“We knew that some of the hate was because of our skin color" - Dwyane Wade hits back at critics of the Miami Heat 'Big 3' era
Dwyane Wade is one of the best players in Miami Heat history. He won three championships with the franchise and was a big reason why LeBron James and Chris Bosh came to Miami in 2010.
The Heat received a lot of flak for forming a super team as NBA fans believed it was unfair to load a single team with superstars. The Heat's Big 3 fell to the Dallas Mavericks in their first year together, but bounced back and won back-to-back championships.
Wade believes that a lot of the hate they received was because of their skin color. The NBA legend recently appeared on JJ Redick's podcast where he spoke about the Heat's Big 3 and how they changed the landscape of the league.
“We knew that some of the hate was because of our skin color. Because of being black men and deciding to control the fate of our careers. So when we had the power, when we had the moment, we took it. But some of the hate came because we were three black guys who decided."
"And we changed the way that the NBA probably would ever be because of that decision." [sic]
Wade also compared the power that teams have to the power that players have in the league today. The three-time NBA champion explained that organizations do not hesitate to trade away a superstar if they fail to live up to expectations.
"Organizations will do it quickly. They will trade a Dwyane Wade in a heartbeat if you're not accomplishing what they want you to accomplish."
Dwyane Wade compares Miami Heat to Jordan's Bulls and Magic's Lakers
The Miami Heat had a fantastic core of Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh for several years and the team received a lot of hate for it.
However, this was not the case when Michael Jordan played alongside Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman for the Chicago Bulls. Magic Johnson and Larry Bird also played on super teams, yet most NBA fans weren't too concerned when that happened.
Wade was quick to point out the hypocrisy of fans, adding that teams do not win titles unless they are filled with multiple great players.
"No one gives backlash to any championships that Larry Bird won, that Magic Johnson won, that Michael Jordan won. Michael Jordan played with other Hall of Famers. You don’t win championships without playing with other guys that are great.”
Scottie Pippen won more playoff SERIES without MJ than MJ won playoff GAMES without Pippen.
Let that sink in.
Who needed who?