NBA / Reflecting on the dynamic partnership of the Heat's Big Three, Wade: Surprisingly, it has sparked an enormous resurgence.
- Jamieson
- Sep 3, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated:May 6, 2022
In that famed summer of 2010, LeBron James and Chris Bosh chose to join the Miami Heat to team up with Dwyane Wade. The announcement sent shockwaves throughout the league, igniting widespread reactions. Fast forward over a decade, with Bosh and Wade having hung up their sneakers, LeBron remains an active player. However, that momentous coalition is still celebrated as a turning point in NBA history.
Recently, Wade participated in an exclusive discussion with 'SLAM' magazine, reflecting on the climate of that time: 'We were unaware of how the media and the public would react. We had no idea it would generate such intense backlash. We weren’t equipped for the widespread criticism we faced. We realized our decision wouldn’t be well-received, but never imagined it would be viewed as one of the most unpopular moves in history.'
At that moment, we genuinely weren't ready to face so much animosity. Wade elaborated: 'We had to endure the negativity before we could start achieving our objectives. Before that point, we were all fan favorites. Bosh had no issues with fans during his time as a member of the Raptors. Things were different with the Heat; while James was still James and maintained a fanbase, when we came together, we suddenly attracted widespread disdain. Yet, looking back now, I feel a sense of pride that three young black men took initiative to make this choice and consequently reshaped the culture.'
During the four years they played together, the Heat's Big Three reached the finals every season, clinching the championship titles in both 2012 and 2013. After LeBron's return to the Cavaliers, the trio officially came to an end. Health complications forced Bosh into retirement, while Wade transitioned through the Bulls and Cavaliers, eventually returning to the Heat to bid farewell to his fans in a final season.