The Miami Heat and Chris Bosh have had an arduous relationship this year. The power forward thought he could play following his issues with blood clots, but the team disagreed, leaving him to sit out the entire season. The two sides are finally beginning to work together toward a resolution regarding their contract stalemate, though. With that, they should build their relationship even further, by keeping Bosh in the loop...just in a different role.
Chris Bosh's playing future
Throughout the year, Bosh maintained his desire to keep playing, with or without the Heat's assistance.
He believed himself to be healthy enough to take the court, despite the scary blood clots that ended his previous two seasons. There's no reason to believe he's ready to compromise on that belief yet.
It's unclear if another team would be willing to take a risk on Bosh, however. He's one of the best players of his generation, earning a max contract from the Heat just a few years ago. Nobody wants to be responsible or liable in the worst case scenario, though, which is seeing Bosh suffer a life-altering or life-ending blood clot on an NBA court. For many reasons, it would be one of the most devastating moments in the history of sports. So long as that risk remains -- even slightly -- Bosh will struggle to find a job playing for a professional basketball team.
Miami Heat allegiance
Would Bosh be interested in coaching? In a recent interview with Larry King, he refuted the idea, at least of coaching at a professional level. That doesn't mean he can't be swayed, though. Perhaps he doesn't think he has any interest in it because he is still too focused on salvaging his dormant playing career.
Or maybe he really doesn't want to do it. Either way, the Heat have the ability to entice people to do things they don't necessarily believe they want to do.
Miami turns former players into professional coaches. Juwan Howard is a prominent example of that, serving as an assistant last season. Chris Quinn also served in player development; he played for the team from 2006 to 2009.
Team president Pat Riley -- while sometimes abrasive -- has fostered an environment where people typically stick around for a long time. The relationship between Bosh and the Heat was awkward this season, to say the least. Handing the player a coaching job could be the best way to mend fences and build a prosperous future for both the player and the team.
