Seven months ago most Rockets fans, employees and supporters were mad at the world when Houston struck out on landing two of the biggest free agents from last summer's talented pool, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh. Fast forward 210 days or so and its probably the best signings that "didn't happen" in the history of the franchise.
Chris Bosh has been diagnosed with a blood clot on his lung that has ended his season, and possibly put his career in jeopardy. Carmelo Anthony just underwent knee surgery on Thursday that ended his season, and it will be 4-6 months before he can resume basketball activity. Both guys signed 5-year max contracts in excess of $118 million dollars guaranteed! And they will see every single penny of it even if they never dribble a basketball again.
Bosh has clearly the most serious of the issues. His condition is especially scary considering longtime NBA veteran Jerome Kersey passed away this week from a blood clot on his lung. Kersey, who spent the majority of his NBA career with the Portand Trail Blazers was only 52 years old. Bosh is 30. Basketball is the last thing he and his doctors are concerning themselves with at this point. Just making sure he can survive the blood clot with no long term effects is all everyone wants for Bosh right now.
Anthony, also 30, finally decided to end his season and have surgery on his ailing knee at the urging of Knicks management. Anthony was still putting up productive numbers despite the injury (22nd overall Slam rating of 40.16). But with the woeful Knicks having no shot at the playoffs, it was in the organization's best interest to shut him down and hopefully have him ready for the start of training camp next season.
One would think if Anthony was in the middle of a championship run with the Rockets he would probably continue to play through the injury and have surgery in the offseason. Therefore he would probably miss the beginning of the 2015-16 season.
But considering the Rockets are already without Dwight Howard for at least the next month with a knee injury, the season could have turned into a complete disaster if Bosh or Anthony were here. They would still have Chandler Parsons at an overpaid price of about $14 million per year. But there wouldn't be a Josh Smith, Corey Brewer or Trevor Ariza, and maybe no Jason Terry. The Rockets would be in salary cap hell with no way out. It could be Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady all over again.
But luckily its not. And despite recent struggles on the court and the inability to solve their point guard problems, the Rockets are still in relatively good shape compared to the rest of the NBA contenders. They have the 5th best record in the NBA. They still maintain some cap flexibility going forward. And if they can get Howard back healthy for the playoffs, the Rockets maybe able to win a couple of playoff series and make things interesting around here in May.
Best wishes to Bosh and Anthony on full and speedy recoveries. But the Rockets have to be somewhat thankful both guys decided to stay home.
twitter: @kmooresports
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