Chris Bosh’s game underwent a major transformation when he signed with the Miami Heat in 2010. Once the undisputed star of the Toronto Raptors, Bosh had to adapt his game to better fit alongside LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. A similar adjustment is currently underway in San Antonio, as the Spurs and LaMarcus Aldridge try to adapt to one another.
Aldridge has to figure out how to be effective while not getting as many touches, and the Spurs have to figure out how to best utilize Aldridge while not compromising their overall team concept on offense. It’s a delicate and difficult process, as Bosh tells Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel (subscription required).
“The transition is the hardest part,” said Bosh, who had to remake his game when he joined LeBron James and Dwyane Wade with the Heat in the 2010 offseason. “Especially with him, he was getting a high volume amount of touches. Frankly, it’s a lot easier to be a team guy then. But now you have to play within the offense and then people are telling you to be aggressive and you don’t know how to do that. It’s going to be a continuous thing. And usually when you figure it out, the season’s over.
“At least that’s how it was for me. I’m sure in that organization, they’re going to try to fast-track him along. But when you’re playing with all that talent, with all those expectations, you got people chirping at you what you should be doing and you know what you need to be doing within the organization, it’s tough.”
Of Miami’s big three, Bosh’s adjustment was by far the biggest. Yet, as difficult as it was, it also made him a better player, not to mention a two-time champion. That’s exactly what the Spurs are hoping for with Aldridge.
Bosh became the idealized version of himself under Erik Spoelstra – increasing his range, improving his passing, and turning into one of the more underrated defenders in the NBA. Aldridge is an elite all-star, but there are areas of his game he can improve. He needs to embrace shooting the three and playing the five a little bit more. He also needs to make his defensive effort more consistent, something Gregg Popovich can help facilitate with just a couple of shrill yells.
It all depends on if Aldridge is willing to do the work, and if he’s patient enough to let the process run its course. If he is, then as Bosh himself showed, the rewards will be immense.
