MIAMI, FL — After 16 years in the NBA and more franchise records than any other player ever to put on a Heat uniform, Dwyane Wade was introduced by his son to a standing-room-only crowd Tuesday night and a tearful goodbye from his city — in his county — in the house that he built — in one last graceful, unforgettable, beautiful dance.
“You’re all about to make me cry before this game,” Wade confided in an emotional pregame ceremony before the final home game of the 2018-19 season at AmericanAirlines Arena.
The Heat was officially eliminated from playoff contention during the game, but no one would have known it from the Heat-loving crowd, who wanted to be a part of basketball history.
“I love you guys man. I’m thankful for this moment. I’m thankful for this entire season,” Wade said, before thanking each of his teammates by name.
During one play Wade ran into the crowd and bumped into entertainer John Legend and his wife, Chrissy Teigen, which drew smiles.
Former President Obama, who shares Chicago roots with Wade, praised No. 3 in a taped segment aired during the television broadcast.
“For 16 years you’ve given us high wire dunks, big shots and big moments, more blocks than any guard in history,” Obama said. “You were willing to sacrifice your body in the lane and sometimes sacrificed your ego in pursuit of a title. And whenever you got knocked down, you always showed us how to get back up. You showed some Chicago spirit and you did us proud.”
The record books will show that the Heat won their final home game against the Philadelphia 76ers by a score of 122 to 99.
Wade scored 30 points in his final home game and his first start of the season. He would follow that performance with a triple-double on Wednesday night in Brooklyn to cap off what he would describe as an “Oscar-worthy script for my last dance, for my last season” as an NBA player.
“I thank you guys for dancing with me this year. I thank you guys for your patience this year. I thank you all for your generosity this year. I thank you all for your support,” he said in Tuesday’s pregame speech.
Wade praised his teammates for making his last season a memorable one.
“I thank you all for your love. I thank you all for having my back brothers. If this season has been about me, I’ve enjoyed this season with you guys,” Wade said. “I got some brothers that will always be my brothers. I love you guys, man. Heat nation. Thank you. Love you guys.”
Wade ran into the stands for a final goodbye after the final buzzer at AmericanAirlines Arena as his wife, Gabrielle Union, and family members looked on.
“Wade County I love you,” he declared.