It's been more than a year since Dwyane Wade parted ways with the Miami Heat organization, departing for his hometown Chicago Bulls. That resulted into a one-year run after the franchise decided to re-build and go in a different direction, resulting in a consequent buyout and move to the Cleveland Cavaliers to play alongside his friend LeBron James.
This move did not sit well with Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, who wasn't expecting such a quick transition.
“This is like the twilight zone,” Spoelstra said after his team took down the young Bulls on Sunday, according to Tom D'Angelo of The Palm Beach Post.
“Every time he’s in a new uniform you’re like, ‘OK.’ But not that team. It will never seem right. For me, I hate it.”
Wade has played for the Heat for 13 seasons before departing — to some, an even bigger staple than Dan Marino was as a member of the Miami Dolphins of yesteryear.
Yet Spoelstra has found it in himself to be happy for his former star player, noting he's in a win-now situation at 35 years old.
“I’m happy for Dwyane, I’m happy for his family,” Spoelstra said. “I think he’s in a good spot. I think the role that he’s in is going to be one of the most impactful roles in the league.”
Wade has settled in a bench role for his current team, far from what Spoelstra could fathom with him as his player, but a move that doesn't surprise him due to his character.
“I’ll be telling stories about Dwyane 20 years from now to young players on what it really means to do whatever’s necessary to win,” Spoelstra said. “And Dwyane has proven that time and time again.”
“It’s such a great lesson for young players in this league that winning is the most important thing and that’s what Dwyane embodies.”
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