Why Chicago's hopes rest on Dwyane Wade
CHICAGO – The lingering voice had played over and over in Dwyane Wade’s mind, the ultimate clincher to his departure from the Miami Heat. Out of the darkness inside the United Center, Wade surged into the light and into the culmination of arguably the summer’s most surprising free-agent decision. Time and again since July, Wade listened to those words flow in his mind.
“From Chicago …”
“Six-foot-4 …”
“No. 3 …”
Dwyane Wade, a Chicago Bull.
“Hearing the introduction – ‘From Chicago …’ – wow, it felt great,” Wade said late Monday at his locker.
[Sign up for Yahoo Fantasy Basketball | Mock Draft | Latest news]
For eight seasons, the city had Derrick Rose as its hometown star, and Rose achieved so much, so quickly. Wade already has commanded a similar reverence – the glory from his 13 superstar seasons and three NBA championships with Miami – but soon, the onus of meshing the Bulls’ roster will fall on Wade, Jimmy Butler, Rajon Rondo and coach Fred Hoiberg. For now, this preseason serves as a shield for concerns over the Bulls’ lack of shooting and durability concerns.
Wade and Butler were limited to the first half Monday, and they provide promise for the Bulls to compete with the league’s best teams on a given night. Butler has returned stronger after an offseason of training that began at 5 a.m. and included strengthening his body and court work with his trainers. He sought Wade’s acceptance of the Bulls’ offer in July and signed off on the signing.
Wade went 2-of-2 from the three-point line and had three total shot attempts, playing a little less than 12 minutes in the 93-91 loss to Milwaukee. His impact will have to be immense and he must instill confidence in a roster that includes youth in Doug McDermott, Nikola Mirotic, Bobby Portis and Tony Snell and veterans such as Rondo, Robin Lopez and Taj Gibson. For a legitimate playoff push, these Bulls need a productive, sturdy and defiant Wade, perhaps more than even he knows.
“We’re all trying to get to know each other still,” Wade said. “It can be sloppy at times, but we have to get in our offense quicker and trust Rondo and any other teammate.”
The light shined upon his teammates, the public-address announcer preparing the first introduction of Dwyane Wade, and he came to the forefront. Chicago wanted Wade in 2010, wanted him in his prime, but the loss of Rose to New York created the ideal opportunity, this natural glorification for another hometown player.
“From Chicago …” the arena boomed.
Now Wade aims to resemble his prime years and not a player closing in on the finish line. The first hurdle was cleared Monday.
“I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on this uniform, on hearing my name announced here,” Wade said. “Miami is past. I’m here. First game down, and hopefully many more to go here.”
More NBA coverage from The Vertical:
