Pat Riley was feeling pretty emotional after free agent Dwyane Wade decided to leave the Miami Heat for the Chicago Bulls.
Wade had spent all 13 seasons of his career with the Heat, was an All-Star in 12 of them and leads Miami’s all-time list in scoring (20,221 points), games (855) and assists (4,944), just to name a few. So, it surprised most everyone Wednesday when Wade chose to join his hometown Chicago Bulls instead of remaining in South Beach.
Riley was among those surprised, and he told Dan Le Batard of ESPN and the Miami Herald as much in a very interesting text message.
“SADDDDDDD!!!! SO saddddddd!” the Heat president’s text read, per Le Batard. “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!”
It sounds like Riley already started drowning his sorrows before sending that text.
Thumbnail photo via Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports Images
