After 13 incredible years in South Beach, Dwyane Wade informed the Miami Heat that he's moving on in favor of his hometown team, the Chicago Bulls. This made Pat Riley sad. Very, very sad.
According to the Miami Herald, Dan Le Batard reached out to Riley for a comment last night after learning of the news and he responded with a lengthy, raw text message.
Caps lock, excessive exclamation points, and lots of sadness. This text had it all.
“SADDDDDDD!!!! SO saddddddd! 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!”
Meanwhile, this was how Hassan Whiteside reacted to Dwyane Wade's departure last night.
[Via]