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NBA media day blog: Pat Riley doesn't expect Chris Bosh to return to Heat

We bring the sights and sounds from NBA media day, checking in with the Heat, Knicks and many more. 

SI Staff

NBA media day blog: Pat Riley doesn't expect Chris Bosh to return to Heat
NBA media day blog: Pat Riley doesn't expect Chris Bosh to return to Heat /

NBA Media Day is here, which means the new season is right around the corner. Players and coaches hoping to make a good first impression will discuss the 2016–17 schedule, rotations and projections. Here, you can find news items and entertaining tidbits from all 30 teams. Early topics to watch include Chris Bosh's tenure with the Heat, Derrick Rose's criminal investigation and Paul Pierce's retirement at the end of the season.

Remembering the Kevin Garnett revolution

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Chris Bosh done in Miami?

Miami Heat star Chris Bosh has battled blood clots with hopes of reinvigorating his NBA career. It's starting to become clear that Miami won't be the place he does that. Speaking to media today, Heat president Pat Riley said the team is not "working toward his return" and explained that Bosh limited contact with the team in hopes of reconnecting when he could be cleared to play. Unfortunately, Bosh failed a physical in advance of Miami's training camp and Riley doesn't foresee a situation in which Bosh takes the court for the Heat again. There are obvious salary cap implications involved in Bosh's departure from Miami, but Riley maintained that the star center's health was always the No. 1 concern. 

“His health, playing and economics—it's been health, health, health,” Riley said, according to the Sun Sentinel. “Whatever the cap ramifications are, they are there, but we never ever thought about that.”

• MORE NBA: LAPD launches criminal investigation into Rose

Rose criminal investigation

In advance of the Knicks' media day, Thinkprogress.org obtained a letter an LAPD detective wrote to Derrick Rose's unnamed accuser. Detective Nadine Hernandez said in the letter that the accuser maintaining her anonymity “is an invaluable investigative aid to investigators" as they launch a criminal investigation into Rose. Team president Phil Jackson discussed the civil suit with media members. In his remarks, Jackson said it "wasn't something that kept [Rose] up at night." He added that he doesn't think it will "affect his season, games or training camp."

Rose, who later spoke with NBA.com's David Aldridge, said he expects to be exonerated. He could miss some time away from the Knicks this season, however.   

Anthony Davis got taller

Listed as one of Sports Illustrated's Top 10 players, Anthony Davis is an elite talent with an enviable skill set. And now there's one more reason for every NBA player to fear the brow—he's still growing. Davis, who was previously listed at 6'10" told media members he grew an inch over the off-season. So the player who has everything, including a 7'5" wingspan, keeps getting richer.  

There's still fun in Philly

The process paid off in Philadelphia and there should be an interesting season on the way. And while the team mostly consists of youngsters, there are a few veterans around the locker room. For players both at the start and end of their careers, training camp is a time to either gain weight or get in shape. Around this time each year, the 15-pound myth is typically alive and well. Elton Brand, who has now been in the NBA for 17 seasons, had a great quote to encapsulate this phenomenon. 

Lowry's cause

Much has been made of the protests that NFL players have launched in response to a number of police brutality issues throughout the country. The expectation is that NBA players will do the same. Raptors guard Kyle Lowry did not expand on his approach, but he did state that he wants to use his platform to create change.  

The zombies are coming

Raptors center Lucas Nogueira caught the attention of the basketball world when he walked across the stage on draft night in 2013. Originally picked 16th by the Celtics, Nogueira couldn't fit his large afro under his Boston hat. It turns out Nogueira's even more quirky than we first realized, and it sounds like he has a lot on his mind. 

Mo Williams retiring 

Mo Williams planned to return to the Cavaliers because of the opportunity to win a second NBA championship and provide stability at point guard behind Kyrie Irving. He has reversed course, however, and decided he will not return to the team, Cavs GM David Griffin announced on Monday. He reportedly informed the team just before media day, which was only a week removed from his decision to play for one more season.

Players and coaches speak out 

As expected, much of the Colin Kaepernick national anthem protest debate made its way to NBA media day. LeBron James spoke on the stance saying he respected any athlete or non athlete that voiced their issues in a peaceful manner. “First of all, I'm all in favor of anyone—athlete or non-athlete—being able to express what they believe in in a peaceful manner,” James said. “That's exactly what Colin Kaepernick is doing and I respect that. I think you guys know that when I'm passionate about something, I speak upon it. Me standing for the national anthem is something I will do. That's who I am. That's what I believe in. But that doesn't mean I don't respect and don't agree with what Colin Kaepernick is doing.

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich says he respects players who decide to protest during the upcoming NBA season, “I absolutely understand why they're doing what they're doing and I respect their courage,” Popovich told reporters.

He continued.

"When somebody like Kaepernick brings attention to this, and others who have, it makes people have to face the issue because it’s too easy to let it go because it’s not their daily experience," Popovich said, according to mySanAntonio.com. "If it’s not your daily experience, you don’t understand it."

Stephen Curry and Draymond Green voiced their opinions on it as well. “I respect Colin because he took a bold step to continue the conversation … but I do plan on standing,” Curry said.

Meanwhile you can watch Draymond's statement below:

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