Chicago native and former Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade stunned the NBA world this summer when he left Miami to suit up with his hometown Bulls. After talking about that move and everyone around him getting used to it, Wade played in his first preseason game with Chicago last night and more or less looked comfortable doing so, writes K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune:
But when public address announcer Tommy Edwards called the Robbins, Ill., native out first in lineup introductions with “From Chicago…” the Bulls’ flirtations from the 2003 draft and 2010 free agency faded to reality.
Wade, who sent shock waves throughout the NBA by leaving the Heat after 13 seasons and three championships, finished with six points on 2-for-3 shooting in the Bulls’ 93-91 loss to the Bucks in Monday’s exhibition opener.
Like most everything else with these new-look Bulls, Wade without “Heat” on his jersey will take some getting used to.
“I put that book away. Next time I open that book will be Nov. 10,” Wade said, alluding to the Bulls’ first trip to Miami. “Right now, my job is to focus on being my best Dwyane Wade here in Chicago at the tender age of 34, bringing something to this team, organization and city. And it’s no pressure on me because my expectation of myself will always be higher than outside expectations.”
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Wade, who said coach Fred Hoiberg has been encouraging him to shoot more 3-pointers, looked fine in his 11 minutes, 41 seconds. He sank his only two 3-point attempts after making just seven all last regular season and shooting just 15.9 percent from beyond the arc.
Wade, a 28.4 percent career 3-point shooter, did connect at 52.2 percent on 3-pointers last postseason.
Jimmy Butler did his usual two-way work, finishing with 13 points and getting to the line nine times in 15 minutes. And Rajon Rondo, also in his Bulls debut, posted seven assists with six rebounds and five turnovers in 24 minutes.
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“I’ve been in the league 14 years,” Wade said. “This is a straight marathon for me. I’ve talked to Coach about playing a few minutes and kind of revving up as we go on. … Everything for me is different surroundings. But it’s still basketball. Nothing has changed from that standpoint.”
Jimmy Butler said chemistry between him, Wade and Rondo is forming quickly and naturally.
“We’re buying in, studying each other’s games and talking about everything,” Butler said. “Even when practice is over we’re watching film and talking about how we can make each other better.”
