Dwyane Wade is arguably the biggest Miami Heat legend. After all, he helped the team win its first-ever NBA championship. In the 2006 Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, Wade wreaked havoc and willed the Heat to the title. The team has been on an upward trajectory ever since. One of the most important contributing factors to the franchise’s success is the “Heat Culture”. It has been a massive talking point in the past few years with every star speaking highly about it. While many have explained what the famous culture means, Wade has now simplified what it is.
The Heat have so far won three titles and Wade was a part of all three runs. Even though he took a backseat after LeBron James‘ arrival, he still contributed massively to the team both on and off the court.
Dwyane Wade on the Heat Culture
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Miami Heat lost the NBA title to the Denver Nuggets this year. However, the franchise has shown great consistency in recent times. The team has made the Finals twice in the last four years. Furthermore, they were just one shot away from making it thrice in four years.
Also, the Heat have displayed their ability to scout and develop talents as their role players had a huge impact last season.
All this points to the “Heat Culture” that is so highly spoken about. Recently, NBA legend Dwyane Wade was asked about what the Heat Culture means to him during an interview with Sports Illustrated.
The three-time NBA champion explained what it means as simply as possible in one word. Wade said, “One word: accountability. That’s it.”
READ MORE – Days After Shutting Haters for ?Swimsuit? Backlash, Dwyane Wade?s Wife Gabrielle Recoils With Strong Message
He added, “We all know if someone is not on our butt about something, we will take a shortcut — quick. The Heat don’t allow that. They’re about accountability.”
Dwyane Wade credited the coaches and the owner of the franchise for greatly contributing to this culture.
“That makes it easy for Coach Spo (Erik Spoelstra) to implement what he wants to implement. That makes it easy for (Pat) Riley to implement what he wants to implement because everybody that comes in there will have some accountability. And it’s accountability to each other, most importantly. And that’s Heat culture,”?concluded?Flash.
Who is the greatest Heat player?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Wade admitted that he and many players that came before him had a great impact on the culture.
In July 2011, Miami-Dade County was renamed as Miami-Wade County in honor of Dwyane Wade. Despite this, Wade recently claimed that Udonis Haslem has had the greatest career in Miami Heat history.
He also talked about his initial reaction when he first met Haslem as he joined the team as a rookie.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What do you think? Who is the greatest Miami Heat player ever?
WATCH THIS STORY – From Dwyane Wade to Anthony Davis: Best Teammates of LeBron James in his NBA Career