Heat’s Chris Bosh addresses team ahead of playoffs

Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh addressed the team before the start of the NBA playoffs.

Get breaking news and SI’s biggest stories instantly. Download the new Sports Illustrated app (iOS or Android) and personalize your experience by following your favorite teams and SI writers.

Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh gave his team an emotional address before the start of the NBA playoffs, teammates told reporters Friday.

The Associated Pressreported the Heat’s comments.

• WOO: First-round matchups ranked by entertainment value

Bosh has missed every game since the All-Star break with a reported blood clot scare. Bosh released a statement last month saying he did not have deep vein thrombosis, but he is reportedly taking blood thinners. 

“Chris talked today to us, as a team,” Heat guard Dwyane Wade said. “The biggest message is someone who lived for this moment, someone who envisioned these moments especially after last year, he doesn’t have the ability to be in it.”

Heat guard Goran Dragic said Bosh lamented not being able to play during the postseason.

“It’s really tough for him,” Dragic said. “He wants to be part of this on the court and it's really hard to watch and not to do nothing. It's a tough situation for him but we need him— even if he’s not going to play, his ability to talk to the players, show what you’re doing wrong, how you're supposed to do it on the floor, it’s big time.”

• JENKINS: Bosh has new outlook on life after near-death experience

The Heat will play the Hornets in the first round of the playoffs.

Bosh played 53 games in the regular season, averaging a team-high 19.1 points.

[AP]