Even if it meant a rivalry with a cherished friend, Dwyane Wade was up for it. The 3x NBA champ took it to another level by maintaining it for more than 13 years. He can’t be blamed, though. After his Banana Boat brother Carmelo Anthony revealed a wild story of getting ignored by The Flash, Wade shared the real reason behind it and how it has everything to do with his time in Miami, where he led the team to three glorious NBA Championships.

The Heat Culture in Miami, known for keeping players disciplined, is still quite strict. Wade joined the franchise at a time when Pat Riley was the head coach. Did you get the hint? Riley had a strict rule for players to avoid fraternizing with rivals and opponent team players. That’s why Wade had to ruthlessly ignore Melo’s greeting on the court during a Miami Heat vs. Denver Nuggets matchup. He praised Melo for understanding his game and playing style than anyone else ever did during his appearance on Anthony’s podcast.

“Melo broke down my game better than anybody has ever broken down my game right here on 7PM (In Brooklyn podcast). I had to run it back because I was like, ‘No one has ever really, they don’t understand my game.’ Heat culture as Melo talked about on the show when he said, I didn’t talk to him, that was Heat Culture,” Wade said during his appearance in a segment of the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast.

Recalling the Heat Culture, Wade confirmed Melo’s story. Previously, in an episode of 7 PM in Brooklyn podcast, the 10x NBA All-Star expressed how he was baffled when his good friend Wade gave a simple nod instead of a good conversation in response to his greeting.

Naturally, Melo was stunned by what happened. Luckily, the 3X NBA champ got the time to clear the confusion.

How did Dwyane Wade save friendship with Carmelo Anthony after that incident?

After the matchup, he called Melo right away to clarify that as a rule of the Heat Culture, he is not allowed to communicate with anyone from the rival team. Melo noted, “He said, ‘Yo, it’s not like that. Yo, the rule is we can’t talk to opposing teams. We can’t communicate. We can’t do none of that.'”

Most are aware of such wild Heat culture stories with the rule of strict diet and fitness regimen being one of them. After 13 years with the Miami Heat, the 13x NBA All-Star got the opportunity to spend a brief time playing for the Chicago Bulls. Perhaps, ‘good time’ would be the right word.

In the podcast, he spoke about having a good time in Chicago, which was poles apart from Heat’s discipline. He once candidly confessed that he doesn’t miss those tough workout sessions. However, Wade in the Miami Heat jersey, reflecting the Heat culture, had a completely different personality that resonated more with the players.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.