Chris Bosh joins TNT, will not return to NBA play this season
It has just been announced that Chris Bosh will be joining TNT as a studio analyst, indicating that he will not play in the NBA this season. Or potentially, ever again.
It has been a while since Miami Heat fans heard rumblings of anything new concerning Chris Bosh. However on Thursday (in the midst of NBA trade deadline excitement no less), it was announced that he would be joining TNT as a studio analyst.
As part of “Players Only,” the 32-year-old will finally be gracing our televisions once more starting next week, for five consecutive Mondays .
As per Craig Berry, the executive vice president/chief content officer of Turner Sports:
"“We’re thrilled to have Chris make appearances with our Players Only studio team and we look forward to incorporating his fresh take and informed perspective into this new TNT series. Chris is still deeply connected with today’s NBA players and his insights into the game will further enhance the experience for our viewers.”"
This comes as exciting news for not only Heat Nation but Bosh supporters in general, who have missed the star for some time now.
Bosh, who was not cleared by team doctors at the start of this season’s training camp, was first diagnosed with blood clots in his lung during this time, two years ago. He subsequently fell victim to another set a year later, having supposedly still shown traces of clotting this past September.
Which not only broke the hearts of many around the league, but set in motion the beginning of a strained relationship between the forward and the Heat organization.
Once he was not cleared to play in 2016-17, president Pat Riley announced that it was the end of Bosh’s playing days in Miami. This did not sit well with Bosh, who had some less-than-positive words for Riley in his documentary.
Almost six months later however, it seems perhaps Bosh has ultimately made peace with the idea of retirement.
In January, he had this to say on the topic:
"“I’m still learning more about myself and my situation, and really off the court how to function there because I’m kind of getting the taste of retirement now. Just trying to navigate those waters because it gets a little complicated sometimes. … Hoping one day that the stars align and I figure some things out and things kind of just go my way and I’ll be able to do what I want to do. I don’t know what that is yet.”"
Perhaps a career in broadcasting?
In any case, the veteran has at least come to terms with the fact that he will not play this season.
Because by signing onto this TNT venture, he has taken away the possibility of returning for at least 25 games, the magic number needed for the Heat to remove Bosh’s salary from their books.
Next: Why the Miami Heat didn't make a move at the NBA trade deadline
While it is still hard to accept that Bosh will more than likely never play NBA basketball again, it is nice to see him start to explore what could come next in his life. As crucial as he was for the Miami Heat, Chris Bosh’s health has, and will always come first.