Chris Bosh.

BY SPORTSNET STAFF
sportsnet.ca

Former Toronto Raptor Chris Bosh is frustrated about his perception as the third wheel on the Miami Heat.

While making an appearance on ESPN Radio’s The Scott Van Pelt Show on Tuesday, Bosh admitted the constant scrutiny from the media and criticisms of his contributions compared to teammates LeBron James and Dwayne Wade wore on him last season.

“Well, I mean we are human,” Bosh said. “That stuff kind of bums you out a lot. You try to have thick skin.”

From the onset of Miami’s off-season reconstruction last summer, Bosh was a beacon of criticism after leaving Toronto, where he became a six-time all-star since being drafted fourth overall in 2003, in favour of teaming-up and tagging along with two of the game’s best players in South Beach.

Despite a respectable year that included a trip to the NBA Finals and yet another all-star nomination, Bosh was an easy target for pundits and fans alike and admits the constant negativity took its toll.

“You eventually reach your tipping point where it gets to you,” he said. “I know me, myself, I reached it a bunch of times.”

Although he was called soft, lazy, overrated and almost every other insult in the book during his first season as part of the “Big Three”, Bosh plans to put all that behind him and instead focus on his game.

“It’s hard, it’s tough, but it makes you better,” he said. “That’s all I really care about.”

Bosh’s 18.7 points per game in 2010-11 was his lowest total since his sophomore year, while his rebound and assist numbers were also among the worst of his career.

By Eric Nelson, WCCO-TV

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — They are known as the “Heatles” and they’ve become NBA rock stars Miami’s threesome of Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh garner attention where ever they go.

The Heat take on the lowly Timberwolves Friday night at the Target Center.

Check out Eric Nelson’s report above.

Dwayne Wade hounded Kobe Bryant all game long as the Miami Heat beat the Los Angeles Lakers 94-88 on Thursday night. Miami ended a five-game losing skid at the expense of the defending NBA Champions who had their nine-game winning streak ended.

Chris Bosh, who earlier said that he wanted the ball more often, scored 24 points to pace the Heat. Wade had 20 points, eight of them in the fourth quarter on top of forcing Bryant into taking bad shots and costly turnovers. LeBron James came up with a near triple-double performance, finishing with 19 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists.

With their second victory in as many games over the Lakers for a sweep this season, the Heat has secured a playoff spot.

Bryant finished with 24 points but he was 8 of 21 from the field. Pau Gasol added 20 points while Andrew Bynum had a double-double night with 13 points and 12 rebounds.

Former Olympics teammates Wade and Bryant played hard in the final quarter but the Miami star got the better of their matchup. Wade stole off Bryant in the last two minutes to set up James for the go-ahead basket.

Get the latest sports news from SportsNewscaster.com straight to your e-mail inbox by subscribing to our RSS feeds via e-mail for free. Enter your e-mail address below and confirm your subscription by clicking the link that will be sent to your e-mail.