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Why Chris Bosh Should Heed Bo Kimble’s Advice And Retire

By Ernest Shepard
Published on: 15:31 PST, May 24, 2016

Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh has a lot to think about this offseason. And there is an all-time great college player who wants Chris Bosh to strongly consider retirement from the NBA.

Former college basketball star Bo Kimble knows a lot about tragedy on a basketball court. It is something that the former Loyola Marymount forward hopes he never has to see again. After witnessing his good friend and teammate, Hank Gathers die during a college basketball game, Bo Kimble has some cautionary words for a current NBA star who has been saddled with two life-threatening health issues. Bo Kimble wants Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh to retire.

Kimble offered his concerns for Chris Bosh’s health during an interview with TMZ Sports.

“There are so many other things he could do with his life. Hank Gathers had the same thing, Hank could have been a comedian, and actor or did speaking engagements. It’s not worth the risk. I would just say absolutely not, don’t do it.”

For two consecutive seasons, Chris Bosh had his season cut short because of blood clots. Blood clots in the lungs halted his 2014-15 season at the NBA All-Star break. Once it happened, a potential Chris Bosh return was immediately ruled out. His illness was diagnosed as a pulmonary embolism.

A few athletes have attempted to play after having similar health scares. Tennis star Serena Williams and Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning are the most recognizable names on the list.

Williams, diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism in March 2011, took some time off from the WTA in order to recover. Upon her return, Serena Williams has won a plethora of tournaments. This includes each major tennis tournament at least once. Since it occurred, there have been no signs of any setbacks for her.

Prior to the 2011 Wimbledon tournament, Serena Williams readily admitted in an interview with The Guardian that she was in bad shape.

“I was on my death bed at one point – quite literally. I’ve had a serious illness but at first I didn’t appreciate that.”

Serena Williams is one of the fortunate ones. She is one of the survivors among those who have dealt with blood clots and hematomas. She knows the risks.

“At first people said it would be fine, it would be all right but it turned out to be a lot more serious. If it had been left two days later it could have been career-ending – or even worse. They told me I had several blood clots in both lungs. A lot of people die from that.”

The feeling that Serena Williams had while she was suffering from a pulmonary embolism mirrors Bo Kimble’s thoughts. Kimble has seen this movie play out firsthand and he does not want a repeat of want happened to his friend, Hank Gathers, on March 4, 1990.

That was the day Gathers collapsed and tragically died. It was later learned that he suffered hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Doctors are still researching Chris Bosh’s ailment. There are no concrete answers just yet as to why the blood clots have resurfaced. They have yet to confirm their origin. And, the doctors did not rule out a return to basketball for Bosh, but he must heed the advice of Bo Kimble. Chris Bosh should retire while he is at the top of his game and while he can live a normal life.

The February report by the Associated Press regarding Chris Bosh being back on blood thinners is enough to have the Miami Heat concerned. Chris Bosh and his family must exhibit similar caution.

In most cases, a team would do what they can in order to get their player back in uniform. What the Miami Heat front office has done in keeping Bosh off the court during playoffs was commendable.

A healthy Chris Bosh could have been the difference in the Miami Heat playing in the Eastern Conference Finals, versus watching them from home. Instead of treating Bosh as if he was a commodity, the Heat organization made a decision that was best for him long-term. Even though Chris Bosh had lobbied to play, the Heat practically ignored his requests. Miami saved Chris Bosh from himself.

No one can take anything away from Bosh for wanting to play. He has gained more respect from those who never considered what he had to endure. Now Bosh is faced with an important offseason.

What else is left for Chris Bosh to prove? Bosh has a resume which reads first ballot hall of famer.

He is a two-time NBA champion with an Olympic gold medal. Bosh is also an 11-time NBA all-star. His legacy is cemented as one of the greatest players of this generation.

As Bo Kimble pointed out, there is so much Chris Bosh can do in his post-NBA career. If Bosh wanted to be an analyst, he knows basketball well, plus he has a knack for being able to express his opinions without fail. Since he is an engaging person, if Bosh wanted to pursue acting, he could. There is an episode from the Disney series Jesse which Bosh appeared in. The Miami Heat star did well, albeit for a person who was playing himself. There are several post-NBA career paths he can take.

It is time for Chris Bosh to think life after basketball. Bo Kimble thinks he should retire. It is his belief that playing in the NBA is not worth the risk anymore. Chris Bosh had made plenty of money in his playing days. He and his family have generational wealth.

In Bo Kimble’s mind, we have seen the Chris Bosh story before with the heart attack and eventual death of Hank Gathers. A similar outcome took place when the Boston Celtics’ Reggie Lewis died from heart failure. In Chicago, the Chicago Bulls dealt with the health problems of Eddy Curry. Curry was never the same player once he was diagnosed with his ailment.

No one wants to see Chris Bosh rendered useless. This includes Bo Kimble. Bosh must think about his future.

Should Chris Bosh retire from basketball?

[Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images]

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