Chris Bosh: Goran Dragic was 'a great professional'

Bosh Dragic — Chris Bosh played six seasons with the Miami Heat, but played just 48 career games with Goran Dragic. (Credit: Rob Foldy/Getty Images)

Unfortunately, Chris Bosh’s career prematurely ended due to blood clot issues, last appearing in a game in Feb. of 2016.

Over 3,100 days later, however, the former Miami Heat big man appeared for a couple of minutes in Goran Dragic’s farewell event, “I Feel Slovenia Night of the Dragon” last weekend.

After the game, Chris Bosh, who wasn’t originally going to play in Dragic’s farewell game, spoke about his relationship with his former teammate:

“I didn’t even want to play today, I wasn’t going to play because I haven’t played for so long, but I just wanted to be out there with him, celebrating his career,” Bosh said, according to Eurohoops.net. “Everybody doesn’t get a chance to do this, you don’t get a farewell game. You don’t even get a farewell sometimes. To be here supporting him is been amazing.”

Due to Bosh’s bloodclots, the duo only appeared in 44 career games together–going 26-18 from 2014-16 after Dragic was traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Heat ahead of the 2014-15 deadline. When they shared the court together, they outscored opponents by nearly 3.7 points per 100 possessions.

“Goran is the best,” he said. “A great professional, a great human being, a nice guy. You want to play with nice guys, but mean on the court: they call him the Dragon for a reason. He’s a friend, to share the locker room with him for a little bit was great.”

Bosh’s injury was ruled a career-ending illness in June of 2017, though he didn’t admit until Feb. of 2019 that he was no longer pursuing a professional career. He had his number retired by the Heat on March 26, 2019. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to see more of one of the best duos in recent Heat memory. Who knows how 2017-20 would’ve ended up if both remained healthy? The thrill of the unknown, I suppose.

Over his 13-year career, the 11-time All-Star tallied 19.2 career points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists, ranking in the top-7 in franchise history in scoring, made field goals, rebounds and blocked shots in just six seasons with the Heat.