Miami Heat's Chris Bosh joins Dwyane Wade, LeBron James in All-Star Game as reserve

Despite the accolade, Bosh insisted he was unaware the significance of the day.

“I didn’t even know it was today,” Bosh said. “I’m going to be honest with you.”

Despite the lack of interest, Bosh said being selected was an honor he will perhaps enjoy more when his career is over. He was announced as a reserve, joining LeBron James and Dwyane Wade as the Heat’s representatives.

James and Wade will start in the Feb. 26 in Orlando.

“Maybe one day when I’m with my kids and we’re having a conversation I can tell them, `Daddy was a bad man back in my day’ and have like a little resume,”’ Bosh said.

Bosh said the selection will help validate his status as an elite player.  James and Wade are already generally regarded among the league’s best while Bosh is often debated.

Bosh, who is averaging 19.2 points and 7.8 rebounds, proved his worth when Wade missed nine games because of injury.

The highlight came against the Atlanta Hawks when the Heat were playing without Wade and James. Bosh had 33 points and 14 rebounds in the 116-109 victory.

“I just press on and just keep doing what I’m doing,” Bosh said. “… I’m just happy because my heroes growing up were like 10-time All-Stars. So it’s really cool just to kind of have a crack at being as successful as they were.”

Bosh called the honor the latest notch in his successful career. There’s even a chance he could start in the game alongside Wade and James.

If Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony is unable to play, Bosh could be the replacement. The All-Star coach is in charge of the switch, and there’s a possibility the Heat’s Erik Spoelstra earns that title.

It would be Bosh’s second appearance as a starter.

“I mean, I definitely aware of how things have gone in my career,” Bosh said. “I just considered it for me to be in the right situation at the right time. I’ve worked pretty hard. I’m just happy to be able to accomplish the things that I’ve accomplished so far and I hope that I get better.”

Cole comfortable in start

Rookie Norris Cole made his first start of the season against the Orlando Magic, replacing injured guard Mario Chalmers.

Cole had mixed reviews.

“It wasn’t perfect,” he said. “I made some good plays, some plays I wish I would’ve done better. Like I said, I wish we would’ve won.”

The Heat lost 102-89, but Cole said it provided valuable experience in case it happens again.

Chalmers (hand) is a game-time decision Friday against the Washington Wizards.

For Cole, the only difference was being in the lineup with Wade, James and Bosh in the first quarter.

“I think it will help,” Cole said. “It really wasn’t that much big of a difference, though. The only difference I was starting the game off with D-Wade and LeBron. Normally, I’m in the game with one or two of them … Instead of waiting to the second half, I started off.”

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