CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dwyane Wade's retirement tour is nearing its finish. Filled with three NBA championships, memorable dunks and unforgettable buzzer-beaters, Wade’s NBA story is in its final chapter 16 years after the first words were written.
Wade’s name will always mean more in the city of Miami, but his legend cannot be told properly without a chapter written in Charlotte.
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Down 3-2 to the Hornets and in the midst of a tight Game 6 in the first round of the 2016 NBA playoffs, Wade, who had scored only 13 points through the first three quarters, suddenly found a little extra motivation.
Wade exchanged words and sharp looks with the now-infamous "Purple Shirt Guy," who had been pacing the sidelines hurling heckles of "retire" at Wade all game. The Heat's closer scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, lifting Miami to a 97-90 road victory — and Michael Deason, the fan who became a viral sensation for his attitude and attire, had a perfect seat for all of it.
The final staredown might as well have been the dagger for the series, as Miami went on to win in Game 7. "Purple Shirt Guy" was accused by Hornets fans of ruining Charlotte’s attempt at advancing to the second round for the first time in 12 years.
"That’s just one of those instances where, like, you hear about Spike Lee and Reggie Miller," Heat forward Justise Winslow said. "He just kept poking the bear, and the bear went crazy."
On Wednesday night, Wade's final trip to Charlotte as an NBA player, "Purple Shirt Guy" was nowhere to be found. Ironically, the crowd at Spectrum Center was there to celebrate Wade's retirement rather than deride him for it.
In what felt like a home game for the Heat, Wade’s eight points on 4-of-15 shooting were a far cry from the 23 he scored in that Game 6. The effect was much the same, though, as the 37-year-old looks to extend not only his season, but also his career. The Heat’s 91-84 win over the Hornets propelled Miami into the eighth and final playoff spot in the East.
"It means the world to me when I can come back to a city for the last time and play in a game that means something," Wade said. "You know it’s going to be a good basketball game, and you want to be a part of that."
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While his direct impact on games may now be reduced, something as frivolous as making an overzealous fan eat his own words still carries weight with teammates today.
Winslow was just a rookie when he watched Wade silence the Hornets crowd in 2016, but what he witnessed that April night inspires him to improve his game, regardless of the position the Heat occupy in the standings.
"He’s a legend," Winslow said. "He makes those shots look so easy and so routine that we’ve almost become accustomed to it. We still value him, but it’s like, that’s just another D-Wade fadeaway. It’s been an honor and a blessing to witness his greatness up close. It keeps all of us chasing."
Wade’s focus remains solely on the present and not what lies ahead. He may one day explore ownership like fellow shooting guard Michael Jordan, who just so happens to own the team and venue that once housed "Purple Shirt Guy," but until that day comes, Wade is preoccupied with putting the finishing touches on the final chapter of his playing career.
"It’s definitely a cool moment, a cool story," Wade said. "I appreciate ['Purple Shirt Guy'] for being a part of the story because he’s added to the legend of my career."
And although "Purple Shirt Guy" has had to stew in silence for three long seasons, at least he can find solace in Wade finally heeding his advice and retiring — on Wade's terms.