The legacy of one of the greatest basketball players of all time is now cemented. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2023 was announced recently. Needless to say, Dwyane Wade has his name listed among the other legends of the game. With the completion of this ceremony in August, Wade will join the elite list that features Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. During a recent conversation, the 3x NBA champion talked about what it is like to be a Hall of Famer.
Wade recently had a numbing moment while thinking about his HOF induction, especially because of the emotion he shares with fellow inductee Pau Gasol over late NBA icon Kobe Bryant. Now Wade admits that he is conflicted about how he ought to take the life-changing news. During a recent interview, the Miami Heat legend opened up about being a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Dwyane Wade felt numb despite being on the verge of receiving a big honor
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During his interview with ESPN earlier this month, Wade talked about the feeling of being a Hall of Famer. He said, “You can put together the best career that you think and you know that it can one day lead you here.”?Wade added that the moment you hear Jerry Colangelo’s voice, it’s a different numbing feeling and strong emotion.
Despite having a startling career, worthy of HOF acknowledgment, Wade is humble in his approach. He admitted that he feels numb at times and so does all of the NBA for that matter because of the absence of Kobe Bryant. He said that he and Pau Gasol shared a brother in the NBA, who couldn’t be there on his big day.
Wade added, “All of us in the NBA, we share a brother that didn?t get the opportunity to take these steps that we?re taking today.”?We lost Kobe in January 2020 and his absence is still felt across the NBA every time a big event comes up. Kobe himself is a Hall of Famer, he was honored posthumously in 2021.
While talking about Kobe, Wade said, “I think all of us are just really numb in this moment.” Although, during his recent conversation at the World Congress of Sports, Wade sounded ecstatic about his HOF induction.
"Yo, you did that s**t, D-Wade." @DwyaneWade on becoming a first-ballot Hall of Famer 😎#SBJWCOS pic.twitter.com/MstM1oe3lI
— Sports Business Journal (@SBJ) April 18, 2023
Dwyane Wade won 3 NBA championships, made 13 NBA All-Star appearances and was declared the NBA finals MVP in 2006.
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Dwyane Wade is trying to be humble amidst his HOF 2023 buzz
Wade sat down for a conversation at the World Congress of Sports in a fine black leather jacket. The 41-year-old made sure that people take notice of his clothing. Continuing with that, Wade talked about his attempt at staying humble amidst his HOF achievement. He said, “I try to do all the humble things that you’re supposed to do.”
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The superstar said that despite his attempts, he can’t stop himself from acknowledging his achievement. Wade added, “I was sitting back, like, yo, you did that sh*t D-Wade.” This is a sweet sight of a great athlete embracing the appreciation coming his way. Undeniably, D-Wade is worthy of every bit of this honor.
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