Inside The Heat

Hall Of Fame Inductee Gregg Popovich Calls Dwyane Wade A 'Super Competitor"

Rivals Dwyane Wade and Gregg Popovich set to enter the Hall of Fame at same time
Hall Of Fame Inductee Gregg Popovich Calls Dwyane Wade A 'Super Competitor"
Hall Of Fame Inductee Gregg Popovich Calls Dwyane Wade A 'Super Competitor"

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Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade is often associated with Dirk Nowitzki because of their rivalry in the NBA Finals. 

Coming a close second is probably San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. All three are in Springfield, Mass., this weekend to accept their inductions into the Hall of Fame. 

Wade faced Popovich twice in the the Finals, splitting series in 2013 and 2014. On Friday, Popovich spoke about Wade's competitiveness during his Hall of Fame press conference. 

"You could tell right off the bat he was a competitor and he was fun to be around," Popovich said. "As the years went by when I became a head coach and our teams competed against each other, you realize that he's not just a competitor, he's a super competitor. Somebody who does it with class, day in and day out."

Popovich also expressed he is a fan of Wade voicing his opinion on social issues. Both have used their platforms to speak on more than just basketball. Wade was responsible for the Heat showing their support in 2012 for Orlando-area teen Trayvon Martin, who was shot and killed by George Zimmerman. 

Since, Wade has spoken on a variety of topics, including his support for the gay and lesbian community. Wade has a child who identifies as transgender.  
"He's been special as a leader off the court, not just somebody that we watch play basketball," Popovich said. "He's a very special man." 

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Shandel Richardson covers the Miami Heat for Inside The Heat.

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Shandel Richardson
SHANDEL RICHARDSON

Shandel has covered the NBA since 2010, with previous stops at The Athletic and South Florida Sun-Sentinel. He has covered six NBA Finals, one Super Bowl, the NCAA basketball tournament. He has also been a beat writer for the Miami Hurricanes and contributed on every major beat in South Florida since 2003, including the Miami Dolphins and Miami Marlins. He can also be read in the Sportsbook Review for gambling coverage from around the NBA. A native of Bloomington, Illinois, Shandel attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He's also worked for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Kansas City Star. TWITTER: @ShandelRich EMAIL: shandelrich@gmail.com You can subscribe to our YouTube channel here Follow all of our Miami Heat coverage on Facebook here