Wade Apologizes for World Trade Center Comments
Well, we're off to the races. Dwyane Wade issued a formal apology yesterday for comments made comparing his team to the World Trade Center, while answering a question about the upcoming season for the Miami Heat.
On Sunday Wade suggested that if his team, which has been dubbed a proverbial super-team due to additional stars Chris Bosh and LeBron James, begins to lose, it's going to seem like "the world is crashing down." He continued: "You are all going to make it seem like the World Trade has just went down again, but it's not going to be nothing but a couple of basketball games lost and we'll have to get back on track."
Critics were quick to jump on the comments as irrelevant and offensive. Wade issued an apology soon after.
"In an interview (Sunday), I attempted to explain how some people may view the Miami Heat losing a few basketball games in a row during the upcoming season. It appears that my reference to the World Trade Center has been either inaccurately reported or taken completely out of context [...] I was simply trying to say that losing a few basketball games should not be compared to a real catastrophe. While it was certainly not my intention, I sincerely apologize to anyone who found my reference to the World Trade Center to be insensitive or offensive."
While it is clear from his comments Wade meant no harm in the comparison, since, as he clarifies, it's not a legitimate one, the backlash has still turned on Wade and suggested stars' words remain at the will of reporters. This is an unfortunate fact governing many arenas replete with stars and celebrities.
At the same time, it is often hard to give stars the benefit of the doubt. By mentioning the World Trade Center, even just to say how basketball games are truly incomparable to the tragedy, there is the sense that Wade should simply shut up and play basketball. To some the simple mention is outside of the jurisdiction of athletes — but many seem to have falsely taken his comments as a comparison, when in fact it was meant to be just the opposite.
Wade also said that playing with his new team is "going to be crazy," and that he feels like a "new player in Miami."
In a certain way, there is truth to this statement, as the seven seasons he's spent with the Heat, including a championship, now seem like a tentative exercise compared to his near future and the Heat insanity that will govern the NBA.
Wade said that the 2006 title was "fun and exciting," but hopes to secure something more abstract this time around.
It remains what kind of relationship Wade will have with the players on the court, especially given his unique conditions. As the only player of the Wade-James-Bosh trio with experience and excellence on the Heat team, Wade will be expected to assume the role of the leader. Yet how long can this be managed with a player who calls himself "King"?
In this sense Wade will be the focal point of the Heat franchise. He is the current fan favourite, and if the team does not produce the nearly unbelievable numbers its anticipated to, blame will fall into his lap.
Wade was a fifth round pick in 2003. He quickly rose to prominence and demonstrated that he was a world-class player.
Wade said that he believes his future team is going to be a "different kind of beast" for others in the NBA. The Heat have already been compared to the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers and stakes are high.
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