Disrespected
Wade might insist that he has nothing but love for the fans in Miami and the Heat organization, but he’s obviously upset about how his departure unfolded. It started with some other players getting max deals ahead of him, and it ended with Heat president Pat Riley giving Dwyane a cold shoulder.
“I definitely don’t accept how it all played out…The year where ‘Bron left and they signed Chris [Bosh] to that max deal, I’m happy for Chris. He’s one of my best friends. I’m like, ‘Yeah. Okay. My turn.’ That hurt me. I’ve spoken this to Pat, that really hurt me. That was the first moment where I felt like I was being taken for granted. So I signed a shorter deal. Then the next year Goran [Dragic] comes in and they max Goran out. Same thing [for me], one year deal…All these players, they deserve the money they got. My grief is never with any of them. I love all those guys. But I’m sitting over here waving my hands saying, ‘Hey, guys.’ I understand everyone’s talk is, ‘The future, the future.’ My future is running out, and I’m still a good player in this league. I’m not asking for something that I don’t deserve…Did my feelings get hurt some? Yeah. But you have to make the decision that’s best for you.” – Dwyane Wade
In the end, it was Riley who made Dwyane feel disrespected and unwanted.
“It’s Micky Arison’s team but this is Pat’s show…I love Pat and I know he loves me. The fact that we didn’t talk, that hurt. That was my deciding factor. When it came down to it and he didn’t show that he wanted me there…I know [the Arisons] wanted me there. I know [coach Erik] Spo wanted me there. I know Udonis [Haslem] and those guys [wanted me there.] But at the end of the day, I didn’t here from the guy I needed to. And I expressed this to him later. That right there hurt me. And it showed me it was time to remove myself from the situation.” – Dwyane Wade
Now that he’s in Chicago, Wade is readying himself to make another big career decision this summer when he can use his player option to become a free agent again. While talking with Woj, the Chicago native talked about what exactly will go into that decision. His answer might surprise some Bulls fans.
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