The legendary Miami Heat player Udonis Haslem expressed support for his former colleague Dwyane Wade by stating that Wade connects with his daughter through nail painting.
Pat Bev and UD on people giving D Wade hate for painting his nails
“He’s doing nothing wrong by supporting his kids. He should support his kids. Sitting at home painting his nails with his daughter so f****** what. We criticize that? Stop that sucka a** sh*t”
(🎥 @theOGsShow)… pic.twitter.com/XUTWiptX6W
— Emo Jimmy (@HeatCulture13) August 6, 2024
“To start with, my dog has always set the fashion trends,” Haslem remarked. “He never seems to give a damn. Do you understand what I mean? He’s never been afraid to slightly defy the odds. By providing for his children, he is not acting morally. Regardless of what Zaya wants to achieve with her life, he should support her in all of her dreams. That is the responsibility of a parent and a father.
“So, what the f—— is, sitting at home with his girls, doing his nails, regardless of that? You spend all of your time like that with your f—— daughter? Is that how you guys bond? Today’s society is full of girls who grow up with father troubles, and many of them are trying to prevent that from happening for their daughter. And we bemoan that? Put an end to that s—. It is hateful.
Wade Jr., who came out as transgender in 2020, has consistently had her father’s support.
The elder Wade described his daughter as the “strong one in this family” back in 2021. “She is a brave person. Our family’s responsibility is to ensure that we pay attention to her. We pay attention to the physicians. We don’t let other people decide how Zaya should be or should be raised in this world; instead, we ask questions and come up with our own theories.
Not everyone with painted nails at the Olympics is the older Wade, who is providing commentary for the basketball games this summer. The men’s sprinter Noah Lyles, who won a gold medal in the 100 meters, had his nails painted, too, the Hall of Fame basketball star pointed out.
And he got his nails painted 🤣 Say something 👂🏾 https://t.co/lIb0XBN5WI
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) August 4, 2024
It’s amazing to see Haslem, who spent the most of his NBA career with the older Wade, support his former teammate for just being a decent father.
Haslem and the elder Wade played together for a number of seasons in Miami, making five trips to the NBA Finals and sharing three titles. During the Big 3 era, Haslem played with LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and the elder Wade in addition to Shaquille O’Neal.
Following the 2022–2023 NBA season, Haslem announced his retirement from the league. The Heat honored him and the older Wade by retiring their numbers, which were No. 40 and No. 3.
Throughout his illustrious NBA career, the older Wade was a 13-time All-Star and the MVP of the NBA Finals. He averaged 22.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game while shooting 48.0 percent from the floor. Having spent the most of his career with the Heat, he was selected eight times for the NBA All-Star team and earned the scoring title in the 2008–09 season.
Bill Simmons alludes to Anthony Edwards’ relationship with Erik Spoelstra and Bam Adebayo.
Bill Simmons of The Ringer had some insightful observations about Minnesota Timberwolves standout Anthony Edwards’ admiration for head coach Erik Spoelstra and Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo.
Edwards is presently coached by Spoelstra and plays for Team USA in the 2024 Olympics alongside Adebayo.
Bill Simmons on Team USA storylines
“When does the first you know, Ant Edwards really loves Bam and Spoelstra and his experience with them. Don’t be surprised…. Story drop. Am I dropping it now??”
(Per Bill Simmons Pod) 👀 pic.twitter.com/vNSbyJidHZ
— Emo Jimmy (@HeatCulture13) August 7, 2024
Although Simmons seems to believe that this could be a plot point in the future, it would require a deal involving Miami and Minnesota for the Heat to bring all three of them together.
With the Timberwolves, Edwards is starting the first season of a five-year contract that expires after the 2028–2029 season. One of the NBA’s top young players, Edwards guided Minnesota to the 2023–24 Western Conference Finals before falling to the Dallas Mavericks.
Considering Minnesota’s financial commitment to Edwards, a former first-round selection, it’s difficult to imagine the team considering a trade for him following such a thrilling 2023–24 campaign.
Though it doesn’t seem like it is the case at the moment, it is feasible that Edwards might ask for a trade in the future, which would place Minnesota in a difficult situation.
Regarding Adebayo, the Heat secured his long-term commitment this offseason by agreeing to a three-year agreement that will start in the 2026–2027 campaign. Adebayo’s five-year contract with Miami is extended for the same period of time that Edwards’ contract with Minnesota is.
It’s possible that Edwards and Adebayo will try to collaborate later on once their respective contracts expire, but it’s difficult to predict the Heat’s cap situation that far in ahead.
Miami’s future is undoubtedly centered around Adebayo, especially with star Jimmy Butler getting older and closer to the end of his deal with the team. Butler has the option to extend his contract with the Heat, but if a deal cannot be reached, Miami might have to go elsewhere for Adebayo’s running partner in the future.
As one of the most admired coaches in the NBA, Spoelstra has guided the Heat to six NBA Finals appearances and two NBA titles while he has been in Miami.
The fact that so many outstanding players have the opportunity to play for him while he’s an assistant with Team USA is encouraging for the Heat because it may inspire them to play for him again in the future.
