Chris Bosh Has Been Ruled Out For The Playoffs, As Common Sense Prevails

The Miami Heat‘s Game 7 win over the Charlotte Hornets came with news that forward Chris Bosh wanted to return to action and was pressuring the team to allow him to play. The players association got involved, with a statement acknowledging that Bosh’s health and well-being was the top priority and some reported involvement in facilitating a conversation with the Heat.

On Wednesday common sense prevailed over the tension, as the Heat and Bosh announced he will be out for the 2016 playoffs as he continues to deal with a blood clot-related condition.

MIAMI HEAT STATEMENT ON CHRIS BOSH pic.twitter.com/ZX3gj6f3xg

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) May 4, 2016

Bosh has not played since the All-Star break this year, and he also missed the end of the 2014-15 season with a blood clot issue in his lungs. This most recent issue is related to a calf injury that kept him out of the All-Star Game, and then a blood clot was discovered.

In late April Bosh said he has no plans to retire, but having a similar medical situation two years in a row has to be changing his thinking. The organization has made it clear any benefit Bosh could provide on the floor during the playoffs does not overshadow the importance of his long-term health, even though they may just want to avoid liability. If Bosh’s condition is not deemed career-threatening, it could get complicated with three years and around $75.8 million left on his contract.

In an effort to keep his career going, Bosh may simply continue to seek medical opinions until he finds a doctor that will clear him to play. But that decision is still ultimately in the hands of the Heat organization and their medical personnel, come the start of the 2016-17 season and surely beyond. But it’s clear caution is their modus operandi regarding Bosh until something changes, and he will have to live with his playing future being largely out of his hands.