By Shandel Richardson, Sun Sentinel –
LAS VEGAS — Chris Bosh proved he was a capable 3-point shooter during the postseason.
The chances of seeing more of that became less likely when the Miami Heat signed Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis in the offseason. Bosh said he expects their arrivals to put a bigger emphasis on utilizing him in the post.
“I think we’re there,” Bosh said Sunday while watching the Heat’s opener in the NBA Summer League. “I knew it was coming eventually.”
Bosh scoring from the perimeter was often the Heat’s best way to spread the floor. With Allen and Lewis providing their outside shooting, the focus for Bosh could be returning to the paint. His role would look more like when he played with the Toronto Raptors and was counted on more for inside scoring.
“I’m really going to work on being a good inside presence,” Bosh said. “And just get better at it.”
Bosh welcomed the addition of his new teammates but said he was not involved in the recruitment of Allen or Lewis. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade openly tried to sway them during free agency via their Twitter accounts.
Bosh called the roster moves a “positive sign” because the Heat added two quality perimeter players.
“The first step you take as a champion is to get better,” Bosh said. “I think with Ray Allen, everybody knows about his shooting ability. Rashard Lewis can shoot it as well, but I think Rashard will be a good presence because he kind of played that system out in Orlando for a while. It’s similar to how we play. He can just come in and fit in.”
Returning to full strength is next up for Bosh. He said he is still recovering from a strained abdominal muscle that caused him to miss a portion of the playoffs. He sat nine straight games after sustaining the injury against the Indiana Pacers in the second round. Bosh returned against the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.
“It’s getting better day by day,” Bosh said. “Right now, I’m just resting. When it’s time to visit that, I’ll make sure we take the right steps and make sure that I’m good.”
Bosh bypassed on playing in the Olympics because of the injury, preferring to rest so he’s ready for next season. He said he expects to begin the rehab process in a few weeks.
“I’m sure they’re going to have to reevaluate me to see how much longer it’s going to take to get to 100 percent,” Bosh said. “I don’t think it’s going to be long.”
Bosh said he’s used the past few weeks to take a break from basketball. He was in Las Vegas vacationing with family when he decided to attend the Heat’s summer-league game at Thomas & Mack Center. He took time out from his courtside seat to offer instructions to third-year center Dexter Pittman.
Pittman at the time had picked up a pair of quick fouls.
“He was putting his arms down and grabbing,” Bosh said. “I just told him to keep his arms up. I just watched the technique. It’s just competitive drive. I think it’s good for them to really get some experience playing.”
Heat cruise past Raptors
The Heat defeated Toronto 71-59 in their first of five summer-league games. Guard Terrel Harris, who is fighting for one of the two remaining spots, led Miami with 14 points. Second-year guard Norris Cole finished with 13 points and two assists.
Pittman had 13 points and seven rebounds.
No travel for three players
The Heat were without three players, including second-round draft pick Justin Hamilton.
Hamilton did not travel with the team because of a slight hamstring strain. Also absent were forwards Jarvis Varnado (abdominal strain) and Robert Dozier (hamstring).
