Bosh thanks Miami fans for support
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Heat fans, Chris Bosh has a message for you.
After Heat president Pat Riley said Monday that Bosh’s career with the team was probably over because of a failed physical and his ongoing issues with blood clots, Bosh thanked the c it y of Miami and Heat fans for their support in a letter posted to his website.
T h e me s s a g e f e l t l i k e Bosh’s goodbye to the Heat. Here’s a portion of Bosh’s message:
“It’s funny how things change. All I have right now associated with basketball are my friends and memories. And I’m so thankful for those things.
“I remember just a few years ago when the Big 3 were together and we were having a ball playing the game we love with some of the most professional, talented guys the NBA has ever seen.
“I remember the fans of Miami coming out to see the show every night. “The love, the compassion and the energy we felt was second to none. I want to thank the city of Miami from the bottom of my heart because things may change but the good times will last forever in my memories. “Thank you!
“Things are different now and Miami has incredible young talent with a tremendous upside. These are not only talented ball players but great people and friends. I enjoyed playing with those guys and doing my best to mentor them by being an upstanding role model and veteran player. It’s their time to go through the ups and downs of the game with this great city.”
Whiteside misses pract i c e : Ha s s a n Whi t e s i d e missed Friday morning’s training camp practice in the Bahamas, but the Heat aren’t too concerned.
The 27-year- old center with the new big contract sat out practice because of a sore left knee. Whiteside expects to be back at practice this morning before the Heat return to Miami in the afternoon.
“I’m just resting it. Today I felt some pain and I want to be safe,” Whiteside said to the Palm Beach Post.
One positive for the Heat and Whiteside is that the soreness is not coming from the knee that he injured in Game 3 of last season’s playoff series against Toronto. Whiteside missed the final four g a mes of t he s e r i e s because of a sprained right MCL.
While the Heat practiced Friday morning, Whiteside worked out “quite a bit” on the side.
“It’s more about being smart on the fourth day of camp,” coach Erik Spoelstra said of keeping Whiteside out of practice. “I anticipate he should be going tomorrow. He was able to do quite a bit on the side, so I don’t think he’ll want to do that workout again.”
Whiteside signed a fouryear, $98 million max contract this summer to return to Miami. He is one of only two Heat starters returning this season.
Whiteside averaged 14.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.7 blocks last season.