Dwyane Wade’s team was eliminated, and he was sore and getting treatment, unsure if he could play. But with droves of Heat fans and the Who’s Who of the NBA glitterati on hand to pay homage in his final game, he put on a show.
Wade had a triple-double in his swan song, 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in a 113-94 loss to the Nets at sold-out Barclays Center.
“I couldn’t have [scripted it better]. Coming into a game like [this], out of the playoffs, these are tough games when you’re not playing for anything. I’m not the kind of player who wants to just come down and shoot the ball every time,” said Wade, who went 10-for-28 from the field. “So coming into the game, I was like, ‘Let me see if I can get a triple-double.’ ”
With Miami already eliminated from playoff contention, Wednesday marked the final game for Wade.
The Nets had a video and moment for the 13-time All-Star right after the national anthem, with Wade’s wife, Gabrielle Union, and pals LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul on hand.
“It means a lot to me. I’ll always be there for them,” said Wade. “We’ve got a brotherhood. Those are my brothers.
“I gave 100 percent. As athletes we think we have 110 to give. But for me I’m happy with this season. Unfortunately for all the issues with my team, we weren’t able to put ourselves in position to win enough games to be in the playoffs. But what I wanted this season I’m happy to say I completed that … and I can retire and be happy about my career and my body of work.”
Wade took a fall in Tuesday’s game and his knee was sore before the game. He woke up early, got treatment and played through the pain.
“I was very close [to not playing],” laughed Wade. “It’s unfortunate I had that fall. With the way my knee is set up it can’t take that. … That further lets me know I made the right decision to retire now.”
Magic Johnson stepped down as the Lakers’ president of basketball operations Tuesday. And after trading D’Angelo Russell to the Nets and ripping him on the way out the door, Johnson threw some more shade at the All-Star guard.
“[We] had to give up a really talented young player in D’Angelo Russell. And congratulations to him making the [All-Star team], I couldn’t even say it. Also, we saw D’Angelo mature. He wasn’t mature like he is now,” Johnson said. “He always had the talent to score; but he was immature. Now he’s grown up, and that’s why he’s an All-Star.”
Russell took it in stride.
“For that type of caliber guy to have an opinion towards me, I take it in as any type of constructive criticism,” Russell said. “But I’m two feet over here where my feet are. I’m not too worried about what’s going on over there or what anybody over there has to say about me. I’m trying to look past that and build my legacy over here.”
The Nets exercised the Standard NBA Contract Conversion Option on two-way wing Theo Pinson’s contract.
Pinson is eligible for the playoffs, got a raise and will be a restricted free agent this summer.
“I can’t wait to give him a big high-five. He earned it. If there was ever a guy who earned it, he did,” Atkinson said.