Dwyane Wade’s decision to leave Miami — the only place he’s ever called home during his 13-year NBA career — came as sad and surprising news to many around basketball, including his former boss Pat Riley.
After news broke Wednesday that the longtime Heat guard would be leaving South Florida to join the Bulls, it became clear that somewhere along the line, Miami president Pat Riley or someone else within the organization royally screwed up the relationship with Wade.
We’ve still yet to hear either side give their stories on record, but Miami Herald columnist Dan Le Batard asked Riley about his reaction to the news of Wade’s departure. Not only was it immediately clear that Riley was bummed by the decision, but it also became quite apparent that he is an obnoxious texter.
Riley was too raw to talk about it Wednesday night, but I asked him if he wanted to say anything about how he was feeling, and this is what he wrote by text:
“SADDDDDDD!!!! SO saddddddd!”
Confirmed: Pat Riley texts like Donald Trump tweets.
Though that about sums up Riley’s feelings, he also went on to add more:
I will never forget the sixth game in Dallas in 2006. DW rebounded the ball, and threw it to the heavens and the Heat universe was perfect for that moment. Our first world championship. Our universe is not perfect today. It will be fraught with anger, judgment, blame instead of THANK YOU!!! Ten years ago. Ten years older. Ten years wiser. Ten years changed. All of us. Dwyane had a choice, and he made it. He went home. Bad, bad summer for us. But there will be another 10 years, and it will be someone or something else in 2026. Move on with no blood or tears. Just thanks. I truly loved Dwyane, but families grow, change and get on with another life. He will always be a part of us. ALWAYS! And no more bruises and enough fighting. Let’s just fly above it if we can and never forget. I feel his pain and pride for what pushed him over the ledge. Been there. Forever, for always, your coach I will be. FOREVER!”
I’m sure there will be plenty of stories to come out detailing why Wade felt disrespected enough by the Heat to leave South Florida — where he established himself as the most beloved athlete and champion that Miami has ever seen — for a contract and situation that seemingly isn’t that much more appealing in Chicago. (The Heat did re-sign Hassan Whiteside and they already locked up Goran Dragic for five years last summer.)
But what we know for sure right now is that Wade’s legacy in Miami isn’t quite as shiny as it used to be, and that makes Pat Riley so saaaaaaaad.
