“Thank you Miami” letter from Chris Bosh chronicles his time with the Heat

Chris Bosh, former power forward of the Miami Heat, thanked Miami for giving him so many rich experiences outside of the basketball world.

When I arrived in Miami, I was just hoping for glory and mention amongst the immortals of basketball. What I got was so much more.

You can read the letter, in its entirety, on his web site at chrisbosh.com. After the ups and downs that relationships invariably have, the team and Chris finally have the closure they both justly deserve.

Wow, what a ride! I’ve been reflecting on my time in this great city and want to thank you for being a constant during a period of change in my life. I’ve experienced a few finals appearances, a couple of championships, several weddings (including my own), the birth of four kids, bonding with an entire community and a ton of ups and downs along the way.

The feelings are mutual, because Miami had an amazing ride as well during his seemingly brief stay in a Heat uniform. At one time, which seems like so long ago, the team featured the best power forward, small forward, and shooting guard in the NBA, with Bosh, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade on the court together. But that was only the basketball side of their stay by the beach.

HEAT CULTURE IS MORE THAN BASKETBALL

The guys in that locker room always made me feel special. We helped each other through life because we were more than just teammates.

Three kids from Texas, Ohio and Illinois, brought together by the master impresario Pat Riley, pooled their immense talents for an once-in-a-lifetime experience in South Florida. They formed an identity and culture, that included a mixture of both love and hate, which cast Miami as a diverse melting pot and one of the sports capitals of the United States, if not indeed, the world.

Thanks for coming to the games and cheering us on to win. Making you proud was a priority every time we stepped out on the court.

Miami fans say thank you and your memorable teammates, besides the “Big 3”, such as “Super” Mario Chalmers and the “Birdman,” Chris Andersen . Today’s team has a vastly different look and feel, but Heat Culture survives under the careful eyes of the Arison clan, Riley and coach “Spo,” Erik Spoelstra.

And then came not being able to play the game I love, the game that I’ve spent a lifetime working to master and evolve with and find success in. I was very upset for a long time. They say you just have to play the cards that you’re dealt and that’s another lesson I truly understand now.

Miami was also upset that it couldn’t bring home more NBA Finals trophies during Bosh’s tenure in town. Not having an All-Star power forward in the lineup felt crappy. As Spo makes a fresh start with some Philly Swag, a North Carolina snapchat king, a Euro point guard, a MMA champion, a surfer, among others, there is one constant ingredient: Florida native UD40, Udonis Haslem.

We went through life together, Miami. You showed me how to stay strong and push through in the toughest moments. And although I didn’t like it at the time, it made all the difference in the long run. It made me a better man, the person I am today. Thank you.

When the Miami Heat hangs its fourth championship banner in the rafters, the memory of the previous banners will remind us of surviving through the lean years, after the miracle that was Wade, O’Neal, James, Bosh. When that ceremony happens, hopefully they will be there to reflect on the unforgettable past, and savor again, the sweet taste of success.