Fansided

Heat’s Chris Bosh appears to be near top condition after illness

By Tom West

Jan 16, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) as a timeout is called after making a basket against the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Miami Heat defeated the Sacramento Kings 95-83. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) as a timeout is called after making a basket against the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Miami Heat defeated the Sacramento Kings 95-83. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Miami Heat forward/center Chris Bosh appears to be in peak physical health this offseason.

After joining the Miami Heat for the 2010-11 season alongside LeBron James, Chris Bosh has been an integral part of the team. However, due to suffering from blood clots on one of his lungs, he’s been unable to play since February. As Bosh has continued his recover over the offseason, though, he’s reportedly nearing top physical form.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald has discussed Bosh’s improvement of the summer:

"“Chris Bosh, working his way back from blood clots on his lungs, looked great –– consistently nailing his jump shots — and appeared physically strong in workouts near his Southern California home this past week with Dwyane Wade, Hassan Whiteside, Mario Chalmers and other Heat teammates, according to someone in attendance. Erik Spoelstra flew in to watch those California workouts.”"

Of course we’re yet to see Chris Bosh take to the floor, but the fact he’s “physically strong” is extremely promising for the Miami Heat organization and their fans. When he’s given time to adjust to the intense nature of scrimmaging over training camp and actual competition when the season starts, Bosh should be able to return to form fairly quickly. That’s one of the perks of being a big man who relies on finesse instead of explosiveness and physical force. And with Hassan Whiteside to dominate the paint and glass alongside him in the Heat’s starting lineup, Bosh can continue to utilize his ability as a shooter.

Despite being an All-Star every year since going to Miami, Bosh’s 2014-15 campaign was somewhat of a comeback season. That’s just the result of having the best player in the world on your team. LeBron came in and took control at both ends of the floor, which soon led to Bosh’s production dropping.

His points and rebounds per game fell every season during his first four years in Miami, which soon turned Bosh into a 16.2 point, 6.6 rebound per game power forward in 2013-14, in comparison to the 24 point, 10.8 rebound per game terror he was during his final year in Toronto. Declining stats aside, though, Chris Bosh has by no means lost his talent as a top stretch-four.

That became clear from the second the Heat played their first game since LeBron’s departure. Bosh went off for 26 points and a season-high 15 rebounds in their 2014-15 opener, reminding everyone that he was far more than just “the worst player in the old Big 3”. He even buried 3-of-4 three-pointers to begin the best year of his career from beyond the arc, finishing the season with 1.4 threes per game on 37.5 percent shooting.

After that, Bosh didn’t slow down. With 21.1 points per game, he recorded his highest scoring average since joining the Heat. Add on his 45.5 percent shooting from 16 feet out and his improved three-point game, and Bosh is the perfect power forward to compliment the interior physicality of Whiteside.

Now, with October getting closer, the dull wait for the 2015-16 season is almost over. For Heat fans, it seems that on top of the emergence of Whiteside, the additions of Amar’e Stoudemire and Gerald Green in free agency, and the acquisition of Justise Winslow in the NBA draft, they have the return of a healthy All-Star to look forward to as well.

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