Dwyane Wade On Being A Bull: 'I'm Trying To Get Used To It As Well'
(CBS) Dwyane Wade continues to seem just as amazed that he's become a Chicago Bull as the organization, its fans and entire NBA landscape is.
"I may be a little different, because I grew up a Bulls fan," Wade said during a summit hosted by Variety on Thursday. "So when I put on Chicago Bulls basketball gear -- which I've put on every day since I've got the gear, because I'm trying to get used to it as well, don't get me wrong -- but it rings a little different in my ear than it probably rings to the rest of the world."
A 12-time All-Star guard who had spent his entire 13-year NBA career in Miami, Wade agreed to a two-year, $47.5-million deal with the Bulls last week after hard feelings with the Heat got in the way of negotiations. Since the deal that sent shockwaves across the league, Wade has spoken of the difficultly in leaving Miami and also wistfully said he'd have liked another month to make the decision.
Slowly but surely, the reality of Wade being a Bull is setting in, even as he has continually thanked the Heat for 13 great years. Wade is a Chicago native.
"I'm also a guy who has a dream as well," Wade said. "And one of my dreams was always to play for my hometown team. And the time right now came where it was perfect for me to do that.
"No matter what everyone hears that's out there about money and this and that, I'm not that guy. It's not really about that for me. It's about doing something that I want to do.
"It's going to be different, but it's going to be exciting and fun for me."
For bookkeeping reasons and fine print, Wade hasn't officially been signed by the Bulls yet. After it becomes official, the team is expected to hold an introductory press conference for him in late July, after he returns from a promotional trip to China.
On Wednesday night at the ESPYs, Wade was part of a powerful call to end gun violence.
