National Basketball Association

Can the relationship between Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat be repaired?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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What’s next for Chris Bosh after the debut of his documentary?

Nov 30, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh (1) reacts in the second half of a game against the Boston Celtics at American Airlines Arena. The Celtics won 105-95. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

After Chris Bosh released his first episode of a documentary series about his recovery, there are more questions than answers. Bosh is reportedly awaiting medical clearance by the Miami Heat, but the team has remained silent on his status. It seems things may be even more complicated than we originally thought. So what becomes of Bosh and the Heat? The All U Can Heat staff weighs in:

Before seeing Chris Bosh’s documentary episode for Uninterrupted, did you think his situation was as bad as it is?

Rich Nurse (@followthepen): Hearing him say that the Heat’s doctors basically told him to hang up his basketball shoes was new, but everything–from getting the union involved during the playoffs to the #BringBoshBack and his loyalty toast at Dwyane Wade’s farewell dinner–showed that the situation was sour.

Simon Smith (@SimonABenedict): Only knowing as much as what’s been made available, it didn’t really alter my view. A recurrence of blood clots requiring blood thinners etc is pretty damn serious.

Chris Posada (@cpotweetsstuff): I haven’t seen it, so I’m just going off what I’m hearing. The doctor giving his opinion is new information. But the doctor telling Bosh that his career was likely over sounds like someone giving a medical opinion based on experience. I think that’s what doctors do, but I’m not one.

It also sounds like something that would be a rational way of thinking, considering Bosh’s prognosis. Why Bosh is surprised by it is news to me.

Allana Tachauer (@AllanaTachauer): Yeah. I mean, I know both Bosh and the organization tried to keep things as hush-hush as they could, but a blood clot is a blood clot. It does not take a rocket scientist to understand the gravity of such a diagnosis.

Even if it (thankfully) did not have a chance to travel to his lung again. The episode certainly helped me realize how determined to play again Bosh really is though.

Kristopher Keaton (@kmkeaton2): Yeah, blood clots are never something to play with, for lack of a better phrase. The Heat hadn’t ever said that it looked like a real possibility for him to return, and that should have been the writing on the wall that it would be easy. The liability that surrounds the situation is immense, so the standoff should have been expected.

Feb 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh (1) during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Do you think Chris Bosh should retire?

Rich: I am in the group that believes that Bosh should not retire. He went through the process of finding a doctor that would okay suiting up while on a controversial blood thinner regimen and seemed determined when he said, “I will play basketball in the NBA.”

Ultimately he has the right to take his life and career into his own hands.

Simon: I would retire if I were in his position. He has a large family and is set up financially. The tone of his voice made it seem like he wants to play in spite of the Heat and his perceived lack of respect from their doctors.

Chris: On the surface, with the money he’s made, his family, outside interests, and his life possibly in danger, he should. He has given enough to this game that he could walk away without many regrets. He’s a multiple time champion, 11-time All-Star, a likely Hall of Famer, and won a gold medal. That’s quite the resume.

But the heart wants what the heart wants, and it wants to play. If the NBA and NBPA can come together and find doctors that feel he can play on blood thinners, or the risks are minimal of something tragic occurring, then I’m all for letting him play. But this isn’t cut and dry.

Allana: My instinct here is to say yes. Why risk your life, and put your wife and children through losing you too, just to play a game? A game that you have already had the opportunity to be so successful in, for so many years. After all, there is a reason everyone is so opposed to him playing.

But then at the same time, there being a hockey player out there performing on blood thinners does stop and make me think: what if?

Kristopher: I’ve never been one to tell another man what to do or how to live his life. However, if I were in a position of influence in Bosh’s life, I’d tell him to step away. The possibility for disaster is great and that would affect more than just him.

No one knows their body like an athlete but they are also the most stubborn when it comes to doing what’s right. Which is why we are here.

Oct 30, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (left) laughs with Maverick Carter of LRMR Management in the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. New York won 95-90. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

How upset were you to see Maverick Carter involved in all of this?

Rich: Not at all. Maverick Carter’s involvement means that LeBron James’ fingerprints are, again, on the demise of Pat Riley’s Big Three.

However, if Bosh did not turn to James’ agent as an outlet, he would have found another.

Simon: That didn’t worry me at all, one way or another this interview was going to find it’s way into the mainstream media.

Chris: It’s annoying, but otherwise irrelevant. There’s no real gain from these videos, so the spectre of You Know Who clouding over things doesn’t carry the same gravitas.

Also, Bosh isn’t going to say anything earth-shattering on these videos, as he’s basically going to end up talking about things he enjoys doing, like drinking craft beer and playing the guitar.

The timing is odd, considering training camp kicks off next week. But I think that’s more for sucking in the fans to get on his side in this.

Allana: Not at all. This may be the most unpopular opinion among #HeatNation, but I still support all things James-related, through and through.

Kristopher: Maverick Carter is one of the most influential men in sports, and attaching his name solely to LeBron’s does him an injustice. I know it’s cool to hate LeBron in the Miami circles, but I don’t think this has much to do with him.

Nov 8, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra greets forward Chris Bosh (1) at the bench in the second half of a game against the Toronto Raptors at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 96-76. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Can the relationship between Bosh and the Heat be repaired?

Rich: When it comes to sports, even the most tumultuous relationships between players and management are eventually repaired.

So I would expect Bosh and the Heat to resolve their issues. Just not sure if it will happen while he still has Miami across his chest.

Simon: If the Heat continue to trust their doctors as the authoritarians in this matter, I don’t think it can be resolved.

Chris: Depends on what’s going on behind the scenes. If Bosh feels like he’s being held back because he thinks the Heat would rather him retire to get his money off the books, then there’s no way it does.

If he thinks that the Heat are just being an over-protecting parent trying to do what’s best and he’s just rebelling, then I think it should work itself out. The Heat have been open to the idea of letting him play, so as long as he’s medically cleared, so it’s not all doom and gloom.

Allana: Only if the Heat accept Bosh’s solution to playing, and let him do so. Otherwise, Bosh will not only head straight to the Players Union, but will forever end up holding a grudge against the team, regardless of what happens from there on out. Whether or not that is right however, is a whole other story…

Kristopher: The ONLY way they work this out is if Bosh is allowed to play. It’s that simple.

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How do you see this playing out?

Rich: Best case scenario is that Bosh gets cleared before training camp and is able to play for the Heat and have all of the ill-will fade. Worst-case scenario is that the team decides not to clear him, causing the players’ union to get involved.

It is too early to tell, but this could end with both side hoping that Bosh looks good enough to make another team take a trade flyer on him.

Simon: It’s been over seven months since Bosh last played. Both sides have had ample time to iron out their differences.

I believe the Heat won’t clear him to play, from which Bosh will likely try to gauge interest from around the league in order to try and find himself a new team. It’s a terrible way for it to end, but the Heat don’t appear to be willing to budge.

Chris: The absolute best case scenario is somehow convincing Bosh not to rush a decision and seeing how things play out until February. One whole year letting his body do whatever it is his body needs to do and then re-evaluating with the doctors might do him some good (again, I’m not a doctor).

There’s no reason that he has to be on the court opening night; he gets paid, regardless. Remember that the Heat can’t force him to retire, and insurance will only pick up the tab if the doctors approved by both the NBA and NBPA deem him unfit to return. But how do I see it playing out? He gets cleared and gets dealt next summer, thus putting the final nail in the Big Three Era.

Allana: Let me go ahead and answer by how I would like to see things go. It would be ideal for Bosh and Miami to come to an understanding along the lines of Bosh having to wait until February to even try and make his return (thus giving him another full year to recover).

That way, the organization does not shut the door in his face completely, the alternate treatment of taking blood thinners in the morning so they are out of his system by game time can be further investigated, and Bosh has more time to return to health. Seems like a decent compromise, no?

Kristopher: I agree with Allana here. Compromise to extend his wait to after All-Star break and re-evaluate the situation after that, with the intent of bringing him back.