words & interview // Darren Griffin
After 13 years, three NBA championships, 12 All-Star appearances and standing as the all-time leading scorer in franchise history, it was widely assumed the Pat Riley and the Miami Heat front office would offer up Kobe-like sums to ensure Dwyane Wade finished his Hall of Fame career in South Beach. They didn’t. Instead, Wade opted for a unique opportunity to return to his roots to play for his hometown Chicago Bulls.
He did so to the tune of $47.5 million over two years, almost $8 million more per year than the Heat were willing to offer. But the 34-year old shooting guard didn’t just return home for a paycheck – not even close. It’s always been a dream of his to play for the professional team in the city that raised him. He sees it realized after already achieving everything most NBA players could ever imagine.
Dwyane Wade is among the rare professional athletes hardly criticized for movement late in his career. Instead, his decisions stand as a stage of his continued evolution, much like his departure from the cozy confines of Jordan Brand to the then unchartered waters of Li-Ning. We recently talked to Dwyane in Chicago during his Coming Home event about growing up in Chicago, his legacy and, of course, the release of the Way of Wade 5.
Nice Kicks: How was your overall basketball experience growing up in Chicago?
Dwyane Wade: For me it was get in where you can fit in. Any court that you could get on, no matter rain, sleet or snow, you played. I didn’t always have hats and gloves and stuff but I figured it out. You just make things happen. You keep your hands covered until you get that ball, then when you get that ball, you get out there and play.
I grew up with two brothers – one was two years older than me and the other was one year older than me. We always played against each other and together. We went to places with a couple of friends so we always had our five. It was cool to feel like we always has our group, our team. We played outside a lot. I didn’t play inside much at all until I got to high school.
Nice Kicks: Was it always safe for you guys outside?
Dwyane Wade: [Laughs] It was safe enough. I mean, I’m here. There were certain neighbors at certain times you knew it was time to get off the court. And there were certain times where you’d hear shooting and you knew it was time to go. But that’s just what we did; basketball was a way of life for us so we would play anywhere we could. Then once I got a little older and went to Richards High School we played on their courts and others courts out in Oak Lawn which was obviously a lot safer.
Nice Kicks: Chicago clearly shaped your game and your sense of style. What were some of your favorite sneakers growing up? Did you have any of them?
Dwyane Wade: Well, that’s the thing: I never had any of my favorites sneakers growing up. I was a Bulls Jordan fan so I was a Jordan sneaker lover from afar. I cried when I couldn’t get the Jordan 11s. Like, cried real tears. But, you know, I really wasn’t exposed to too much beyond that. I did love a lot of signature sneakers. Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen. There were so many dope signature shoes back in the day. But, umm, I was never exposed to having any of them.
Nice Kicks: Now being on your fifth signature shoe with Li-Ning, what were some of the things that changed from the WoW4 to the WoW5? What was your aesthetic approach?
Dwyane Wade: Well, I didn’t want to go too far away from the WoW4. I felt with the Wade 1, 2, and 3, we were trying to find our way. Trying to find our niche. But once we got to the WoW4, I felt the traction was good from our fan support and they were getting what they wanted from the brand. I wanted to stick in that same realm for the WoW5.
I did bring some elements from other shoes we designed into the WoW5. The Wade 1.5 – the playoff version – we took from that. I wanted to make the WoW5 its own but also incorporate some elements of the 1.5 and the WoW4 that I love. We wanted to keep fans familiar with the product and what they can expect to see before we change things up.
Nice Kicks: Being back in Chicago, and being so inspired by the culture of the city, what are some of the stories you want to tell using the WoW5?
Dwyane Wade: Obviously for me its starts with the “Coming Home” shoe. But I think the one thing I’m excited about most is having the people of Chicago get to know our product. Clearly we’re a China brand and have done a lot of business there, small amounts in the States, and we did a lot in Miami. But now I’m in Chicago. So I’m introducing the kids to something a little different.
The kids are about Jordans — especially here in Chicago. So it’s just about introducing them to something unique that they can touch and feel and have, which they haven’t really had an opportunity to do.
Nice Kicks: A lot of people consider change in the NBA a bad thing. But when it’s talked about where you’re concerned, it’s often seen more as an evolution or a maturation. What do think your legacy will be in terms of your sporting brand? In basketball and sneakers?
Dwyane Wade: I’ve always had a different route. Obviously I started with Converse and was with them for six years and had five signature shoes. Then I went over to Jordan Brand for a little while and had a three-year stint there. And that was cool – a lot of people were excited about that. But for me it was really about growing something for legacy purposes, and I felt a great opportunity with Li-Ning to do that.
I have seven stores in China. Wade stores. It’s great for me to see this vision of wanting to create my own lane take steps – it’s amazing. But I don’t know what that legacy will be. For me, we’re in the middle of creating something that I didn’t even know was possible. I remember asking “I think we should have one store,” and now we have seven within two years of us coming up with that idea. You never know what can happen.
Nice Kicks: What are some of your favorite Li-Ning sneakers to date?
Dwyane Wade: My Wade 1 with Li-Ning is going to be one of my favorites of all time. I think especially once I bring it back to try to retro it. I really wanted to focus on the leather. I wanted it to be like a sneaker we’d wear back in the day. The whole Wade 1 line was great. Obviously I played in it on-court and it felt great but off the court I felt it was very versatile. Also, my Wade 4 “All-Star.” I love that shoe. It was crazy when we sold it and the way the fans supported it. That’s just one of my favorite shoes. When it comes to styles, my Wade 1 and 4 are my favorites so far.
Nice Kicks: Will “Coming Home” 5s make that list?
Dwyane Wade: You know what, I don’t know. I have like 40 colorways of the WoW5. [Laughs] I’ll pick them out and think I have some favorites. Then I’ll wear some and get even more pairs later. It’s tough. This year I have some colorways I can’t wait to wear. So the WoW5 is going to end up being special.
