Chris Bosh found himself in a tense situation with the Miami Heat six years into his tenure in South Beach. One flashpoint came with his failed physical before the 2016–17 NBA season.
Frustrating on its own, it was made worse by learning about it through the media rather than directly from the team’s front office. Bosh said he experienced that exact fate, with the lack of transparency and communication clearly signaling where his career was headed.
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“I guess my career in Miami’s done,” revealed Bosh, per ESPN.
When brotherhood breaks
In late September 2016, the Heat announced that Bosh, then in his early 30s, had failed the physical required for the upcoming season.
The veteran forward had already missed substantial stretches in the previous two seasons due to a blood clot diagnosis. Still, the news stunned NBA fans. They weren’t the only ones surprised by the headlines — Bosh was, too, saying he had no prior knowledge of his test results and learned about them the same way everyone else did: through the media.
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“I didn’t get a call or a text or anything like that,” fumed the 11-time All-Star.
Bosh called the situation kind of tough, citing several factors behind that feeling. By his account, the Heat had long emphasized clear communication, and he and the franchise had shared two NBA titles and countless defining moments.
Furthermore, within the organization, people had frequently spoken of commitment, brotherhood, and culture — but all of that, Bosh said, was thrown out the window when he wasn’t informed about his failed physical in an honest way, such as a one-on-one conversation.
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Despite acknowledging that the league is a business, CB4 said you don’t want to find out such things through the media and that it hurts to learn that way.
From fallout to honor
Every story has two sides, and this one was no exception. According to ESPN, the Heat painted a very different picture.
“A Heat spokesman responded by saying the team was unable to reach Bosh after calling, emailing and texting him before putting out the statement,” wrote Brian Windhorst.
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For Bosh, however, the damage was already done. The revelation hit hard, leaving him to contemplate the next chapter of his Hall of Fame NBA career.
“I guess my career in Miami’s done. My career’s not done,” he said. “There’s 29 other teams, it’s a whole league. One team does not make up the opinion of everything.”
Still, moving on wasn’t as straightforward. Bosh remained under contract with the Heat and his blood clot diagnosis made returning to the court a serious gamble — whether in South Beach or elsewhere.
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By June 2017, medical realities confirmed what everyone feared: his condition was career-ending. Although hard to digest, it brought valuable clarity for both the player and the franchise.
Ultimately, the dispute over Bosh’s physical was unpleasant to witness, yet it didn’t prevent reconciliation. The Hall of Famer and the Heat eventually repaired their relationship, paving the way for the retirement of his number one jersey before a regular season game against the Orlando Magic in March 2019.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 9, 2025, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.