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South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
Wade now "really excited" about Heat's future
By Michael Cunningham

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

8:31 PM EST, February 15, 2008

NEW ORLEANS

Dwyane Wade admits he once considering shutting down for the rest of the season to rest his surgically repaired left knee.

But that was before the Heat traded for forward Shawn Marion last week. Marion has provided the Heat hope for a resurgence, and he's energized Wade to the point that the All-Star guard no longer is thinking of sitting out and says he is "really excited about the future of Miami."

"At first I didn't know what the vision was," Wade said Friday during the buildup to Sunday's All-Star game. "Now I know we are looking to build to the future. I'm at peace with where we are going.

"I am not looking to get out of a situation because it was bad for a little bit of time. It can't be bad forever."

That's an important statement for the Heat since Wade can opt out of his contract after the 2009-10 season. The Heat owns the league's worst record at the All-Star break (9-42), but started its rebuilding process by trading Shaquille O'Neal for four-time All-Star Marion and guard Marcus Banks.

Wade said he's encouraged the Heat is looking to improve immediately. He said it is setting up as a "big summer" for the Heat as Pat Riley seeks to reshape the roster from one made for O'Neal's power game to a perimeter-oriented offense built around Wade.

Wade said Marion is "someone I can see myself playing with for years to come," citing Marion's scoring, rebounding, consistency and energy as well as his efforts to improve team morale. Marion has indicated he isn't seeking to opt out of a deal that will pay him $17 million for one additional season.

"It's a challenge to go out and find the right guys to put around us," Wade said. "Money is always a concern. But I think we got the right person at the helm. Coach Riley is known for making moves."

Wade eventually will have to rest the sore knee, which has limited his usual explosiveness this season, particularly around the basket. He had surgery on the knee and his left shoulder after last season and has aggravated the knee this season.

The Heat has very little chance to make the postseason but Wade is committed to play at the Beijing Olympics this summer. That and the Heat's struggles had Wade considering sitting out the balance of the season but he said he hasn't given it much thought since the trade.

"Now if you had asked me that a couple weeks ago, it might be a different story," he said. "As a player, you want to play. I will leave it up to coach and [Heat owner] Micky Arison. Every night I am supposed to suit up, I will suit up."

Michael Cunningham can be reached at mcunningham@sun-sentinel.com.