One of NBA's finest called the Chicago Bulls "home" in late July after his split from one of the most storied franchises in recent history, the Miami Heat.
Dwyane Wade decided to leave the Heat after 13 seasons with a team that used to house Lebron James. A team that also won the NBA Championship in 2012 and 2013. While Wade had many outstanding years with the Heat, they have fallen short the last couple of years at getting back to the Finals. After Wade took discount after discount for the Heat, they didn't want to follow through and give him what he deserves. Wade, as well as James, thought that the Heat didn't treat Wade as well as the Lakers had treated Kobe during his last seasons.
However, that is the past. Now Wade looks to a future back in his home state. The 2017 Bull's roster is stacked to say the least. With Wade includes Jimmy Butler, Rajon Rondo, Robin Lopez and sharp shooter Doug McDermott.
While it seems that veterans Wade and Rondo will be taking over the upcoming season, Wade proved the public wrong with a statement during a press conference shortly after he announced he would be joining the Bulls.
"This is Jimmy Butlers team. Myself and [Rajon] Rondo are here to bring what we bring as athletes to this team and to this city," said Wade.
Wade's statement seems refreshing in a league where veterans take over teams that need them most, creating their own team the way they would have wanted and being the leaders and coaches. But Wade and Rondo are taking a step back from being superstars and are simply being veteran athletes.
It's hard to say for sure whether Wade will stick to his word, allowing Butler to be the leader for the 2017 Bulls. But it's the action that speaks louder than words in this situation. The Bulls have been playoff contenders for consecutive years now but have fallen short multiple times due to the ongoing injuries (or lack thereof) of their star Derrick Rose who will play for the New York Knicks this coming season. With the Rose era behind them, the Bulls pulled out the big guns by grabbing Wade and Rondo during free agency to create a team that they hope will reflect the time of Michael Jordan and the '90s.
