Imagine this: you’re watching the finals, Lakers vs. Warriors at MSG. Who grabs your attention, LeBron James or Stephen Curry? Your bet’s safe either way. But what about the guys pulling strings from the sidelines, the masterminds behind every big play? Coaches like JJ Redick and Steve Kerr shape games without grabbing the spotlight, yet they carry enormous pressure every single night. We’ve seen coaches getting fired before playoffs or right after a tough postseason run, no matter how solid their regular season looked. Take Mike Malone and Mike Budenholzer, for example. Some call it “smart business.” Others see it as an injustice toward coaches. Taylor Jenkins can say hi here. But what do Dwyane Wade and Dorell Wright think about this cutthroat, unforgiving coaching culture? Let’s hear it from them because no one understands the grind better than players who’ve lived every angle of this league.

Coaches getting fired aren’t new in the NBA. Honestly, sometimes it makes sense when a team clearly needs a fresh voice. But lately, we’ve seen coaches lose jobs just because a star player didn’t vibe with them or playoff runs fell apart. Remember, players get “traded.” They don’t get “fired.” Yet the guys coaching, using years of wisdom, catch the pink slip fast. Why the double standard? Why this unfair treatment when everyone’s risking everything, chasing the same ring and championship moment together? We don’t have a clear answer, but Dwyane Wade and his crew sure do.

In a recent podcast episode, Dwyane Wade and Dorell Wright broke down this whole messy, coach-firing situation without breaking a sweat. Wade kicked things off, asking Wright, “Why do you think they fire coaches? Do you think it’s because they feel like they’re supposed to win championships?” He nailed the question, and Wright didn’t hold back either, replying, “It’s pressure.. You get pressure from the fans, you get pressure from the owners. You get pressure from  the media.” Wade, hearing that, couldn’t hide his emotions. He fired a shot of his own, hinting at folks who’ve never won rings.

He said, “Two people…Don’t know what it takes to win.” My guy, where was he aiming? Fueled by Wright’s media comment, Wade doubled down, “Another. A third one that don’t know what it takes to win.  So that’s where the pressure coming from, People who have never won a championship before.” 

He raised a solid point about this digital era, where any biased, viral take can pile unnecessary heat on head coaches. Wade believes this reckless media pressure eventually forces management to pull the trigger and unfairly fire the guys running the show. And while Wade’s take hits home from every angle, one big question still hangs in the air: When will it stop?

Dwyane Wade leaves the coaching door cracked, hinting the sideline life might call his name someday

13× NBA All-Star, NBA Finals MVP, 3× NBA champion, Gold medal in Olympics. No. 3 jersey retired, and name on that Hall of Fame board. And history tells us that legends like Wade rarely jump from playing to coaching, with only a handful ever taking that leap. So naturally, fans wonder, could Wade be the next big name calling shots from the sidelines in the NBA someday?

Dwyane Wade isn’t slamming that door shut, but he isn’t exactly swinging it wide open either. He left fans hanging just a little. Last year, he dropped this nugget while appearing on the Unapologetically Angel podcast with college basketball star Angel Reese as guest host. During a fan Q&A, someone asked Wade if he ever saw himself coaching a team, and his answer caught attention fast.

“I really don’t want that life, but I would not say no,” Wade admitted, keeping things honest while still teasing the possibility. Reese then flipped the question, asking if Wade would coach his own kids. His response? It got even more interesting from there. “If I needed to…I really feel like if my daughter plays basketball, I think I may be a coach. I definitely think I’m going to be that guy.” he laughed.

Now, beyond basketball, Wade’s written multiple books. He led multiple community programs and notably won the NBA’s 2012-13 Community Assist Award for his off-court work, too. He’s got a full plate now. And coaching might never cut, but it’s a door he’s keeping slightly cracked open. And after his recent takes on media-driven coach firings. No one could blame him for staying far away from that hot seat.