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Thunder In the News – All-Star goes Hollywood, Melo film, Bosh Bomb

By Tamberlyn Richardson

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 04: Chris Bosh attends a basketball game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center on January 4, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 04: Chris Bosh attends a basketball game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center on January 4, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder in the news examines the start of the All-Star break, Carmelo Anthony film room evidence and Chris Bosh’s bomb.

Every OKC Thunder player and coach took a deep exhale the minute the Minnesota Wolves game finished. Finally, this team who recently played six games in six different time zones gets some well deserved R and R.

OKC Thunder trio head to LA:

For two OKC Thunder varsity players and one OKC Blue G-League player the break won’t start immediately.  Russell Westbrook and Paul George will play in the main event on Sunday.

In addition, George will participate in the JBL Three Point Competition joining seven other snipers. on All-Star Saturday Night. While Rashawn Thomas is one of 13 G-League All-Stars who’ll play the Mexico National Team on Sunday.

For the full 2018 NBA All-Star schedule chick out TI’s comprehensive itinerary listing participants, event times, TV coverage and links.

Chris Bosh Bomb:

Big news from Chris Bosh. Fans are well acquainted with the former Heat player dropping photo bombs, but this bomb was of a very different variety. Bosh dropped the news he has stayed in shape and wants to play again. And, Bosh isn’t talking next season. He coyly told Steven A. Smith he has until March 1st which tis the deadline for teams to sign  buyout prospects.

When Smith queried which teams Bosh felt were the top three he quickly cited three. Those were  Houston (Bosh is from Texas), Golden State and interestingly chose Toronto (not Cleveland). When pushed though, Bosh said he would be open to whichever team (Raptors or Cavaliers) made the best offer.

Here’s the thing. Would Chris Bosh risk offending LeBron James by citing the Raptors ahead of LeBron’s team if he was genuinely serious about joining them.

Pushed on his condition, Bosh said it was similar to talking to lawyers because you’ll get different opinions.

Bosh’s Condition – Pulmonary Embolism

From a medical perspective, and to be clear I have no medical acumen, just the articles we’ve all read. That said there appears to be a couple of key concerns. Players who deal with blood clots must be on blood thinners. This isn’t ideal in professional sports (especially when a player can suffer cuts or scraps which lead to bleeding).

The Specific Issues (Medical and Contract related)

Another major issue is flying, particularly on long flights when immobility can cause blood clots to form in the legs and then move to the lungs or heart. Long distance travellers have witnessed passengers getting up and moving around just to keep their circulation moving.

As this original article pointed out, it’s unlikely the NBA medical panel who agreed with Heat Doctors would reverse their decision without ample proof of a change in Bosh’s condition or treatment.

"However, it’s still not easy for Bosh to return. To be cleared by the NBA, Bosh must meet with the same joint medical review panel that made the original decision and prove that there has been a new circumstance regarding his health — say, a medical advancement or a “material change in the player’s medical condition,” per cap guru Albert Nahmad."

Still, it might be worth Sam Presti giving this situation a look see. Since Bosh sure would be a nice pickup especially if he could provide serviceable minutes off the bench.

Ultimately, it’s a long shot, and Bosh’s health must always take precedence. But, it can’t hurt to investigate the situation. It should also be noted any team who did pursue adding Bosh would need the NBA panel’s clearance. And, would be required to pick up the portion of salary Bosh still had on his contract had he not been forced out of the NBA due to the medical issues. That factor may be more of a problem for OKC than the actual medical hurdles they would need to clear.

Given Bosh (as per above video) is still talking money his $50 million still owed this and next season is a massive deterrent. Therefore, getting past the medical hurdles might not be the greatest obstacle.

Carmelo Anthony is very much a big part of the OK3

More from Thunderous Intentions

Melo’s propensity for dribbling the air out of the ball and lack of defensive prowess are easy targets for OKC Thunder fans and pundits alike. In spite of those shortcomings there is also ample evidence pointing to how Anthony adds value and tangible results to the OKC.

Thunderous Intentions Gideon Lim does a deep dive in the film room to give you an idea specifically why Carmelo Anthony is so valuable.

"One of the OKC Thunder’s season narratives so far has been about a new “Big 3”. With Steven Adams enjoying a historic season for himself, the media has declared that it is just as well Carmelo Anthony take a back seat on offense. But, with the team staring down a crushing collapse against Memphis, Melo showed why he remains pivotal to the Thunder’s title hopes."

That wraps up OKC Thunder in the news for Friday, February 16th. Stick with Thunderous Intentions this weekend as the writing team keeps you up to date on all the events, recapping each, breaking news and especially the activities of Westbrook and George.

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