Wade says decision to stay in Miami was a difficult one
When news broke Wednesday morning that both Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh would be signing with the Miami Heat, Bulls fans were left to ask if last week's flirtations meant anything.
Wade, who grew up in south suburban Robbins, visited with the Bulls twice in Chicago, once with Bosh sitting in. It seemed like a perfect scenario for Wade to return home, but he chose South Florida instead.
During a televised interview, ESPN's Michael Wilbon asked Wade how close he came to joining the Bulls.
"There was a time there when things kind of swung," Wade answered. "It played on my emotions a lot, because I am a family-oriented person. ... It was one of the hardest decisions I've had to make as a professional. Chicago, they have my heart. I tear up a little right now just thinking about the opportunity I had."
Essentially, Wade passed the buck and suggested Bosh influenced his final choice. Of course, if Wade truly wanted to join the Bulls, Bosh probably wouldn't have gone to Miami by himself.
"Eventually, it came down to Chris and his decision to want to be here in Miami with me," Wade said. "I couldn't pass up on that decision.
"To all my fans in Chicago - that's my home. That's where my heart will always be. At the end of the day, I discussed this with my family. They're all happy that I'm back here in Miami. It's going to all work out. Unfortunately, it didn't work out that I'm in Chicago. But Chicago is my heart and it will always be."
Wade is currently vying for custody of his two sons with ex-wife Siohvaughn, who lives in the Chicago area. A court hearing is schedule for July 19.
"Everyone heard the stuff about my kids," Wade said. "Of course, just like every man in the world, you want to be the best dad possible. You want to have every moment with your kids.
"But I couldn't make this an emotional decision. I had to take myself out of it. That's why I left Chicago and I didn't come to Miami. I went somewhere else and thought about this for a while (reportedly Charleston, S.C. with his girlfriend).
"This is what we asked for, we asked for flexibility. Now we have that in Miami. We have flexibility to put players around us that are going to make us look even better. Now we can get on the pace of building a championship."
Asked about the possibility of LeBron James also joining the Heat, Wade acted as though he has no idea what will happen and will be watching Thursday night when James announces his decision on ESPN.
"Of course we would love LeBron to join Miami, who wouldn't?" Wade asked. "LeBron's going to make his own decision."
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