An honest reaction from a lifelong Heat fan

[Peteballa]

I love Dwyane Wade. I always have. He's been the face of Miami for the last 13 years - in the 305, we call it Wade County instead of Dade County, for a reason. He's been loyal, taken paycuts multiple times, and has given his heart and soul to the city of Miami. He was the first jersey I ever bought, and one that I will treasure forever.

That being said, while he is still an incredible player, he is old. The window for winning in the NBA by a team other than Golden State, Cleveland, or San Antonio, does not lie in the present - it lies in the future. I would've loved to keep Wade, even if it meant overpaying him (25M is an overpay, even in the current market), because he IS the Miami Heat, and always has been. However, in terms of the success of the franchise, it will work out for the best if we develop our young guys and try and build a core that sticks together for the long haul.

Long story short: I will miss Wade. I'll still wear his jersey and tell everyone about how his 08-09 season was the best I've ever seen. But I understand why he left, and I understand why Riley let him leave.

Heat fans, be excited. It was an amazing era, but the next one will be unique and fantastic in it's own right.

Peteballa out

[wang4three]

Swallow that Tyler Johnson poison pill

[Peteballa]

I have mixed feelings about TJ. I LOVE his game, but I don't know if he is worth that contract, even if he improves significantly. However, with the market the way it is, we should absolutely match New Jersey's offer.

[WayOfWad3]

Am I a lifelong fan if I've been one for 10 years? Either way, I feel more or less the same way you do. I am the proud owner of 5 Dwyane Wade Jerseys, and I will still wear them the same as I did before. This doesn't erase what Wade has done for this franchise and what he made it. I still love Wade and even though I would've loved him to stay, this isn't the end of the world. Miami still has one of the best front offices in the League, we've got Whiteside, Richardson, Winslow, and a great chance at getting future free agents to come over in the future with Riley at the helm.
As for Wade, he is still my favorite basketball player and likely always will be, this doesn't change things. Hate all you want ISH, it's just a game, there's more to life than basketball; just enjoy it.

[chocolatethunder]

I said this when Lebron left, the game has passed Riley by. He's one of not just the best coaches but also best execs ever but he's out of touch. Maxing out Dragic and matching that Bosh deal and now maxing Whiteside and ignoring Wade was just dumb. I think that he thinks that playing for Pat Riley still has some sort of prestige to it but it just doesn't anymore. It's a player's league now and that's the shitty reality. The heat are going to either be mediocre or suck for a while unless they can make a major move but I'm not sure that's possible. It was a great run but it's over. Whiteside can be a great player but he's not really a franchise cornerstone. It will be interesting to see in which direction they try and go.

[stalkerforlife]

I love Dwyane Wade. I always have. He's been the face of Miami for the last 13 years - in the 305, we call it Wade County instead of Dade County, for a reason. He's been loyal, taken paycuts multiple times, and has given his heart and soul to the city of Miami. He was the first jersey I ever bought, and one that I will treasure forever.

That being said, while he is still an incredible player, he is old. The window for winning in the NBA by a team other than Golden State, Cleveland, or San Antonio, does not lie in the present - it lies in the future. I would've loved to keep Wade, even if it meant overpaying him (25M is an overpay, even in the current market), because he IS the Miami Heat, and always has been. However, in terms of the success of the franchise, it will work out for the best if we develop our young guys and try and build a core that sticks together for the long haul.

Long story short: I will miss Wade. I'll still wear his jersey and tell everyone about how his 08-09 season was the best I've ever seen. But I understand why he left, and I understand why Riley let him leave.

Heat fans, be excited. It was an amazing era, but the next one will be unique and fantastic in it's own right.

Peteballa out

I live in Gainesville, too. Let me know if you want to play one on one and post the video on ISH.

:cheers:

[inclinerator]

http://s27.postimg.org/vqh3b6tur/Justin_Lee_Dancy_mugshot_22114876_400x800.jpg

[derb2k2]

**** this thread dude. The Heat organization is supposed to be 'family'. No one player had ever done more for our Heat than DWade, man.

I guess I gotta go blow off some steam. :facepalm :facepalm

[DaSeba5]

I fully understand why they did it as painful as it is to accept. Wade is my favorite player of all time. I've been watching him since I was 10 years old. He is my Jordan. But they had to start the youth movement and move on. Tough situation in every way.

[plowking]

I'm happy. We get to see the younger guys play and develop. Not a whole lot of wins predicted from my end, but I really enjoy the process of building a team, and seeing the guys you take a risk on, or draft, eventually end up developing into something good or great.

[sammichoffate]

Laker fan here, I wish that he was able to stay as a heat player. I always respected him and what he did for ur franchise, even with his lapses at times. Im glad you guys were able to get 3 titles with him, he'll always be the player that I respected the most matching up against LA. You guys stay classy, I hope that you'll be able to rebuild quickly and get back to the finals someday :cheers:

[RRR3]

I'm happy. We get to see the younger guys play and develop. Not a whole lot of wins predicted from my end, but I really enjoy the process of building a team, and seeing the guys you take a risk on, or draft, eventually end up developing into something good or great.
Happy? :kobe:

[Papaya Petee]

Happy? :kobe:
Hes never been the biggest Wade fan. Especially post 2010

[TheNaturalWR]

Hate it. We're not going to do shit in the next 5 years, might as well treat Wade with the respect he deserves. And quite frankly, I'm not that high on Winslow as majority of Heat fans are. He's going to be a 3&D player at best and even then he's probably only going to be a 30-35% shooter from 3. Love JRich though. He's going to be great. Whiteside is also going to struggle without Wade spoon-feeding him easy baskets. We're going to be really bad this season, will still try to catch some games though.

[TheWinningFam]

http://s27.postimg.org/vqh3b6tur/Justin_Lee_Dancy_mugshot_22114876_400x800.jpg
:roll: :roll: :roll:

[OnFire]

Swallow that Tyler Johnson poison pill


Dont have to. With wade gone if the heat want to keep tj they can offer him a better structured deal with same avg salary.

[FashionIssues]

loyalty is dead, if you a fraud you a fraud. his teams after shaq were 20-30 win teams. it says a lot about his own worth. riley is thankful for his friendship with lebron but that's about it. go home to the bulls

[FashionIssues]

and watching young rejects develop and pray is depressing. keep betting on that if it soothes the pain.