Gabrielle Union: Wade determined his future on own terms, 'not with his tail tucked between his legs'

Dwyane Wade made a triumphant return to Miami, as his Chicago Bulls took down the Heat 98-95. The game had everything a fan could hope for — pregame, postgame, and in-game drama.

This was Wade's first trip back to South Beach since departing earlier this summer. The air between him and team president Pat Riley was still nebulous from their contract talks that took a drastic turn, resulting in Wade opting to sign with his hometown Bulls after 13 seasons with the Heat.

The 6-foot-4 shooting guard didn't have the greatest showing, totaling only 13 points, but was cheered through every basket by the road crowd, a rather odd sight to see in an NBA arena.

Wade even got to play hero for his team, knocking down a pair of go-ahead free-throws to secure the win.

After the game, Wade spoke about Riley:

“There is nothing to squash in my eyes,” he told Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated. “I’ve spoken through [the media] and he’s heard me very loud and clear. I’m very appreciative of that and what we created in Miami. I have nothing to squash.”

His wife, actress Gabrielle Union was hoping for a break on the set of BET's Mary Being Jane to watch her husband play against the Heat. Union, 44, said she firmly supported Wade's decision to change teams, despite missing her friends and life in Miami.

“I wholeheartedly supported Dwyane’s decision,” Union said. “It wasn’t easy by any stretch, but I was so happy that he put himself in a position where he could determine his own future on his own terms. Not with his tail tucked between his legs, but rather with his head held high.”

What Union said taps right into why Wade had a hero's welcome coming back to South Beach and why he was cheered and supported even as an opposing player. He's kept a clean image with the city during his whole career and he's won multiple times, giving the city three more championships than beloved Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino.

Perhaps what makes it so hard to villainize him is the fact that he had already made a concession for the team the season prior, signing a one-year deal to remain in South Beach. Riley's antics and line of questionable decisions throughout the past few seasons have made him less favorable in people's eyes – certainly in comparison to D-Wade.