Wade’s return to Heat has a neat perk: A different uniform
A sign at the entrance of Miami International Airport welcomes back to the Miami Heat Dwyane Wade, who was traded to the Heat by the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Dwyane Wade could not be more excited to get back to his familiar surroundings.
He’s also excited for an unfamiliar uniform.
Article continues after this advertisementIt’s an unusual perk, but one of the things Wade said he’s looking most forward to when he returns to the Miami Heat on Friday night is the team’s new “Vice” jersey and shorts — the design being a play on the themes of Miami in the 1980s, replete with pastel trim and a font the team used when it played in its original arena.
READ: Dwyane Wade returns to Miami as Cavs continue to deal
“OK, I’ve seen the jerseys — me and a friend of mine, won’t say his name — and I was like, ‘Listen, I need to get those shorts, at least,’” Wade told The Associated Press in an interview after his trade from Cleveland to Miami was completed Thursday. “The jerseys are unreal.”
Article continues after this advertisementThe friend, by the way, was fellow former Heat star — and fellow fashion aficionado — LeBron James.
“I will not confirm nor deny who it was,” Wade said.
Good things come to those who wait… @MiamiHEAT VICE Jerseys have made a #R3TURN! You can NOW reserve limited quantities, hurry!https://t.co/lFHcJKmqwh pic.twitter.com/SqQYPOqm8N
— The Miami HEAT Store (@MiamiHEATstore) February 9, 2018
The Heat are wearing the uniform 15 times this season, with 10 of those left to play. They are in them for Wade’s return against the Milwaukee Bucks, his first game with the Heat since the 2016 playoffs.
“Right now, definitely top three in the best jerseys in the NBA,” Wade said. “Definitely excited to put that on my body real soon here.”
Wade will be back in his No. 3 jersey, and back in his old locker as well. The locker’s most recent occupant, Okaro White, was traded away by Miami in a separate move Thursday.
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The Heat have not announced what sort of tributes will accompany Wade’s return. He said he isn’t worried about that, and insisted he’s more excited to reunite with the likes of Goran Dragic, Udonis Haslem, Josh Richardson and Hassan Whiteside.
“It will be a seamless thing for me to come in and add something to the team,” Wade said.
