Despite his team's ghastly chances of making the postseason, Dwyane Wade reflected on what could be his last-ever home game with the Miami Heat, as he and his teammates prepare to take on the Philadelphia 76ers Tuesday:
“It’s been incredible, it’s been amazing,” Wade said Sunday of playing home games at the bayside arena, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. “A lot of people at that arena have watched me grow, have watched me be imperfect, have watched me make a lot of mistakes in life, but have watched me blossom, and watched me do amazing things, great things.”
Wade reflected in a recent interview with Rachel Nichols of ESPN's “The Jump,” saying that there were times last season in which he didn't feel like working out or waking up early for practice, yet he has come to cherish every single one of his practice habits, becoming more fond of the daily grind as he approaches the end of his illustrious career:
“So I’m thankful for it. I’m thankful for that drive up. It’s been a [constant] in my life for a long time. Definitely going to be emotional if it’s my last drive away from that arena, if I’m not coming back to it,” said Wade. “Hopefully things go our way where we can come back to the arena for the playoffs.”
The Heat would love to do it in no sweeter way than beating the team that bounced them from the postseason last year, all before taking on the Brooklyn Nets Wednesday for a season finale.
ESPN's Power Index has the Heat at a 1.2% chance of making the playoffs, while Basketball-Reference gives them a gentle edge of a 1.6% chance to continue on after these last two games.