The Miami Heat went to four straight NBA Finals earlier this decade, winning twice with a core of Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh after the latter two took their talents South Beach in the summer of 2010.
Wade and James have been able to continue their NBA careers since then, unlike Bosh -- who was forced to the sideline with blood-clot issues. The Heat officially waived Bosh on Tuesday, retiring his jersey in the process and inciting reaction on social media from members of the original Big Three, as well as others who played alongside him over the years.
"The number "1" will never be worn by another player and we can't wait to someday hang his jersey in the rafters." - Riley #ThankYouChr1s pic.twitter.com/Vx7dsX2Xdr
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) July 4, 2017
#Salute my brother @chrisbosh!! #1Forever 🏆🏆#StriveForGreatness🚀 https://t.co/ocDhyLAQUZ
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 4, 2017
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾💍💍 https://t.co/z3iZcgYVS5
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) July 4, 2017
An unbelievable teammate and one of the best dudes out there. Thank you for the 2 rings @chrisbosh! #100%HOF https://t.co/A2ACSBQwzY
— Mike Miller (@MikeMiller_13) July 4, 2017
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 #FirstclassOrganization https://t.co/4l87IYwng3
— Hassan Whiteside (@youngwhiteside) July 4, 2017
Goran Dragic and Ronny Turiaf, some of Bosh's other former teammates in Miami, also acknowledged him by retweeting related messages posted by the Heat's official account.
Bosh, meanwhile, tweeted a photo of his son enjoying the Fourth of July before thanking James, Wade, Miller and the Heat organization in separate messages.
Happy Fourth🇺🇸🎉 from The #BoshFamily ! #FourthofJuly2017 pic.twitter.com/mffLJSiDx9
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) July 4, 2017
@KingJames @DwyaneWade @MikeMiller_13 Thank you brothers You sure know how to make a young fella feel special #Family #BiggerThanBasketball
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) July 5, 2017
Thank you @MiamiHEAT @MickyArison , Coach Riley, The Heat Staff inside and outside of the arena, #HeatNation Fans, and City of Miami!🏆🏆 https://t.co/VksDtIR505
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) July 5, 2017
The 11-time All-Star and 2008 Olympic gold medalist has averaged 19.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game throughout his NBA career.
-- Nick Ostiller