“The Heat Culture” became a debatable term during the Jimmy Butler saga. Pat Riley, the President of the Heat at the beginning, simply denied the superstar’s wish to be traded away. After a couple of suspensions, fines, and a public drama, the Warriors had their new star in Jimmy Buckets. Former players like Dwayne Wade, Shaquille O’Neal shared their nuanced take but backed the player over the President. But Gilbert Arenas is never the one to be nuanced and questioned how long the 80-year-old is fit for the job.

Dwyane Wade spoke to the Miami Herald and was still backing the Godfather. “So I think Pat has done as good of a job as anybody can to be in that position for so long and go through so many generations. Yeah, we all know he’s old. But he’s still sharp as a tool, at the same time. He’s one of the sharpest men that you will sit down and talk to.” As per the 3x NBA champion, the President continues to do the good work for the organization despite the Jimmy Butler trade.

“So he’s very, very good at his job. But also, too, like all of us, he has ways that he wants to see things run and see things done, and he’s going to do it that way. But also, too, he’s going to make some adjustments.” D-Wade mentions ‘My way or the Highway’ in Riley’s context, as he also suffered the same fate as Butler when he moved away from the Miami Heat.

Not only that, LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal had to leave the franchise despite being the superstars for the Heat nation. On the other hand, ex-Warriors star, Arenas, wants the President to fire himself first. “No, he got to fire himself. No one’s complaining about Spo,..” This was the sentiment three weeks ago, and it hasn’t changed.

“Pat is, you know old school, and he really thinks that this still the 80s, mid 90s, like you know. I mean you’re 70 bro, you know what I mean like.” This was from the recent clip of the VladTV interview of Gilbert Arenas. “Let somebody else take over and really understand that is very different thinking right, and you don’t really have the advantage you used to have on players.” Agent Zero felt that the negotiation tactic of Riley was old and not relevant to current players.

Dwyane Wade once shared why he moved away from the Miami Heat

Back in 2016, Dwyane Wade left the Miami Heat to join the Chicago Bulls, signing a two-year contract worth a staggering $47 million. The decision came after negotiations with the Heat collapsed, as Miami only put a delayed two-year, $20 million deal on the table. Although Wade eventually returned to the Heat in 2018, the wounds of leaving still remain prevalent.

“Like, when I left, I heard Pat Riley say something about how he wished he would have done, handled me. That would have been perfectly fine with me if we would have sat down and talked about it that way.” Wade’s words struck a chord, especially when he drew parallels to his own controversial exit from Miami after 13 seasons. “I actually could have signed up for that plan, because you let me know.” For Wade, respect mattered as much as loyalty, and he felt disrespected.

Which is what Butler felt during the entire drama, as reports suggested his monetary wish was not entertained. After the treatment of several superstars in a similar manner, Arenas feels it’s time for a change in the Heat Culture.