Dwyane Wade: ‘I Will Always Love Pat Riley’

Dwyane Wade‘s decision to leave Miami for Chicago sent shockwaves through the NBA and while the pieces of what happened behind the scenes are still being put together, Wade spoke to the Miami media yesterday and publicly commented on his relationship with Pat Riley.

Wade acknowledged that he understands the business side of the sport and said that he loves Pat Riley.

More from the Miami Herald:

“There’s going to be a lot of stuff that’s said about me and Pat. First and foremost, I love Pat Riley,” said Wade. “He’s been someone who has been a figurehead in my life since I got drafted here at 21. But at the same time, he has a job to do. He has a different hat to wear. That hat sometimes is not to be my best friend. That hat is to be the president of the organization, and to be a businessman. And it sucks. Because you love somebody so well, you guys love each other, but the business side comes out. You know? And we have to deal with that. I’m not saying we’ve hugged and cried and shared tears at this moment. But I love Pat. And I will always love Pat. And I know he feels the same way about me.”