Miami Heat star Chris Bosh is no longer dealing with active blood clots in his leg and he is ‘hopeful’ he can return to the Miami Heat this year to help them make a push for a top seed in the Eastern Conference.
Bosh, who has not appeared in a game for the Heat since February 9th, released the following statement on his current medical condition:
“I know there have been many questions regarding my health and when I will play again. My situation this year has never been life threatening. I am feeling great and currently I do not have deep vein thrombosis.
Together with the Miami Heat, I am working with doctors, exploring the best precautionary treatment options and taking every necessary step to make sure I am healthy for myself, my family and my team.
“I have been working out, training with the team, watching film of the games, walking through plays, and have attended home games despite not being visible to the public.
“I will continue to support my teammates in every way possible. I remain positive that I will be able to return this season. I truly appreciate everyone’s concern and support.”
The Heat have played 11 games without Bosh this year. They have went 8-3 and 5-1 since signing veteran shooter Joe Johnson, with their only loss with Johnson on the team coming yesterday at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks by the score of 114-108.
If Bosh is able to return for Miami this season, it would make things very interesting. The Heat’s starting lineup lately has been Goran Dragic, Dwyane Wade, Joe Johnson, Luol Deng, and Amar’e Stoudemire, meaning that emerging star center Hassan Whiteside is coming off the bench for the Heat now.
Whiteside has had monster numbers since shifting to the bench role. Over the last five games he is averaging a monster line of 18.2 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 4.2 blocks. Whiteside has also increased his free throw shooting percentage for the better. He is shooting them at a 80% clip since the all-star break after he shot 55% prior to the break.
So how does this all tie into a possible Bosh return? If you remember during the LeBron James era in South Beach, Bosh was featured at center a lot. Even in 2014-2015 Bosh was still playing a lot of center prior to Whiteside’s arrival even after James’ departure.
Based off the success the Heat are having with the Dragic-Wade-Johnson-Deng-Stoudemire lineup, I wouldn’t be shocked if the team went to a Dragic-Wade-Johnson-Deng-Bosh lineup if CB does indeed comeback. That would give Miami four three-point snipers in the lineup, with Dwyane Wade of course not being a strong three-point threat.
The potential lineup of Dragic-Wade-Johnson-Deng-Bosh would of course send the veteran Stoudemire back to the Heat’s bench. Josh Richardson, Justise Winslow, Gerald Green, Josh McRoberts, and Udonis Haslem would also be on that bench, which gives the Heat a very deep core that could help them take down the Cavaliers.
Still, Bosh’s health is more important than basketball at the end of the day, and it’s critical that it’s not forgot. The 31-year-old Bosh is averaging 19.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game this season.
