Bosh expects to return improved
MIAMI — Chris Bosh is ready to release the new and improved version of himself.
After missing the second half of the season because of blood clots on his lung, Bosh expects to return as a better player next year.
“Way better than that,” Bosh said. “Way better.”
The reason is because this is the first offseason Bosh feels he has enough time to actually work on his game. He is expected to return to basketball activity in the next few months. With the Heat playing in the NBA Finals the past four years, Bosh rarely had opportunity to put in offseason work.
Bosh said going back to “square one” will help refine his game.
“That’s really where I am,” Bosh said. “That’s how I’m taking it. I just took it as a blessing that I have time to actually work on my body … Just taking those steps slowly. I’ve never had the time. Usually, during the offseason we have to hit the ground running, but this year I have the opportunity to correct some things.”
The offseason for Bosh “started two months ago” when he was diagnosed. He remains on blood thinners, and his limited workouts consist of light running and weight training. The time away allowed him to regain his hunger for the game.
Bosh admitted he had grown somewhat disinterested during the Heat’s very successful previous four seasons. The flame was “burning low a little bit.”
“Maybe I need to miss basketball,” Bosh said. “I miss it, and I still got five more months. This is what I need. I need to recharge my passion because I was getting beat down a little bit over the last four years. That’s what success does. Now is an opportunity for me to really go back in the lab and work on my game.”
Watching the playoffs from home will almost serve as a therapy. Another team representing the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals will only strengthen his drive to return the Heat to prominence.
“It’s something we’re definitely not used to,” Bosh said. “It’s going to take some time. I was telling my teammates I already went through it. In about two weeks, you’ll kind of start really feeling weird. We get so adjusted to the schedule we don’t really know what to do. We just kind of walk around.”
Still, Bosh was impressed with the Heat’s effort despite a season marred with injuries. They weren’t officially eliminated from the playoff race until the day before the season ended. They finished one game behind the Brooklyn Nets for the eighth and final postseason spot.
“We still had a chance,” Bosh said. “We still fought for it. It came down to the last day. I think we can really take pride in that.”
Bosh hasn’t shot a basketball since competing in the Shooting Stars challenge during NBA All-Star Weekend. Days later, he was ruled out for the remainder of the season after being hospitalized for more than week.
His only basketball activity has been playing on a miniature hoops with his children.
“I’m excited,” Bosh said. “I haven’t had a chance to work on my game…. I feel like a young fella again out there.”