Chris Bosh usually prefers not to play center and bang against much bigger bodies, but seems to willingly embrace that role now. Bosh added about 10 pounds of muscle over the offseason.

"Every time I try to run from it, it just comes and pulls me back in," Bosh said. "I accept it. If I'm the five (center), put me down there, have me guard the biggest guy. That's fine. I accept the challenge, and it is what it is."

Last year, playing alongside LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, Bosh’s numbers fell across the board. He averaged just 18.7 points and 8.3 rebounds while shooting .496 from the field.

"Last year I didn't rebound the way I was supposed to, I didn't play the way I was supposed to. I shot under 50 percent and I had under 10 rebounds, and that's unacceptable for me," he said. "And I'm not afraid to say that."