After careful examination and thorough medical review by both the NBA and the NBA Players Association Friday afternoon, the final domino fell when Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh was deemed unable to continue his career due to a career-ending illness.
Due to Bosh's request on wanting to make a comeback and maintaining that he is healthy enough to play, the player's union along with the NBA agreed to have the case reviewed by an independent Fitness to Play doctors panel. Under an unfavorable assessment that Bosh is still unfit to step back on the basketball court, the Heat are allowed to waive him and receive full cap relief.
Bosh himself has been exploring ways to return to the court, but the joint medical ruling marked a devastating turn by validating the Heat organizations prior findings. Both the NBA and the Player's Association agreed that his reoccurring blood clots are considered career-ending, and he is not allowed to play or practice in the NBA again. A very slight chance of a return is there granted he provides hard evidence of meeting medical fitness standards approved by league executives but that is a risky move the league nor anyone else is eager to jump into anytime soon.
The star forward will be paid the remaining guaranteed $52.1 million salary covered by insurance for the next two seasons, and he is free to pursue other ventures outside of playing basketball.
Due to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement Article VII, section 2, the Heat will not suffer any cap penalties for Bosh's salary and they are able to move forward as soon as they are allowed to place him on waivers.
A player shall be deemed to have suffered a career-ending injury or illness if it is determined (i) by a such physician or Fitness to Play Panel that the player has an injury or illness that (x) prevents him from playing skilled professional basketball at an NBA level for the duration of his career, or (y) substantially impairs his ability to play skilled professional basketball at an NBA level and is of such severity that continuing to play professional basketball at an NBA level would subject the player to medically unacceptable risk of suffering a life-threatening or permanently disabling injury or illness, or (ii) by such Fitness to Play Panel that the player has an injury or illness that would create a materially elevated risk of death for the player.
After missing significant time the past two seasons and failing his preseason physical Bosh will retire a two-time NBA Champion who averaged a career 19.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game.
Thanks for the memories Chris!
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