As Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade embarks on his 16th and final season in the NBA, the future Hall of Famer says he has no butterflies in his stomach and is excited for what the year will bring.
Wade re-signed with the Heat on a one-year deal worth the veteran's minimum a week before training camp started. He's going to get the farewell tour which former Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant got during the 2015-16 season.
“No butterflies,” Wade said following practice at AmericanAirlines Arena, via Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel. “It's more so you're excited, you're anxious to get it going. You've worked hard to this point.
“I definitely believe some moments are going to be like that. I'm going to try my hardest. But at the same time, I'm there to focus on the game, too, and I have a different preparation for that. “But there will be certain moments, certain places, certain people that you guys will see. I will try to soak it up a little bit more. I'm trying to figure this whole thing out, as well.”
Wade is the Heat’s career leader in points, assists, steals and games played. He has won three championships and was the 2006 Finals MVP. The Chicago native will have his No. 3 jersey retired in Miami one day. This year will be an emotional one for Wade and the fans in South Beach.
Dwyane Wade averaged 12.0 points in 21 regular-season games with the Heat last year. He began the 2017-18 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but was traded to Miami at the 2018 February trade deadline.