Dwyane Wade: Miami Is 'Forever Going to Be My Home' After Final Home Game
After Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade scored 30 points in the final home game of his NBA career Tuesday, he discussed his love for the city of Miami.
According to ESPN.com's Tim Bontemps, Wade said:
"It's meant everything. To be able to come here and be embraced, to find a home, to be able to grow. I think that's the one thing. When I was on the court early on and Stan [Van Gundy] let me grow, as a player, to whether it was mistakes I made in life to whatever it was, this city has allowed me to grow.
"I hope they are proud of what they have helped me become. This city means everything to me. It's forever, forever, forever going to be my home."
The Heat were eliminated from playoff contention, but the retiring Wade left AmericanAirlines Arena on a high note as the game's leading scorer in a 122-99 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
D-Wade was honored before the game with a lengthy ceremony that included video messages from many of the most important people in his life and career, including former teammates Shaquille O'Neal and LeBron James, and his wife, Gabrielle Union.
Even former President Barack Obama praised Wade in a video message, saying: "Whenever you got knocked back down, you showed us how to get back up. You showed Chicago spirit, and you did us proud."
After the video, Wade took the mic and said: "Man, you're going to make me cry before this game. Man, I love you guys. I'm thankful for this moment. I'm thankful for this entire season."
The emotions evoked from the pregame tribute didn't seem to hinder the 37-year-old Wade, as he enjoyed one of his best games of the season. Over 35 minutes, he scored his 30 points on 10-of-23 shooting to go with three rebounds and three assists.
Despite Wade's strong showing, the Heat saw their playoff hopes extinguished when the Detroit Pistons came from behind to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 100-93 on Tuesday.
The 2003 No. 5 overall draft pick out of Marquette spent nearly his entire 16-year career with the Heat, excluding a one-year stint with his hometown Chicago Bulls and 46 games with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Cleveland traded Wade back to Miami last season.
D-Wade is a 13-time All-Star, three-time NBA champion and one-time NBA Finals MVP, dating back to his remarkable playoff run alongside Shaq in 2006.
While playing with James and Chris Bosh, Wade reached the NBA Finals four years in a row, winning two. James' departure removed the Heat from championship contention, but Wade continued to thrive individually.
For his career, Wade boasts averages of 22.0 points, 5.4 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game during the regular season and 22.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 177 playoff games.
While Wade has played his final contest in Miami, his NBA career will officially end Wednesday when the Heat face the Brooklyn Nets on the road.
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