Cavs na si Wade
CLEVELAND, OH (AP) – Pormal na ang baliktambalan nina LeBron James at Dwyane Wade sa Cleveland Cavaliers.
Ipinahayag nitong Miyerkules (Huwebes sa Manila) ni Cavaliers General Manager Koby Altman ang paglagda ng kontrata ng two-time NBA champion.
“We’re extremely happy that Dwyane chose to join us in Cleveland and become a core part of helping us achieve success at the highest level,” pahayag ni Altman.
“Dwyane has proven time and time again that he is a leader and competitor of the highest caliber and that his focus is centered on the ultimate goal. The deep commitment and consistency that he has shown to the game as a 12-time NBA All-Star and three-time NBA Champion is remarkable and he’s going to be a difference maker on the court and in the locker room with our team.”
Naitala ni Wade (60 laro) sa Chicago Bulls sa nakalipas na season ang averaged 18.3 puntos, 4.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists at 1.43 steals sa loob ng 29.9 minuto. May pagkakataong nakaiskor siya ng 30 o mahigit pang puntos.
Orihinal na napili si Wade ng Miami Heat noong 2003 NBA Draft (fifth overall pick) at napili sa NBA All-Star sa 12 season (2005-2016), kabilang ang siyam bilang starter at MVPsa 2010 NBA All-Star Game sa Dallas.
“I’ve always dreamed of playing for the Chicago Bulls and I feel so fortunate to have fulfilled my dream this past year. The team is now heading in a different direction, which has made me reevaluate where I need to be in this phase of my career. Being a part of a team that is in the process of rebuilding doesn’t align with where I want to be right now no matter how difficult that decision may be.
“In the hopes of pursuing a fourth championship, I’ve reached a deal with the Chicago Bulls and I am excited to share that I will be joining the Cleveland Cavaliers this season. There’s no better place to be right now to continue to play and compete at the highest level. Cleveland believes in my talents and what I can bring to a championship contender both as a player and leader. I look forward to reuniting and playing alongside my brother LeBron. We’ve already won two championships together and I hope we win a third,” pahayag ni Wade.
“This was an incredibly difficult decision and I am very grateful to the Bulls organization, my fans and the Chicago community for welcoming me home with open arms. It meant so much to me seeing my mom on the sidelines cheering me on as a Bull. I am so proud of the work we have been doing in the community and we plan to continue these efforts. It’s been an honor and a privilege to play for my hometown. Chicago holds a very special place in my heart and will always be home to me,” aniya.
Tatanggap si Wade ng veteran maximum deal na $2.3 milyon sa isang season.
“I’m all about the challenge. “If I didn’t want the challenge, I would have stayed in Chicago. But I wanted the challenge of being back on that big stage and playing in those moments and seeing what I’ve got. So I’m not going to talk about what I’ve got. I want to go out there and show, when the lights are the brightest and the games are the biggest, that’s when I’m alive. And I need that.”