2014’s Five Worst Moments In Houston Sports

Nov 4, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Houston Rockets center

(12) and Miami Heat forward

(1) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Rockets won 108-91. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

“Bosh Spurns Rockets Part Deux” 

3.  Chris Bosh eleventh-hour decision to stay with the Miami Heat 

It was the summer of 2014 and the Houston Rockets were heavy players in top-tier free agency market — having wooed stars such as Carmelo Anthony and Bosh who seemed to have sincere interest in signing with the team.

With LeBron James being the top-target for free agency this past off season, Bosh’s decision seemed hinged on what LeBron was going to do.

He mentioned that if LeBron did in fact leave the Heat, he would likely sign with the Rockets.

Jun 12, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) talks with center Chris Bosh (1), guard Dwyane Wade (3) during the second quarter of game four of the 2014 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

So as we all waited and watched what LBJ was going to do, we all jumped up in excitement that Friday morning — it was July 11th when he decided that he was heading home back to Cleveland to play for the Cavaliers.

I’m sure Daryl Morey had his four-year, $88 million offer hot off the printing press with his pen ready for Bosh to sign.

But in a eleventh-hour decision, we learned that financial security was more important for the power forward with the Heat offering him a five-year, $118 million deal that was $30 million more than the Rockets could offer.

He actually liked living in Miami and eventually said coming to Houston would have guaranteed “a bunch of pressure” because the team’s mindset to go for NBA championship now than later.

Had Bosh signed, we would’ve been able to match the Dallas Mavericks three-year, $45 million offer sheet for Chandler Parsons using the mid-level exception without his salary counting over the cap.

Oct 30, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Corey Brewer (13) drives to the basket past Detroit Pistons forward Josh Smith (6) in the second half at Target Center. The Timberwolves won 97-91. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Instead, the Rockets signed free agent Trevor Ariza to a more financially-viable contract at four years, $32 million.

Wow — it’s interesting to reflect what would’ve been.

But with the pieces this team currently has with later additions in Josh Smith and Corey Brewer they’ve amassed a 21-9 record and are perched at the near-top of the overbearing Western Conference.

Things happen for a reason and who knows how things would’ve ended up if everything fell into place as it should have?

I’ll take this outcome over anything.

By the way, the Heat are 14-18 and are barely candidates to make the playoffs if they started today.  That’s not impressive considering how weak the Eastern Conference is.

So just keep counting your millions Chris and run away from the alleged pressure you’d have here in H-Town.

Once upon a time Chris, you wanted to win but it’s good to know that doesn’t matter anymore.

That’s okay, I’ll take the W’s.