Nov. 3, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra looks on during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 119-116. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

Recently, Erik Spoelstra gave his take on who the long lasting debate about who’s the most important player. Many of sided with LeBron James. Others have sided with Dwyane Wade. However very few tended to agree on who Erik Spoelstra chose. He in fact believes Chris Bosh is the Heat’s most important player when it comes to making a run for a title.

“He is our most important player, and he’s as steady and consistent as he always has been for the last two and a half years. He makes it look quiet, and yet he’s so impactful in the game. He was big under the rim and not just his scoring, but the big plays defensively at the end,” Coach Spo said in regards to Chris Bosh.

I’ve personally have taken to heart that Chris Bosh is in the fact the Heat’s most important player. I’m not going to say that he is going to win a MVP, let alone be the Heat’s best player in any upcoming season. However, if the Heat were to lose Chris Bosh due to an injury, it would be devastating to the wingmen-loaded Miami Heat Squad.

If you look at Chris Bosh’s numbers so far into this season, you can tell that Bosh has easily risen up to being the Heat’s second best player at the moment ahead of Dwyane Wade. Again, that doesn’t mean I’m saying Bosh is a better player than Wade right now. Keep in mind that Dwyane Wade has struggled to stay on the floor and when he does play it has been inconsistent play that plagued Miami to their few losses.

Chris Bosh is averaging twenty points, close to eight rebounds, and over a block a game. Bosh may not put up those astronomically high numbers like a LeBron James but his presence can be felt on the court. Bosh is an above average defender who has long arms to contest shots in the paint and even outside stretching into the three-point line.  Bosh is a very vocal presence on the court and those in attendance and watching at home can definitely see the excitement and enthusiasm Bosh brings into the game.

It’s that kind of motor that is so crucial for a team that is prone to not giving a 100% every game. Before Chris Bosh took his talents to Miami, he was known as the face of the Toronto Raptors. Bosh’s decision to leave Toronto was primarily based on the inability of management to feed Bosh’s desire to compete immediately. Chris Bosh is driven by victories and after the Final’s loss to Dallas last year, Bosh was seen crying on his way back to the locker room. It is difficult to see such passion by such a great player now a days.

Nov. 17, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) reacts on the court during the game against the Phoenix Suns in the second half at US Airways Center. The Heat defeated the Suns 97-88. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-US PRESSWIRE

Chris Bosh is clearly the most important player, because the Heat do not have a reliable back-up to play close 35 minutes a game with quality basketball ability. Udonis Haslem and Rashard Lewis are the Heat’s two primary other big men. However both are nothing more than quality role players at best. With a line-up dominated by wingmen, the Heat need Bosh to plug in the inside scoring and interior defense. Otherwise it would be very difficult to compete with the Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, and other line-ups filled with tons of big-men.

Bosh is the one player on the Heat that I feel has an automatic shot. Even with the great scoring ability of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, neither player has their go-to move other than driving to the basket. Chris Bosh is automatic when it comes to the mid-range jump shot on top of the free throw line. This becomes crucial when the Heat need a basket to end a scoring drought or counter an opponent’s scoring run.

Chris Bosh is also one of the Heat’s best free throw shooter. This is huge especially when it comes to the playoffs, where its a given every game will be close especially against the elite teams. You can afford to have Bosh take free throws in the last minute or two in the game and feel confident about an easy two points. Unlike LeBron or Wade, Bosh is one of the leaders currently in the NBA with around and 86% shooting percentage at the charity stripe.

Chris Bosh may not put up the best numbers or be the Miami Heat’s leader, however what he brings to the Heat is very special. He’s a very talented big man with range who can light up opponents for 30+ points in a given night. Bosh is also a very unselfish player who looks to gain team success over personal success. The one thing that separates the Miami Heat all-star power forward is his great enthusiasm for the game. This is crucial for a long 82-game season and for a championship driven team.

Orlando Magic fans, don’t get up in arms just yet. But with the most anticipated season opener since…well, probably since the Celtics opened up the 2007-08 season by demolishing the Washington Wizards, all the talk in the Eastern Conference has centered on whether the Miami Heat can dethrone the Boston Celtics and make it to the NBA Finals.

And it might be a coincidence, but guess which two teams open up the NBA season? That’s right, Miami and Boston. By now you have heard ad nauseam about Miami’s new star trio of Chris Bosh, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, as well as the Celtics revamped front line, including the Big Shamrock himself, Shaquille O’Neal. And each team has laid claim to the coveted title of “team to beat” in the East.

It’s time to get excited, because the season opener is finally here.We’ve been waiting all summer, but the truth is that it is only one game. The true question is which side has the edge over the course of the whole season?

Well, that what we are here to answer. Here are five reasons why the Celtics should be considered the front-runner for the East’s spot in the NBA Finals. If you want to read the point of view from the Heat’s perspective, go here.

1) Depth: Take a journey back to 2007 with me, if you will. The Celtics had just acquired Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, and Boston became an “it” destination for a host of free agents—sort of like Miami this past offseason, only without the lure of South Beach or Will Smith.

With little money to spend, the Celtics brought in the likes of Eddie House and James Posey, and eventually veterans P.J. Brown and Sam Cassell, to help bolster the Big Three in the push for a title.

If you thought that team was deep, this version of the Celtics should be even better. In fact, the C’s actually have so many players that could step in and make an impact that it might actually be a bad thing. The Celtics boast a true second unit with Nate Robinson at point guard, Delonte West at off guard, Marquis Daniels and Glen Davis at forward, and, likely, Jermaine O’Neal at the center spot.

All of those players have a wealth of starting experience, including Davis, who has been a bench player throughout his career but stepped up admirably in Kevin Garnett’s absence in a number of situations, most notably the 2009 playoffs. In truth, most of these players would probably be starters on a number of teams in the league, but they will be backing up the Celtics’ starting five.

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