James and Bosh – A Cavalier Reunion?
Just over two years ago, Chris Bosh stepped foot on an NBA floor for the last time. He had just been named to the 2016 All-Star team and was playing an integral role on a rather diminished Miami Heat basketball team. After reoccurring fights with blood clots, the Heat medically waived Bosh in July of 2017 after a panel of doctors declared the condition as career-ending. The Miami Heat had made arrangements to put No. 1 in the rafters and many fans around the league considered this a very sad end to a great NBA career.
This narrative took a turn on Thursday morning when Chris Bosh appeared with a bold statement on ESPN with Stephen A. Smith,
“I’ve been in the gym. I can still play basketball. No I’m not done yet. I’m trying to comeback. Man, I see all these guys shooting 3-pointers and not playing defense, I got to get some of it.”
While Bosh appeared to be merely joking with Smith during the interview, many people around the league believe Bosh’s return could come to fruition as soon as this season.
So, the question has to be asked, how would Chris Bosh fit in with this brand new Cleveland Cavaliers team? Bosh has a legitimate 6’11” body with an incredible wingspan. Everyone knows Cleveland’s current Achilles heel is a backup center. Having Tristan Thompson and Kevin Love healthy would allow Bosh to fulfill the big man role in the second unit.
As much as he would help the Cavs, Bosh’s health needs to be the first priority in this situation. Obviously, he would have to pass a physical before he suited up for any team this season. Team doctors would have to have no doubt in their minds that he is healthy enough to play basketball. Blood clots are nothing to joke about and having absolute medical clearance would be the biggest concern to putting Bosh in a wine and gold uniform.
There really is no debate that if healthy, signing Bosh would only bring more upside to the new Cavs. He has established chemistry with LeBron James from the Miami days, where Bosh and James won two NBA titles together.
“I stand behind my brother Chris. The most important thing is his health,” James told the media after Bosh’s release from Miami,“Whatever decision he wants to do, I’m all for it. I support him in every way, shape and facet.”
Chemistry aside, it is clear that Chris Bosh really wants to return to basketball. He is determined to prove to the Miami Heat and the rest of the NBA that he still has gas left in the tank and he is not ready to give up just yet. Coming off the bench and being a veteran presence with a brand new Cavs team would be Bosh’s big opportunity to prove that he is still the dominant player he once was.
With the complete unloading of players that happened at the trade deadline, the Cavaliers still have two open roster spaces. Koby Altman said he has no plans of filling these empty spaces until after All-Star Weekend, which is just enough time for the Cavs to give Bosh a workout and a physical.
While nobody truly knows Bosh’s current medical situation, if healthy, bringing Bosh to Cleveland seems like a complete no-brainer.
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