A lot of people would do crazy things for an extra $2 million in annual salary, even NBA players like future Basketball Hall-of-Famer Dwyane Wade. After 13 years of being the man in South Beach, Wade and Miami Heat team president Pat Riley couldn’t agree to terms on a new deal.
Wade spent years taking less to play with star players with the LeBron James-led Miami teams. He wanted to be paid handsomely in the twilight of his prime. Well, he might have exited his NBA prime last NBA Playoffs because he’s not the same player suiting up for his hometown Chicago Bulls.
Keep in mind that Florida doesn’t have a state income tax and in Illinois, you’re going to have to play taxes. So the argument over money was daft and Wade now plays for one of the most dysfunctional teams in the NBA. He’s playing for a head coach in Fred Hoiberg that wants to go three-and-d, while Wade doesn’t shoot threes at a high level and would prefer to attack the rim only when he’s healthy.
After Wade left South Beach, Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra has been doing remarkable work in taking a bunch of D-Leaguers and making the 2016-17 Heat playoff viable. Chicago and Miami have had similar records since January. Wouldn’t it be strange to see Miami get the No. 8 seed and Wade’s Bulls finishing in ninth?
While Wade is a no-doubt Hall of Famer, his move to Chicago has actually hurt his impenetrable legacy. In Miami, Wade could do no wrong. With the Bulls, he’s part of the problem. Wade, Jimmy Butler and Rajon Rondo should have led by example in Chicago as All-Star level players, not actively undermine Hoiberg. Going to Chicago was a massive mistake for Wade’s NBA legacy. Regal to petty in a year’s time is not a good look.