It doesn’t appear Miami Heat All-Star forward Chris Bosh will return to the court for the Miami Heat in the playoffs, but he is maintaining his leadership role with the team. According to the Associated Press, Bosh delivered an emotional speech to his teammates Friday before their first practice in preparation for the Charlotte Hornets. He told his teammates how desperately he wishes he could be on the court.
Bosh hasn’t played since the All-Star break as a result of the same scary blood clot issue he dealt with last year. In his 53 games before the injury, Bosh was putting up impressive numbers (19.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game). Few details have been made available about his health.
"Chris talked today to us, as a team," Dwyane Wade said after practice. "The biggest message is someone who lived for this moment, someone who envisioned these moments especially after last year, he doesn't have the ability to be in it."
Goran Dragic said Bosh’s message gave him goosebumps.
"It's really tough for him," Dragic said. "He wants to be part of this on the court and it's really hard to watch and not to do nothing. It's a tough situation for him but we need him – even if he's not going to play, his ability to talk to the players, show what you're doing wrong, how you're supposed to do it on the floor, it's big time."
Game One of the Miami-Charlotte series – a 3-6 matchup between teams with identical records – takes place Sunday at 5:30 p.m. on TNT. Bosh is expected to be in attendance to cheer on his teammates.
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