South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Wade hopes to be James’ teammate
MIAMI — Dwyane Wade has no issue being a third-round pick ... as long as he is the first pick of that third round.
As part of the machinations that landed Wade his
13th All-Star nomination, Wade and Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, as “special” selections by Commissioner Adam Silver, will be part of a twoplayer third round of Thursday’s televised AllStar draft between team captains LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
First the 10 players determined by fan-mediaplayer balloting will be divided up in the first round.
Then the 14 reserves selected by coaches (or their injury replacements) will be divided up in the second round.
Finally, in what in effect turns into a third, supplemental round, the choice will come down to Wade or Nowitzki.
Selecting first in that round will be James, Wade’s championship Miami Heat teammate in 2012 and ‘13.
Suffice it to say, Wade is not exactly on pins and needles.
“He better pick me,” Wade said as the Heat turned their attention to Saturday night’s game against the Indiana Pacers at AmericanAirlines Arena. “I’m not even going to play. He better pick me. I’m not going to play this game.”
As in not going to even give it consideration that his longtime friend would avoid one last game as teammates amid Wade’s
16th and final NBA season, after playing as Heat teammates from 2010 to ‘14 and then for the first half of last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Wade had been cautious about lobbying for a berth, aware of the meaning of such appearances to emerging stars. With Silver’s decision, it opened up a spot for Brooklyn Nets guard D’Angelo Russell to make his All-Star debut as Silver’s selection as the injury replacement for sidelined Pacers guard Victor Oladipo.
“It was a dope gesture,” Wade said of Silver making the exception for himself and Nowitzki. “I told him and I said, at this point I appreciated my fans for
voting for me, but I didn’t want to be put in a position where he’d take a roster spot of someone who’d get their first opportunity to go the All-Star Game, or second or third. I’ve had 12 chances at it.”
Wade had placed second in fan balloting for an Eastern Conference starting backcourt berth, behind only Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving, but that voting counted as only 50 percent in the weighted process.
“For the commissioner to create that opportunity for Dirk or myself, it’s cool,” he said, with the Heat having beaten Nowitzki’s Mavericks in the 2006 NBA Finals and then lost to Nowitzki and the Mavericks in the 2011 Finals. “I think I appreciate it more getting in this way. So I’ll be there. I’ll enjoy everything that goes around, take it all in.
“And I’m glad I can share the opportunity with Dirk, one of the game’s greatest players, someone that I’ve had battled against. It’s only right. So look forward to the opportunity.”
The All-Star Game is Feb. 17 in Charlotte, part of a seven-day Heat break that still should afford Wade, 37, ample time for rest. Wade had planned on attending All-Star Weekend regardless of a berth in the signature game, for marketing and other commitments.
Having spent the season exchanging jerseys with opponents after games, Wade left open whether there would be a similar exchange at the All-Star Game.
“I don’t know,” he said, having made such an exchange after Friday night’s loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder with fellow AllStar Paul George, a longtime Heat playoff rival while with the Pacers. Wade already has exchanged jerseys with James this season, after the Heat’s Dec. 10 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center.