ONE LAST SEASON FOR MIAMI ALL-STAR
Dwyane Wade recently announced his return to the Miami Heat, clearing the path for the 36-year-old’s 16th NBA season.
Prior to this upcoming season, there was just one year in which Wade failed to don a Heat uniform. After a failed campaign with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the shooting guard was welcomed to South Florida with open arms following a mid-season trade.
For the first time in Wade’s illustrious career, he has accepted a new role coming off the bench. The perennial all-star has continued to shine as a back-up, scoring more than 13 points in 30 minutes per game last year. In the playoffs, however, fans continued to see vibrant flashes of vintage Wade.
“I am glad to see Dwyane back in South Beach. At the end of the day, this is where he belongs,” said Blake Hatch, junior. “He is one of the greatest to ever wear a Miami Heat jersey. When Wade is playing, there is just a palpable difference in the energy across the arena.”
Wade gave many hints of retiring during his most recent postseason run, but he chose to delay the inevitable for another year via a video reveal on his Twitter.
“This is it. I’ve given this game everything that I have, and I’m happy about that,” said Wade. “I feel it’s right to ask [Miami Heat fans] to join me for one last dance, for one last season.”
With Wade playing one more year, he has the opportunity to put the finishing touches on a Hall of Fame career. He has been named an all-star on 12 occasions, won three NBA championships, a Finals MVP and also a scoring title. Of course, Wade also owns every record within the Miami Heat as well.
This is the storybook ending seemingly most basketball fans were hoping to see. Not only does Wade now have one more season to perform in front of the city that loves him dearly, but he also can cement himself as one of the greatest athletes of all time.
