Chris Bosh (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
After players shifting teams at the deadline, the NBA news line has one player who may be forced to take a sabbatical for the season.
Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh faces big uncertainty as his blood clot condition may have recurred. This has serious implications in his career including the possibility that he might be forced to retire.
Doctors attending to Bosh have given instructions to call it quits at least for the season, as his treatment will involve blood thinners. The report comes from Yahoo Sports.
"Miami Heat All-Star forward Chris Bosh is under increasing pressure from physicians and the organization to sit out the rest of the season because of the potential dangers of a recurring medical condition, league sources told The Vertical," Yahoo senior scribe Adrian Wojnarowski wrote. "Bosh has a meeting planned with Heat officials, including owner Mickey Arison and president Pat Riley, in the next 24 hours to move closer to a final determination on his status, league sources said."
Wojnarowski added: "Bosh, 31, has been searching for ways to continue playing this season with the use of blood thinners but that scenario has been met with significant resistance, sources said."
Most doctors would advise playing contact sports while on blood thinners as the risk is very high. In an AP report (h/t Herald Dispatch) other athletes who have taken blood thinners for blood clot issues weighed in.
"I hate it for him," said NASCAR driver Brian Vickers, who has also dealt with clotting issues that have impacted his career. "I would tell him the same thing again, just don't give up. Just keep fighting. Find a solution and keep going."
Bosh has been trying to find ways to play even while on treatment. The Miami Heat are firmly entrenched in a battle to stay in playoff contention and Bosh's presence could be the determining factor because of his size, shooting and experience.
However, Vickers, who has been in constant contact with Bosh because of their shared condition as well as partnering with the Heat player on an advertising campaign, was strongly against it.
"You really have to follow the advice of their doctors," Vickers said. "That's really what the campaign is about. We're involved with the campaign because we've had problems in the past. It can happen again. It can happen to anyone."
Bosh's condition is serious and the physical demands of playing in the NBA is increasing. It is very unfortunate, but Bosh may need to make a hard choice.
