After suffering an abdominal strain during last season's playoffs, that nearly ruined his chances for a title, Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh feels that the injury is completely behind him now.
The focus now going forward for Bosh is trying to create a dynasty in South Beach.
"Winning a championship is only the beginning for this group, and we have to look at it that way," Bosh said. "We have to look at it as we're trying to have a dynasty. I think that's the next thing. The only way you can do that is to have more than one championship. I look at it as a five- to six-year increment, where we're trying to win as many as possible."
Bosh spent nearly a decade chasing his first NBA title, as did James. Several other players on last season's Heat roster waited even longer to be fitted for their first championship ring.
He's beginning his 10th NBA season, as are fellow Heat stars LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Their ballyhooed decision to team up in Miami in the summer of 2010 led to countless adjustments to everyone, especially Bosh.
Wade and James routinely referred to Bosh last season as Miami's "most important player," and the reasons why they say that were on display when the Heat struggled in the playoffs while Bosh dealt with the abdominal injury.
In Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics, Bosh's role came to light.
Bosh made his career-best third 3-pointer of the night and sparked the burst that pushed Miami to what became a 101-88 win.
