First things first: There's a very simple explanation for why Chris Bosh chose to sign with the Heat back in August as opposed to leaving Miami and signing with the Rockets. And it had just about everything to do with the money that Miami was willing to pay him. Houston could only offer him a four-year, $88 million deal, while Miami made him a five-year, $118 million offer that he simply couldn't refuse.
But according to Bosh, his decision was about more than just money. In addition to considering the financial ramifications of signing with Houston over Miami, he also thought about the pressure—so much pressure—that would have come along with him joining James Harden and Dwight Howard down in Houston.
"I could see where people would think that's an attractive site," Bosh said last night after a Heat win over the Nets. "[The Rockets] were trying to win right away. And I was really happy to be touted that I possibly could've been out there. But you know, that doesn't guarantee anything, and I know that. All that guarantees is a bunch of pressure."
Bosh also said that his familiarity with the city of Miami played a role in him choosing to stay with the Heat.
"I'm familiar with people," he said. "I know how to get to work. And if there's traffic, I know the shortcuts. It's those small things that I really love about the city and I love about being comfortable that guided me back. And you know, if you can make a couple of dollars on the side, then it works out."
"A couple of dollars"? Ha. An extra $30 million is hardly "a couple of dollars." But outside of the money, Bosh is right when he talks about the extra pressure that would have come with playing with the Rockets. Plus, he would have been the third wheel on a championship contender again, which is something that he didn't particularly enjoy when he played alongside LeBron James and Dwyane Wade for the last four years. So in the end, it sounds like Miami was the perfect place for him.
[via CBS Sports]
