Heat patiently wait on Wade
Guard has off-court issues to deal with on top of injury
MIAMI – Dwyane Wade worked out Sunday afternoon. So did his Miami Heat teammates.
They just weren’t together, and there’s no clear indication yet when the Heat will be whole again.
While the Heat held an open scrimmage before about 5,000 fans in Miami, Wade was in Chicago, going through drills with assistant trainer Rey Jaffet and testing his strained right hamstring. More of a concern, though, is why Wade’s away from the team: The case that’ll decide custody of his two sons continues today, and no one’s sure when he’ll be done testifying.
“What he’s dealing with is way bigger than basketball,” Heat forward LeBron James said. “So when he’s ready to come back, when he’s ready to return, we’ll accept him with open arms, of course. We’ll make sure we hold it down here. What he has going on, we’re all in support, this whole organization, us as teammates, us as friends, us as a family.”
The custody case has been going on for weeks, and the battle with Wade’s now-ex-wife Siohvaughn Wade has been waged for considerably longer.
On his Twitter feed Sunday, Wade indicated that he would not be back in time to see Miami host Charlotte in a preseason game tonight. His schedule for the rest of the week seems in doubt as well, although there has been no indication that Wade won’t be ready – physically or emotionally – for the Oct. 26 regular-season opener in Boston.
“Hopefully,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said, “if there’s no setback.”
Wade had hoped of getting in at least one of Miami’s final two preseason games, in Atlanta on Thursday or against Orlando at Tampa, Fla., on Friday. His status for those contests would seem, at best, doubtful.
Wade’s absence didn’t dampen the mood Sunday, an event primarily for season-ticket holders. Miami has already played two home preseason games, so plenty of South Florida fans have gotten a chance to see James, Chris Bosh and the rest of the revamped roster.
Didn’t matter. A 12-minute scrimmage Sunday was received like a playoff game.
“It has been electric,” Spoelstra said. “We want to do our part, and that’s coming in every single day, working and trying to build this team. But it’s great to see the support and the fact that the fans are ready.”
Fans were greeted by Alonzo Mourning, who was cheered at first, then playfully booed when he said he wasn’t coming out of retirement. Heat president Pat Riley spoke before the workout as well, his words often getting drowned out by the reaction of the crowd.
“We are extremely appreciative of your support and we hope that you’re going to have one truly exciting year,” Riley said. “And I think you will enjoy this whole process.”
What certainly isn’t enjoyable for the Heat to watch is Wade’s legal process.
Wade originally hoped the custody case would be done before training camp opened last month, but as with just about everything involving his divorce and the subsequent legal fallout, delays have popped up often along the way.
So while he’s trying to get his leg right – Wade was hurt three minutes into the preseason opener – his family issues are taking priority, with his team’s blessing.
“You understand that situation, that comes before anything,” James said. “Any time you’re dealing with family, that comes before anything, and whenever he returns, then we’ll be ready.”