It’s a sad day for the city of Miami and the Heat organization. Dwyane Wade has left South Beach after not feeling like part of the “HEAT lifer” culture they built, standing on opposite side of contract negotiations. Wade had taken plenty of pay cuts in the past for the betterment of the team and right when the organization was supposed to pay him what he deserved for being loyal to them over the years, they weren’t meeting his asking price. And in a shocking turn of events, he made the decision to move on and return to his hometown of Chicago.
So how did Pat Riley react to the news that Wade County is no more and he’s heading north to Chicago? According to the Miami Herald, they contacted him by text and this is what he had to say about the situation:
“SADDDDDDD!!!! SO saddddddd! I will never forget the sixth game in Dallas in 2006. DW rebounded the ball, and threw it to the heavens and the Heat universe was perfect for that moment. Our first world championship. Our universe is not perfect today. It will be fraught with anger, judgment, blame instead of THANK YOU!!! Ten years ago. Ten years older. Ten years wiser. Ten years changed. All of us. Dwyane had a choice, and he made it. He went home. Bad, bad summer for us. But there will be another 10 years, and it will be someone or something else in 2026. Move on with no blood or tears. Just thanks. I truly loved Dwyane, but families grow, change and get on with another life. He will always be a part of us. ALWAYS! And no more bruises and enough fighting. Let’s just fly above it if we can and never forget. I feel his pain and pride for what pushed him over the ledge. Been there. Forever, for always, your coach I will be. FOREVER!”
It’s going to take a while for Heat fans to get over this one.
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