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Tim BontempsESPN
MIAMI – Dwyane Wade's last match at the American Airlines Arena – and presumably the last match of his Hall of Fame career – kicked off starkly.
The Miami Heat, with whom Wade has spent more than 14 seasons out of 16 in which he competed, paid tribute to Wade with a pre-match ceremony with a video tribute of his career recounted by a combination of family and legendary career personalities.
"Dude, you're going to make me cry before this game," Wade told the crowd laughing after reading the video. "Dude, I love you guys.
"I'm grateful for this moment, I'm grateful for this season."
Wade, who stood next to his eldest son, Zaire, then nominally thanked each of his teammates this season, including those who have been cut or traded since.
"Thank you guys for dancing with me this year," said Wade. "Thank you guys for your patience this year, thank you for all your love and for having my back this year.
"I have brothers who will always be my brothers, I love you guys."
The tribute video began with Spoelstra, Wade's head coach for a decade or so and whose first season as an NBA assistant coincided with Wade's rookie season. He then moved on to Shaquille O 'Neal, who recounted the first act of Wade's career, covering the championship they had won together in 2006.
From there, he moved on to the second act, recounted by LeBron James and covering both the "Big Three" era, which saw the Heat win two titles and reach four NBA Finals in four years, as well as his departure for the Chicago Bulls in the summer of 2015.
"Pressure like this could have bothered you," said James about the challenges facing these Heat teams, "but it has hardened you, strengthening you as a player, a man and a leader.
"Then you have reached twice the summit of the mountain, different case, same conclusion.
"Your second act saw your arrivals as one of the most respected athletes on Earth, and the departure of your home that drove you there."
Three people told the final act: Wade's wife, actress Gabrielle Union; Udonis Haslem, his longtime teammate; and Pat Riley, who has either coached or led the team throughout Wade's career.
"We applauded, we cried, we chanted your name throughout the city and up to the summits," Union said. "It was more than a meeting, it was a renewal of the role you wanted to play – from flash to fatherhood."
"And now you go on the stage one last time, we salute you," said Haslem, "as a player who has fallen seven times and who has risen eight times."
"Because, whatever stories come up," said Riley, "know that this city will always be proud to represent your name on its back.
"Because that is, and will always be, Wade County."
The video was then turned to Zaire Wade, who was shown to enter the American Airlines Arena – imitating some of his father's early moves, from the mid-range sweater. to a dummy pump – before slowly climbing the steps. from the bowl to a microphone, where he sat down and introduced his father.
When the lights went out, Zaire was standing in front of the central courtyard, where his father then went to him and greeted him before addressing the crowd.
Throughout the video, Wade rarely left the jumbotron screens above him, except to briefly scan the crowd several times. He kept moving while stretching, but his eyes remained stuck above him while the video was playing.
Shortly after, after Wade's speech in front of the crowd, Heat's longtime presenter, Michael Baiamonte, introduced it in detail, as announced the last player in the training.
The heat coach, Erik Spoelstra, had refused to say whether Wade would start before the match, but it would have been shocking not to have made his first start of this season in what could be his last match in this building.
After spending time with Union and their young daughter at the Central Court, and after a pre-game video told by all of his teammates, Wade took a tour around the field and begged the crowd to get up.
And then, during the first part of the game, he snuck into a wide open corridor, to the delight of fans in his hometown.
Wade scored eight points in the first quarter to help the Heat take a quick lead of 34-20. And throughout the course, the Heat continued to pay tribute to Wade throughout the game by launching small tribute videos at each stop.
1:22
Barack Obama congratulates Dwyane Wade on his legendary career and wishes him a happy retirement.
The first was from fellow Chicago, former President Barack Obama, who congratulated Wade as fellow Windy City for his success.
"Every time you've been knocked down, you've shown us how to rise," said Obama. "You showed the spirit of Chicago and you made us proud."
The next time was introduced by Wade's other son, Zion, who had a message for his father.
"Now, after all these beautiful things, do not lose your last home game," he said, much to the delight of the spectators.
After the first quarter beat, a John Legend song chronicling the highlights of Wade's childhood was also played.
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