose has in any season of his career. According to you, doesn’t this mean he is a better player at the moment, and also one with a greater upside?

Also, co-sign cb4. I wouldn’t say he was the worst on the B team, but if they were to remake the squad I think there is no way he would crack the starting line up and would probably be left off the team altogether.

And for those fools saying Rose is a top 5 pg, get real.

Cp3, Williams, Nash, Rondo, T parker are all definitively better, and other PGs who I think are better and that you can easily make an argument for are Billups, Westbrook, Evans, Gil Arenas, and Baron Davis.

I think when talking about “potential” Steph Curry and John Wall can also be included in the discussion.

D Rose is quick and athletic with “ok” decision making skills, but until he buys a jumpshot and learns to play D, I cannot consider him a top PG. Right now his legacy will be a poor mans Steve Francis.
TrailBlazing&SportingLisbon

lol at bashmo, but Gasol should be right next to Dwight Howard, hes better on offense the same amount D12 is better on D…Pau´s the best big out there although I´d pick Dwight to start a franshise obviously.
http://www.bulls.com Enigmatic

Baron Davis over Derrick Rose? Come on, son…come on. For real?
TrailBlazing&SportingLisbon

@Jonny, I agree with most of what you said..but Arenas and BDiddy have no room is this conversation…ROSE IS A YOUNG GOOD QUIET LEADER, EXCELENT SPEED AND ATHLETICISM GOING TO THE RIM, GOOD FINISHING SKILL, SO SO JUMPER…on the other hand he is very bad on defense (strange cause he got the athletic ability to be very good) and a not very good playmaker, also he draws a very low ammount of faul shots, all this can be improved but hes not top 15 by any measure possible.
http://Bulls.com C-Lo_The_Great

@Jonny
I mean this with the upmost respect, but you my friend are an idiot. Have you even seen Rose play? Rose doesn’t need to buy jumpshot, he already has one of the best mid range games in the L. I can’t believe you hace Tony Parker ahead of Rose. That’s hilarious. This isn’t 2006 sorry buddy.
http://www.bulls.com Enigmatic

@TrailBlazing – I know your comment was directed at Jonny, but I need to say I hear you on Rose’s deficiencies (sp?) But to be fair, no coach has every pushed Rose on the defensive end like I believe Thibs will. Now, I’m not saying I’m sure he’s gonna go out and be a beast on defense this next year, alls I’m saying is this time next year we might be talking about how much he’s improved defensively.

Top 50: Chris Bosh, no. 13

The definitive ranking of the NBA’s best players.

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