After health scare, Chris Bosh glad to be back on hardwood

Shortly after Chris Bosh played in his 10th All-Star Game in February, the two-time NBA champion found himself relegated to a hospital bed, fearing for his life.

As he endured medical tests and treatment for what doctors discovered were blood clots in his lungs, Bosh focused not on the game that made him rich and famous - the game that he loved - but the impact his condition would have on his children.

"I didn't want them to come too many days, so I made sure they only were there one day," Bosh told ESPN's Michael Wallace.

"(Adrienne) got them all dressed up to come, and I was like, 'OK, I have to do this for them. I just have to show them I can be strong, that daddy was OK.'"

Luckily for Bosh, he was surrounded with a strong support network of individuals - Miami Heat players and staffers - who have had health scares of their own.

Bosh's teammate, Luol Deng, experienced a botched spinal tap procedure in 2013 which resulted in multiple infections.

Alonzo Mourning, the former Heat center and current vice president of player development, struggled with symptoms stemming from a kidney disease. The Hall of Famer eventually underwent a kidney transplant and would go on to win a NBA title with Miami in 2006.

With his teammates and family rallying around him, Bosh was medically cleared to resume basketball activities eight months after his initial diagnosis.

Bosh's return to the court has had a positive effect on his state of mind.

"I'm back playing basketball," Bosh said, "so my mental health is back where it is supposed to be."

In the Heat's first preseason game on Sunday against the Charlotte Hornets, Bosh finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, and two assists in 23 minutes.

With this important benchmark now behind him, Bosh realizes that his journey back to full strength has only just begun. And a critical part of said journey is precautions from his doctors.

The 31-year-old will have to wear compression tights and socks to stimulate blood circulation and take baby aspirin whenever necessary.