Since the news of Dwyane Wade signing with the Bulls surfaced, much has been made about his relationship with Heat president Pat Riley and how it factored into his decision to take his talents to Chicago. There has been talk that Wade "lost all trust in the organization." Some have said the 34-year-old felt disrespected by Miami's initial low-ball offer. The list goes on and on. But, at his camp in Miami today, D-Wade addressed the rumors head-on with a lengthy statement.
Per Ethan J. Skolnick of the Miami Herald:
“There’s going to be a lot of stuff that’s said about me and Pat. First and foremost, I love Pat Riley. He’s been someone who has been a figurehead in my life since I got drafted here at 21. But at the same time, he has a job to do. He has a different hat to wear. That hat sometimes is not to be my best friend. That hat is to be the president of the organization, and to be a businessman. And it sucks. Because you love somebody so well, you guys love each other, but the business side comes out. You know?”
He went on to acknowledge that there was a lot of "back and forth," but clarified that he's "never bashing Pat Riley. I'm never bashing the Miami Heat organization. I'm never saying nothing negative about them, out of my mouth, about them." He added, "Like I said, the business side just comes into play sometimes, and it's an ugly, ugly side. But at the end of the day, there's nothing but love from me."
So there you have it. Nothing but love.
Send all complaints, compliments, and tips to sportstips@complex.com.
