Rich Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports and longtime agent of LeBron James, drew significant backlash from Miami Heat fans following controversial comments he made about Chris Bosh and the legacy of Miami’s Big Three on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday. During his appearance, Paul cast doubt on the effectiveness of “Big Three” team structures in the NBA, specifically taking aim at the famed trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, who powered the Miami Heat to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances from 2011 to 2014. “I always love a big two,” Paul said. “I don’t really love a big three. People talk big three, but the big three thing has never really worked. And you’ll say well what happened in Miami? That wasn’t really a big three. There were three guys that went in the lottery and they did really well individually on their teams so they had big numbers and had big accomplishments, but when you think about it, Bosh was the ultimate professional. He took a backseat and he played a role… his approach to everything is what made that work.” Rich Paul says Wade, LeBron and Bosh wasn’t a “big 3” “When you think about it, Bosh was the ultimate professional, he took a back seat and played a role” (Via @PatMcAfeeShow) pic.twitter.com/JTLCj2pilR — Sports Legacy (@Sports_Legacyy) April 15, 2025 Fans slam Rich Paul for downplaying Chris Bosh’s star status © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Paul’s implication that Bosh was more of a role player than a core star in Miami’s championship run sparked immediate criticism from Heat fans across social media platforms, especially on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Getting sick of the Bosh disrespect,” one user posted. Another added, “Lol they act like Bosh wasn’t averaging 25 and 10 in Toronto.” Some fans argued that Bosh’s sacrifices for team success ultimately diminished public appreciation of his career. “Bosh is the first superstar in NBA history to win rings and it negatively affect their legacy,” another user wrote. Bosh entered the NBA as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, selected by the Toronto Raptors. He was part of a historic draft class that included LeBron James (No. 1), Carmelo Anthony (No. 3), and Dwyane Wade (No. 5). Before joining the Heat ahead of the 2010-11 season, Bosh had spent seven years with the Raptors. He averaged 20.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game on 49.2% shooting in 509 games. In his final season with Toronto, Bosh posted a career-high 24 points and 10.8 rebounds per game while shooting 51.8% from the field and 36.4% from three-point range. He led the Raptors to back-to-back playoff appearances between 2006 and 2008, including the franchise’s first-ever division title in 2006-07. Bosh’s legacy as a Heat cornerstone remains undeniable Bosh played a pivotal role during Miami’s Big Three era alongside James and Wade. He adapted his game to complement his superstar teammates, often serving as the anchor on defense and a critical floor-spacing option on offense. The Heat reached four straight NBA Finals during that stretch, winning titles in 2012 and 2013. Although Bosh’s numbers declined slightly in Miami due to his adjusted role, he remained a consistent contributor. Over his career, he averaged 19.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and one block per game while shooting 49.4% from the field and 33.5% from three in 893 total games. His career was cut short due to recurring issues with blood clots, forcing him to step away from the game between 2014 and 2016. Despite the early end, Bosh’s impact on the game and the Miami Heat remains widely respected. Over 13 NBA seasons, Bosh earned 11 All-Star selections, made the All-NBA Second Team, and represented Team USA as a gold medalist in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a bronze medalist in the 2006 FIBA World Championship. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021 and had his jersey retired by the Heat organization. Fans and analysts continue to view Bosh as a foundational piece of the Heat’s championship success, and Paul’s remarks have reignited debate over how NBA role evolution should influence legacy discussions.