Talk about putting it bluntly. Miami Heat President Pat Riley chimed in today about Chris Bosh's future with the team, and he seems to have way less hope for his return than Chris does. Get his response inside...
It's been a tough weekend for Chris Bosh. The last man standing of the Heat's Big 3 is on his way out as well, let Pat Riley tell it.
After Chris failed his preseason physical, the Heat confirmed he would not be allowed into training camp. Of course, the rumors swirled about whether Chris, who has been battling injuries and resulting blood clots since last season, would be forced into retirement. Chris tweeted that he's going to keep pushing. But Pat Riley just made it known he won't be pushing anywhere with the Heat.
Setbacks may happen, but my intentions remain the same. Thank you all for the warm wishes and support. #BoshRebuilthttps://t.co/D1m9i7BOEe
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) September 24, 2016
The former Heat coach told the Sun Sentinel:
"We are not," Riley said in his office at AmericanAirlines Arena. "I think Chris is still open-minded. But we are not working toward his return. "We feel that, based on the last exam, that his Heat career is probably over."
Asked if he felt Bosh's NBA career was over, as well, Riley said, "that's up to him." "It's pretty definitive from us, in our standpoint, that this is probably going to be a time where we really have to step back," Riley said.
He does have a heart though. He said:
"I love C.B. dearly," he said. "It was tough to watch C.B. and his family go through this the last couple of years. Your heart just goes out to him." Riley compared the mood around the team to Magic Johnson's HIV announcement. "Dealing with Magic Johnson and what he went through . . . it's not easy to be with a player for six years and watch him play and watch him accomplish what he's accomplished," Riley said of Bosh. "I can't imagine what he's going through."
After sources say Chris has no trust in the team, Pat said:
"If there was a level of mistrust, I don't know what he's talking about," Riley said. "Contrary to how this thing has been perpetuated in the media, we have worked very, very hard with Chris. "I don't know where that came from. We were there the whole time when he was in the hospital in 2015."
Sounds like Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce won't be the only ones announcing their retirements....
Photos: Getty
