MIAMI — Chris Bosh was back around the Miami Heat on Monday night.
“Back where I belong,” Bosh said.
And with that, his recovery from a condition that could have ended his career — or life — keeps moving along.
In another encouraging step, the Heat said that Bosh is scheduled to resume “full basketball activities” in September, which would indicate that he expects to be able to play when training camp for the 2015-16 season starts. Bosh will be evaluated later this month and if cleared, “may begin regular exercise with plans to start strength training next month,” the team said.
The Heat released the statement from team thoracic surgeon John DeRosimo and team cardiologist Ed Neff.
“I knew I was going to play basketball again,” Bosh said during a brief news conference, his first public comments since he was diagnosed with blood clots on one of his lungs last month — a condition that the 10-time All-Star estimates he played with for about three weeks before finding out why he was in such pain.
It was all part of a very hectic Monday for Bosh. Earlier in the day, 35 Heat employees arrived via bus at his house and surprised him by dropping off 10,000 get-well cards. Bosh was in the driveway, basking in the sun and beaming as he held one of the many overstuffed boxes.
He’s been able to do some walking and is now taking short drives, but nothing taxing.
“I’m doing a lot better,” Bosh said.
His last game with the Heat this season was Feb. 11, just before the start of the All-Star break. Bosh was dealing with pain in his side and back but went to All-Star weekend in New York anyway — teaming with Dominique Wilkins and Swin Cash to win the Shooting Stars competition at the league’s midseason showcase for the third straight year.
Thumbnail photo via Mark L. Baer/USA TODAY Sports Images
