Bosh locker room pep talk inspires Heat

MIAMI – Back in the Miami Heat locker room for the first time in nearly a month, Chris Bosh had things he needed to say.

His teammates hung on every word.

Bosh gave an impromptu speech on Monday night, his first time around the Heat since being diagnosed last month with blood clots on a lung that threatened his life – but only took away his season. He told them how his biggest pain now is not being able to play basketball, reminding them not to take anything for granted.

“It was great having him here,” Heat guard Dwyane Wade said.

It won’t be such an uncommon occurrence for much longer.

Bosh is getting closer to recovery and a return to the NBA. The Heat revealed he could be cleared to start regularly exercising later this month, and is scheduled to resume “full basketball activities” in September.

“All the love and energy has really, really allowed me to be back here,” Bosh said. “Not under the circumstances I want to be, but beggars can’t be choosers. Very happy to be here and I’m doing a lot better.”

Bosh has no way of really knowing, but figures he played with the clots on his lung – a dangerous situation, to say the least. (AP)