Battier says he has empathy for Bosh, team
MIAMI — On a night of song and silliness, Shane Battier first turned serious when asked about the attempt by former teammate Chris Bosh to return to the Miami Heat this season.
Before kicking off karaoke mayhem that was scheduled to include Bosh as part of Battier’s Battioke fundraiser at the Ball & Chain nightclub, Battier was asked about what appears to be a stalemate between the Heat and Bosh, who has missed the second half of the past two seasons due to blood clots.
“I feel for Chris. I feel for the Heat,” Battier said before the event that benefits his Take Charge Foundation. “Obviously, as a friend, I’m worried about Chris’ health, first and foremost. Basketball is a bonus at this point. I knowin his heart of hearts, he wants to play. He knows he can play.”
Battier said he also appreciated the Heat’s position, amid concerns of a third and perhaps more severe episode.
“There are certain legalities that are an issue here on both sides, and I think the time has not been right to address those,” Battier said, with both the NBA and the players’ union possibly to become involved. “With training camp, they’ll be addressed, they’ll be addressed. But just as a friend of both the Heat and Chris, it’s been tough towatch.”
The Heat open training camp Tuesday in the Bahamas after Monday’s media day at American-Airlines Arena.
Bosh has been undergoing his preseason physicals, with the All-Star forward yet to be cleared by the team to return. Bosh has been the lone player of the 19 currently on the roster yet to participate in the team’s informal workouts on the practice court at American-Airlines Arena.
Coaching staffs rounded out
The Heat added Octavio De La Grana to Erik Spoelstra’s coaching staff. De La Grana worked as an assistant with the Heat’s D-League affiliate last season, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. De La Grana’s position in Sioux Falls as a Skyforce assistant will be taken by former Heat guard Anthony Carter, the team announced Thursday.
Dan Craig, who coached the Skyforce to last season’s D-League championship, will return to Spoelstra’s staff to help offset the loss of David Fizdale as Grizzlies coach and Keith Smart as a Grizzlies assistant.
Nevada Smith was named Skyforce head coach Wednesday.
Carter, a 14-year NBA veteran, returns to the Heat organization after playing for the team from 1999 to 2003. He also played for the Spurs, Timberwolves, Nuggets, Knicks and Raptors, appearing in 623 career NBA games.
Carter previously was an assistant coach for the Austin Spurs of the NBA Development League for two seasons.