Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat are now confirming what we all expected: that the 32-year-old big man won’t play again this season.
Here is the team’s statement:
https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/status/727962294651604992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
That this announcement comes from both Chris Bosh and the Heat should dispel any rumors of a rift between the two sides. It had become increasingly evident over the last few days and weeks that Bosh wanted to return, and Miami’s inability or refusal to offer clarification on his status didn’t help matters. This news at least makes it seem like Bosh and the Heat are on the same page.
It’s going forward that there could be a problem.
On the most fundamental level, the Heat must hope Bosh is healthy enough to return for an entire season. His last two campaigns have been cut short by midseason blood clots. He has three years left on his deal and, because of his salary alone, remains a big part of what they plan to do.
But the Heat have also reinvented themselves in his absence, championing a faster, more spacing-friendly style. The pace of play shouldn’t be a problem for Bosh, since it’s not breathtakingly fast by NBA standards, but spacing becomes an issue if the Heat plan on re-signing Hassan Whiteside. Bosh’s outside game allows the two bigs to play together, but using Luol Deng and Joe Johnson as small-ball 4s, alongside one of Bosh or Whiteside, offers more offensive versatility.
This, though, is a problem for the offseason, when the Heat may have to choose between retaining Whiteside or beginning to shop Bosh. For now, the Heat’s newfangled offensive style has them in position to secure an Eastern Conference Finals berth, likely against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Surviving the Toronto Raptors and pushing the playoff bill as far as possible is all that matters. Bosh’s future with the Heat, and within the game of basketball in general, is a topic for the offseason.
