In a lengthy interview with Bleacher Report, Dwyane Wade talked about his relationship with LeBron James, Wade’s new teammates, and how last year ‘wasn’t fun.’
“Me and LeBron, I’d go to Cleveland, we’d go to the movies,” Wade told Bleacher Report of his relationship with James before James joined the Heat. “He’d come here, we’d hang out. And then we’d go on the court, and we’d compete. And then after the game, that’s my boy.
“Then we got here, we teamed up, became even closer. And now it’s the same thing. You know, we’re still gonna be friends, and we’re still gonna compete our ass off, until the day we can’t compete no more.”
Wade says he has a new perspective, even if the goal of reaching the playoffs is still the same. This time, the 10-time All-Star wants to savor the journey rather than just focus on the destination.
“We went to the Finals four years in a row, and it was everything we wanted from that standpoint,” Wade said. “But sometimes throughout that run at certain times, it just wasn’t fun.
“I think now I’m at the point where I want to enjoy the game. Because once I’ve won three championships and been so successful, you’ve got to have something to play for. And I want to be able to play for my teammates and just the joy of the game.”
That joy was missing last season when the Heat lost to the Spurs in the NBA Finals.
“We wanted it,” Wade said. “… But sometimes you can put too much on yourself, all of us, and it becomes a black cloud. Last year wasn’t fun. I mean, there was no stretch of it fun. That whole season, to me, it’s amazing we made it to the Finals. It’s just honest.”
With Bleacher Report, Wade talked about how there was a renewed focus and energy within the coaching staff and the new players the organization has brought in.
“…it’s good for everyone to come in every day and want to be here,” Wade said.