Wade wants Chicago Bulls to be ready for his return to Miami
The Chicago Bulls have been a mixed bag early this season, being on the giving and receiving end of lopsided results.
They're on high alert this week, however, with a trip to Miami on Thursday. It will be Dwyane Wade's first and only game during the regular season at his former home.
"He just said, 'Y'all better be ready to play on Thursday. I'll tell you that much,' " Taj Gibson said Tuesday. "He's a funny guy. We're going to be there for him. We're going to try to do our job and get a win."
First, the Bulls have a stop in Atlanta on Wednesday, so the game in Miami will be the second leg of a back-to-back. Coach Fred Hoiberg said he expects Wade to play normal minutes in both contests.
Wade talked about returning to play against the Heat, where he spent 13 seasons, after the Bulls rolled past Orlando on Monday at the United Center.
"I'm looking forward to it," Wade said. "Some of those guys I've played with before, have relationships with, so I'm looking forward to getting out there and competing with them. I'm looking forward to playing in the environment that I played in for 13 years."
Derrick Rose heard some boos and jeers, as well as cheers, when he played at the United Center on Friday with the New York Knicks.
There should be nothing but love for Wade in Miami, where he won three championships and helped recruit LeBron James and Chris Bosh to South Florida in 2010. That trio advanced to the NBA Finals for four consecutive seasons.
"You never know how you're going to be received, but I did everything possibly right in my time there," Wade said. "So hopefully I'm received (for) what I've given to the franchise, but at the same time you never know.
"You might hear a boo or something at some point. Everybody doesn't like you. You've got to understand that. But I think overall it will be positive.
"I'll definitely be appreciative of the moment. I think it's going to be cool just to see familiar faces. I think it's going to be cool to see love and support and (people) just being thankful for what you did. Unless you're just coldblooded, everybody's going to feel something with that.
"At the same time, it's not like my retirement ceremony, where I can get a chance to get real emotional. I'm trying to come in there and beat their butt. And they're going to try and beat our butt, so we've got to get to the competitive part of the game as well."
Most every NBA observer expected Wade to finish his career in Miami, but he pulled a surprise this summer by signing with the Bulls as a free agent and moving back to his hometown. Wade grew up in the Southwest suburbs and attended Richards High School in Oak Lawn.
The Heat is off to a 2-4 start this season. Bosh is not playing because of blood-clot issues. The top scorers are point guard Goran Dragic, center Hassan Whiteside and shooting guard Tyler Johnson.
"I want (Heat fans) to appreciate what we accomplished together," Wade said. "I want them to cheer for their team that they have, support those players over there that's giving their all. Support the future of the organization and be thankful that we all was able to experience an unbelievable ride together."
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Bulls game day
Bulls vs. Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Radio: WLS 890-AM
Outlook: The Bulls went 0-4 against Atlanta last season but catch a break this time because the Hawks played at Cleveland on Tuesday while the Bulls were off. During the first six games, PF Paul Millsap was the Hawks' top scorer at 17.8 ppg, and newcomer Dwight Howard got off to a good start, averaging 17.0 points and 12.3 rebounds. The other big change in Atlanta is Dennis Schroder (15.0 ppg) taking over at PG for Jeff Teague. SG Kyle Korver is shooting 43.3 percent from 3-point range. Heading into the Cleveland game, the Hawks ranked second in the league in point differential behind the L.A. Clippers.
Next: Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena, 7 p.m. Thursday
- Mike McGraw