Column: The Chris Bosh dilemma is not so black and white
With Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh having released the first episode of his new documentary, his return is not as simple as it may seem.
Despite fans hoping he would be back for the season–hoping he would be back practicing with the team in the Bahamas next week–the issue of whether or not Miami Heat star Chris Bosh can ever play professional basketball again is still on-going.
What has made the whole situation worse is how hush-hush it has been. From Bosh himself, to the team, to the organization… no one wants to discuss anything.
That is, until now.
Although Miami still has not said much, Bosh just released the first episode of his documentary, where he states his desire to return. And it is heartbreaking, to say the least. Between the fact that he had to go through such a scare in the first place–let alone twice–and his obvious yearning to be back in action… It is truly hard to swallow.
Bosh is basically pleading for a second chance.
But the Bosh dilemma is not so black and white.
The veteran did play in 2015-16 with no complaints, after his first diagnosis. In 53 games, the 32-year-old averaged 19.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 33.5 minutes per game on his way to his 11th All-Star game.
But should he be allowed back a second time around?
More: Bosh says recovery has been 'a ver difficult process'
It is true that blood clots are not entirely uncommon. Although many times they are caused by a complication after a procedure (as with teammate Udonis Haslem), other factors such as age, level of physical activity, amount of traveling and so on, can also play a part in increased risk.
And it is often that one can occur, and never do so again.
However, this is clearly not the case with Bosh. Because just a year after his return, he threw not one but several more. Clots that could have been deadly, had they not been caught in time and left unattended to travel up to his lung.
Regardless, some may argue that it is his risk to take. After all, he is a grown man. Quite an intelligent one at that. And if he feels comfortable enough to put his life on the line, so be it.
Especially since he seemingly has found a solution that would allow him to still protect himself via blood thinners, but have them out of his system by the time he would need to compete. If he and his doctor feel comfortable with this compromise, who is to say he should not be able to play?
The organization cannot just accept that however. Nor should they.
Forget about liability and the fact that they will undoubtedly be the blamed party, if God forbid should anything ever go wrong. As complicated a legal matter that would be, there is more to consider.
Like that, morally, they would be letting one of their own enter a life or death situation day-in and day-out. In essence, putting the game of basketball before a person’s life. And that watching something happen to Bosh, would then devastate the entirety of the franchise, league and beyond.
There is a reason for the team’s hesitation. For the team doctor not yet having cleared him. And, yes, even for the silence.
Because while the option of taking blood thinners far enough in advance is on the table (and actually is in play by hockey player Tomas Fleischmann), and ultimately Bosh wants nothing more than to be part of the team again, he is a person first and foremost.
A person whose life they value.
The Heat may indeed let him come back and hold their breath every time he steps foot on a court. Or they may put themselves in a position of having to fight against the NBA Players Association. Either way, this is not an easy place to be in for either side. So whether you want Bosh to return or retire, it is important to accept how complicated of a matter this really is.