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 And he's all right with it.
"Validating yourself is a constant process," he said. "I really let
that go a long time ago. I don't care about those things. I just
care about the game.
"I focus on the game and what we're supposed to do with it. We have
a chance to compete for another championship. That's all that
matters to me right now."
Bosh played a huge role in the Heat's 98-96 victory over the San
Antonio Spurs on Sunday night to even the best-of-seven NBA Finals
at one game apiece.
The 30-year-old, nine-time All-Star nailed a three pointer with 1:18
left to give the Heat a 95-93 lead and then sealed the deal with a
pass to Wade normally seen by point guards.
As usual, most of the post-game plaudits went to James, who
delivered the pass to Bosh, and to Wade, whose basket put Miami up
98-93 and had Spurs fans scrambling for the exits.
But Bosh's role in the Heat's success is not lost on coach Erik
Spoelstra.
"He's arguably our most important player," he said. "We've said that
now for four years. And it's not just because of that shot.
"That's what everybody notices, and if he's not getting the normal
opportunities, and he's not scoring, or doesn't have big rebound
numbers, it seems from the outside everybody is so critical about
his game. But for us he has a lot on his plate."
Bosh shrugs off the harsh critique, saying "if it doesn't help me,
then I don't listen to it."
"Everybody gets criticized, and I understand that," he said. "I'm
not immune to it. I'm not the first, I won't be the last. This team
won't be the first or the last.
"Each guy gets picked on. But it makes you stronger as a person and
I believe in my craft. I work hard at my game and that's all that
matters."
'TOUGH BALANCE'
Though Bosh is not as flashy as James or Wade, Spoelstra credits the
6-foot-11 (2.11 m) forward with knowing what it takes to get the job
done. He can mix it up in the paint, fire up the soft, left-handed
jumper, or pass like a playmaker.
"He's a two‑way player on both ends of the court," said Spoelstra.
"He has to facilitate and space the floor, and he has to find
opportunities to be aggressive.
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"It's a tough balance. He's versatile enough and important enough
for us that he's been able to find that."
The Heat now head back to South Florida, where they are 8-0 this
postseason, to host Game Three on Tuesday and Game Four on Thursday
before the series shifts back to San Antonio.
With Sunday's victory, Miami, seeking its third straight title, has
played an eyebrow-raising 47 playoff games without losing two in a
row.
"When your back is against the wall, it's a very unique feeling,"
Bosh, who had 18 points, said after the game. "Especially coming on
the road, being in an environment like this. This is a tough place
to play.
"But we still have to have confidence in each other, we still trust
each other and we rely on each individual guy to do his job. When we
do that, we just stick together and continue to motivate each other,
good things happen."
(Editing by Frank Pingue)
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