Chris Bosh Explains Why He's Staying in Miami Heat Despite LeBron James Exit

Chris Bosh is ready to step up for Miami after LeBron James opted to return home to Cleveland.

Bosh had his family in mind when he chose to stay with the Heat, according to ESPN. He lives with his wife and two children in Miami Beach and said he weighed his options based on his family's welfare.

"We're all making decisions to make ourselves happy and our families happy," Bosh told ESPN in a phone interview on Saturday, likening his decision to James'. ''We've built a life in South Florida and we're comfortable. So I had to do what's best now for myself and my family," he also told Fox Sports on Sunday.

"I benefit from it, the team will benefit from it, from here. My heart was in Miami. I wanted to be there and keep my family there and build relationships and really keep building on something special," he also told ESPN.

The Heat will now build around Bosh, and new signees Luol Deng, Danny Granger and Josh McRoberts.

Bosh added, in the ESPN report, that he has "no bitter feelings" toward James. "We're going to be brothers regardless ... It's all love." Bosh, who is in Ghana for an NBA Africa basketball camp, received a message from James. The message indicated James' decision to return to the Cavs.

James' big move is doing well for Bosh. Just after the text message, the ESPN report added that the Heat offered Bosh a $118-million five-years contract. He then reportedly turned down "very enticing offers" from several teams, including the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers, to stay with the Heat until the 2018-19 season.

Bosh will sign the deal once he returns from Africa, where he is accomplishing his duties with the NBA and will be treating his family to a vacation, Fox Sports noted.  The hooper, then perceived as third in the Miami trifecta, is excited to take James' spot in the team.

''I can't lie to you: I'm excited,'' Bosh said. "I think sometimes you miss [being an alpha dog]," Bosh revealed to ESPN. "I haven't had to be that guy. I played with the best player in the world. I didn't have to be the alpha."

It is not yet known if Wade will re-sign with Miami, but there is a big possibility that he will return, ESPN said. Both Bosh and Wade have reportedly talked about how they may lead Heat to the finals sans James.

So, will Heat win a possible Cavs-Heat matchup on opening night? Bosh said in the ESPN writeup, "You ask me 10 times, 10 times I'll say yes."