Chris Bosh’s attempt to resume his playing career after a recurring blood clot issue has hit another snag, and this one may not be overcome. According to the Associated Press‘ Tim Reynolds, Bosh failed his latest physical with the Heat and will not be cleared to participate in training camp.
AP Source: Chris Bosh has failed his physical, is not cleared for training camp with Miami Heat.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) September 23, 2016
The Miami Herald‘s Barry Jackson has further updates, confirming doctors found another recurrence of Bosh’s blood clotting.
A complication has arisen in medical tests involving Heat forward Chris Bosh, derailing his attempted comeback, according to a source.
The complication involved evidence of some continued clotting and is believed to be related to one of two previous blood clot episodes. Those episodes sidelined Bosh after the All-Star break each of the past two seasons.
Though the complication is not considered life-threatening if treated, it requires medication and playing with it is considered unrealistic.
It’s great news that Bosh’s latest issue isn’t considered to be life-threatening, but at this point, it’s getting harder and harder to see him ever playing in the NBA again. Bosh’s close friend and former teammate, Dwyane Wade, feels the same way.
Dwyane Wade to AP on Bosh: "To me, the biggest thing is Chris has five kids and a wife and a family. … I told him focus on that first."
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) September 23, 2016
With this latest issue, medical retirement makes the most sense for Bosh. Bosh is a well-rounded person with a wide variety of interests outside of basketball (including coding and playing guitar, among other things), so it’s hard to see him as the kind of athlete who has trouble finding something to do with his life after he’s done playing. The most important thing is that he lives a long and healthy life and can take care of his family. He’s made plenty of money, won two championships and will be headed to the Hall of Fame. He has nothing to prove to anybody on the court.
UPDATE:
The Miami Heat have released an official statement on Bosh’s status:
The Miami HEAT and Chris Bosh, in consultation with team doctors and other physicians, have been working together for many months with the mutual goal of having Chris return to the court as soon as possible. Chris has now taken his pre-season physical. The Miami HEAT regret that it remains unable to clear Chris to return to basketball activities, and there is no timetable for his return.
We are not able to comment further in light of Article XXII, Section 3(e) of the NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement, which precludes a team from releasing certain medical information without a player’s consent.
As more information about Bosh’s playing status becomes available, we’ll let you know in a separate post.
