Bam Adebayo, Jaime Jaquez Jr. Among Those Praised By Miami Heat Legend Dwyane Wade
Sunday night was all about Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade.
But Wade briefly turned the spotlight away from himself to praise several Heat players after their win over the Charlotte Hornets. Among those named were star Bam Adebayo, rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr., and veterans Duncan Robinson and Josh Richardson.
"First of all, Jaime is a baller," Wade said. "Let's just start there. I'm proud to be able to watch the game of basketball. To watch the Heat and see Bam do what he's doing and become the player he's becoming, become the leader he's becoming. Here to see Duncan doing what he's doing, and J-Rich, guys that you had something with their journey. I'm like a proud papa in that case."
Wade said his biggest career aspiration was earning the respect of those in the basketball world, even after his playing days.
"When people asked me what I wanted when my career was over, I always said I wanted respect," Wade said. "I wanted the respect of my peers most importantly, peers before me, peers after me and peers at the same time. I've had that constant respect, and I appreciate that. That to me feels greater than anything, when your peers give you that."
He's certainly earned that within the Heat organization, winning three championships as the most decorated player in franchise history. Wade will be honored with a statue outside Kaseya Center this fall.
Who knows? Maybe Adebayo or Jaquez Jr. will have their own statues beside Wade one day.
Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.
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