Due to a history of blood clots on his lungs, Chris Bosh can’t play basketball right now. Unable to play the sport that he loves, Bosh gave a very simple message to players who are fortunate enough to be on the court right now: “If you can play, go out there and play,” Bosh told the Associated Press.
Bosh, who won two championships with the Miami Heat, was first diagnosed with blood clots over two years ago, and he would give anything to return to the court. Where Bosh is coming from here is clear; he’s probably thinking: “I’d love to be playing right now but I can’t, and you’re sitting out games for the sake of rest? Let’s trade places.” Bosh’s wistful feeling is understandable.
Of course, this matter isn’t quite so simple. 82 games is a lot, and players want to be well-rested for the playoffs. It’s easy to see where Bosh is coming from, though, and you’ve got to feel for him. Bosh has been a player, and now he’s a spectator; he’s been on both sides of this situation, which gives him a unique perspective.
“I can see it in some instances,” Bosh told the Associated Press. “But then at the same time, if you can play, play. When there’s so much work to do, it’s kind of hard to see why guys would take time off. With that said, from a player’s side, the schedule is intense. But I guess that’s part of being in the NBA. And I think what happened was when young guys start saying ‘Oh, rest,’ that kind of brought it to a tipping point a little bit.”
Bosh taking an anti-rest stand is interesting in part because LeBron James, who is at the center of this controversy, is Bosh’s friend and former teammate.
