WADE HAPPY TO SEE JAMES — CAVS, TOO

Wade eager to see how his Bulls stack up vs. LeBron’s defending champion Cavs

Dwyane Wade chose his words carefully.

At 34, he’s as well- versed in the media game as any player in the NBA, with a full grasp of social media. He knows which comments can be taken out of context and what drives “article hits,’’ as he calls them.

So when discussing the four years he played with LeBron James on Thursday, his praise was heartfelt. The bromance was real.

When asked if he could foresee a reunion, Wade refused to throw chum in those waters.

“You know what, that’s the one thing I learned in this league first of all,’’ Wade said. “I never thought I would play with LeBron. I mean, I enjoyed the All- Star Games, I enjoyed the Olympics, but I never thought we would play together.

‘‘ That’s why I look at young guys and what they say, and you never know what the future is going to hold for you. So keep your comments to yourself on the future.

“I will keep my comments to myself for whatever. For me, I’m here and I’m happy to be here, but I was happy in Miami, as well. It just happened. You never know what’s going to happen in this game, so people should never say never or anything.

“That’s not saying that I want to play with LeBron. Let me clearly say that. I’m not saying that I want to be somewhere that I’m not. That’s not saying it at all, but I also understand how this league works, how this thing goes, and people need to know: Just don’t say nothing.’’

His guarded answers on that subject were the exception when discussing James.

The game Friday against the Cavaliers is a big one for Wade. James, his good friend and former teammate, is coming to town with the defending world champions and paying off a World Series bet in which he will be wearing a full Cubs uniform.

Wade refused to divulge details of the uniform, insisting only that James was a “stand- up guy, so he’s going to let you guys get your moment. Everyone is going to get their moment. I’m going to have my camera crew out there, too.’’

Bigger than that, though, Wade admittedly is using the game as a measur- ing stick for the Bulls, especially after the disappointing loss Wednesday to the Lakers.

“I won’t be one of those cliché athletes to say it’s just another game,’’ Wade said. “I just enjoy it more, simple as that. I enjoy playing against LeBron more than anybody else just because of the things I know he’s going to bring to the game.

‘‘ Great people bring greatness out of you. He’s always done that for me, and I think I’ve done it for him. So I’ve always enjoyed it.

“You can say what you want about anybody else around the league, but they are the measuring stick. And any team that LeBron has played on in the last 1,000 years has been a measuring stick for the most part in the Eastern Conference, so for us coming off a bad loss, I want to see how we respond as a team.’’

And Wade, more than anyone else, knows how James is going to respond.

“He’s arguably one of the top three to five players to ever play the game,’’ Wade said. “And he’s not done playing yet.’’

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FRIDAY CAVALIERS AT BULLS The facts: 7 p. m., CSN, ESPN, 890- AM.