For the second straight season Chris Bosh was sidelined due to a blood clot issue. This season it was during the All-Star break in February when the clot re-surfaced and has kept Bosh out since.
According to a report from Ethan Skolnick and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Bosh has no intention of even considering retirement, despite the recurring issue:
Bosh has indicated to associates that he has no plans to retire at this time and intends to play next season for the Heat. He is under contract for three seasons after this one, at roughly $75.5 million. Even if he retired this offseason, the Heat would not receive any salary-cap relief until summer 2017…
Bosh, eager to return, has sought opinions from multiple doctors about whether it was safe to come off the blood thinners in order to resume playing this season. On that issue, there were different opinions among the doctors consulted by Bosh, according to two sources with direct knowledge. But most of the doctors consulted believed Bosh should continue taking the blood thinners for several months, which is common treatment for the condition, even though the clot dissipated several weeks ago. That is ultimately the course Bosh took.
This couldn’t have been any more difficult for Bosh, particularly this season when the Heat hold such a legitimate standing in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. As the clot was dissipating, it appeared that Bosh might be able to return to the lineup this season, but the ultimate decision favored patience instead of rushing Bosh back onto the court.
With this now being a recurring medical issue, the unfortunate speculation has become if this will become the cause for Bosh to retire. At 32 years old, Bosh still has good years left in him. Hopefully keeping with the blood thinner treatment and playing it safe this season pays off for when Bosh looks to make another return to the court for the 2016-17 season.
