Everybody knew that 36-year-old, 12-time NBA All-Star Dwyane Wade would come back to Miami one day. Now he’s back in South Beach and looking to end his career with the team that drafted him, in his own way.
The man who won three titles with the Heat left South Beach on less than stellar terms but after spending about a season-and-a-half with the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers, Wade learned that maybe the grass wasn’t greener on the other side. He’s back home now after a trade deadline deal and he vows this will be his last stop in the NBA.
Before he leaves, he undoubtedly will get some recognition for his contributions to the NBA. But Wade isn’t looking for a Kobe Bryant-esque farewell tour like the former Los Angeles Lakers star received back in the 2015-16 season.
In a sitdown with ESPN’s Jorge Sedano, Wade talked about a bunch of things surrounding his return to Miami, including if he wanted that farewell tour.
“I talked to Kobe about that. He was like ‘It was exhausting. As flattering as it was, it was very exhausting as well.’ I’m not a narcissist like that. I don’t think I need it. I’m not calling Kobe a narcissist. He earned it and needed that. But I can’t set out and say I want a farewell tour like Kobe Bryant. That’s not who I am. I don’t really talk about it, but when the time comes [to retire] I’ll announce it in my own D-Wade fashion. Hopefully, I can move on and live on the memories from that point on.”