First came the bling. On Thursday came the banner.
Heat guard Dwyane Wade kicked off his Olympic celebration tour on Thursday when the Heat unveiled a banner in his honor in wake of the U.S. team's gold-medal performance in Beijing.
Wade, who led the U.S. in scoring during its 8-0 run through the Olympic field, picked up more hardware during Thursday's celebration. In addition to the banner, which will be positioned alongside the Heat's 2006 NBA championship banner, Wade also received a ceremonial key to Miami-Dade County. City officials also proclaimed Aug. 28 as Wade Day.
"I actually had to hold back some tears," Wade said after the ceremony. "It was just heartfelt. It's still setting in. It's still surreal. It's a whirlwind. I'm enjoying it. I feel a sense of accomplishment inside, that we did something really important. It's not going to really set in until days later. Years later."
Heat president Pat Riley said Thursday that drafting Wade with the fifth overall pick in 2003 was "the best thing this franchise has ever done."
Riley also said the team would also recognize the Heat's two other Olympians later in the season. Tim Hardaway and Alonzo Mourning played on the gold-medal winning national team at the 2000 Sidney Olympics.
Wade's banner is affixed with his name at the top, with mention of the 2008 Men's Basketball team and the Beijing Olympic logo.
"It's Thursday at noon," Wade said. "And to see people in the arena - all the kids there - to come out and support you, it's always special. Any time I look up there and see I have a banner for something I accomplished, it's going to bring chills to my body."
Comments