The Miami Heat were showing heavy interest in Kevin Durant before his recent trade to the Houston Rockets. It’s at least the second time in Durant’s career that he’s drawn interest from the Heat, but Dwyane Wade says it was never meant to be. In a conversation on the ‘Time Out’ podcast, the Miami legend made an interesting point on why Durant was never coming to Miami, even despite all the rumors.
“LeBron went to Miami, he’s not going to Miami. I said this 10 years ago when the Heat were trying to get him then, and UD talked about this on one of his shows as well. He’s not following LeBron. I know he wasn’t coming to Miami. Why are we recruiting somebody who’s not following LeBron? Why would he do that? LeBron leaves, and KD comes here to do what? I didn’t like it 10 years ago, and I didn’t like it when I heard it recently. I’m glad KD is in Houston and he’s not in Miami because that ain’t it… I don’t wanna be one of those old dudes who can’t come back and get celebrated… Heat, get this sh** together.”
LeBron famously joined the Heat in 2010 after years with the Cavaliers. Thanks to the efforts of Pat Riley, LeBron was able to join forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, forming a superteam that dominated the East. Together, they won two championships in four straight Finals trips before LeBron eventually left.
It’s been over 10 years since LeBron left Miami, but his presence still lingers there, and it’s what Wade says keeps Durant from joining. Throughout his career, Durant has been one of LeBron’s strongest rivals/competitors, but he’s always come behind the 4x champion.
Despite his achievements and successes, Durant was constantly overshadowed and outdone by King James, and not even back-to-back titles with the Warriors could push him above No. 23. Today, Durant has great respect for LeBron, but it’s no secret that he wishes to set himself apart from the basketball legend.
When the Heat emerged as a suitor in the Durant sweepstakes this summer, fans cheered at the thought of him embracing their championship culture. Durant, however, dreamt of something different. On the Heat, he and James would be constantly compared to each other, and Kevin would have to live with his tenure there being secondary to what his greatest rival was able to accomplish.
Instead of opting to chase LeBron and follow in his footsteps, Durant went the other way by trying to be a hero for a different franchise. He’s a member of the Rockets now, with no regrets about how everything played out this summer.
Sadly for the Heat, this means they had to lose out on another NBA superstar, but it seems Pat Riley has no problem taking the slow and methodical approach. In the aftermath of the Jimmy Butler saga, they need a star who is completely bought in, not someone who is stuck looking in the past.
At 36 years old, Kevin still has time to shape his legacy as he desires, and he’s going to do things his way. As a member of the Rockets now, Kevin has a chance for another fresh start, and he intends to make the most of it while he still can.
