?I?m Really Hurt… That Hit My Ego?: 3X NBA Champion Dwyane Wade on Facing Disrespect in Olympics, Despite Being a Finals MVP

Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade was an electrifying player on the court. His 2008 injury was penciled in as a possible no-return for the player. But he made his comeback to the league and went on to average 30 points that season. His basketball intelligence allowed him to understand where to use his athleticism, and where to use quickness.

Dwyane Wade recently spoke about the new Netflix documentary, ‘The Redeem Team’. The host, Jemele Hill asked him how he dealt with an?injury during the Olympics. Wade admitted that he hadn’t fully recovered from his knee injury, and it took him a long time to get back to his best.

Read More: LeBron James Was Snubbed Twice as Dwyane Wade Once Made Big Revelation on His Favorite NBA Legend and Best Teammate

According to him, 2006 was the year of prime Dwyane Wade. He felt on top of the mountain. But his shoulder and knee injuries compelled him to move away from his role, and the Miami Heat legend said he was asked by the time to get healthy first before returning.

“Now I got like a month and a half to get ready for the Olympics, and all the conversation is about the team, and my name is not brought up in the team,” he said.

“I’m hurt. I am really hurt”, he repeated. He acknowledged that his performance was not as good as the previous season. However, the fact that he got snubbed hurt Wade.

Did they actually snub Dwyane Wade?

Jerry Colangelo, the USA Basketball chairman clarified once, that they had to monitor Wade. Since he wasn’t an active player that season, they had to see him practice. The decision to be sure-shot of their players came after a humiliating 2004 bronze medal finish.

USA basketball had won gold for several years, and 2004 was widely recognized as the year that changed how they approached the game henceforth.

Dwyane Wade knew intrinsically that he had every right to be a part of that team due to his past performances. “But having to try out for the Olympic team, twice, that hit my ego”, said Wade.?He felt he was disrespected despite being a Finals MVP.

He added that the incident was a big motivation for him.

Watch This Story: The Redeem Team Consisted of Only 3 NBA Champions Including Kobe Bryant and Dwayne Wade

Dwyane Wade did in the end make it for the Olympics team. Furthermore, the ‘Redeem Team’ brought glory and the gold medal back to the USA in 2008.