With Banana Boat crew watching, Dwyane Wade posts triple-double in final game of career
Dwyane Wade wrapped up one of the NBA’s great careers on Wednesday against the Brooklyn Nets, and he had plenty of friends in attendance to watch him play one last time.
Given how their friend played during his swan song, they were not disappointed. Wade posted a triple-double to finish his career on the best of notes.
Banana Boat crew forms again for Dwyane Wade’s finale
LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul were in attendance at the Barclays Center to give their Banana Boat teammate a personal sendoff.
.@CP3, @KingJames & @carmeloanthony all showed up to support @DwyaneWade in his final game! ✊#OneLastDance pic.twitter.com/sDj36Q9JKn
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 11, 2019
The quartet of NBA stars went viral in 2015 when a photo of them on a banana boat led to rampant speculation around the formation of a potential super team. That never came to pass, but it was still a fun moment and a reminder that rival players can be strong friends off the court.
Wade is the first of the group to officially retire, though each of the other three players were free to go to Brooklyn. James was shut down by the Los Angeles Lakers two weeks ago, Paul’s Houston Rockets wrapped their regular season Tuesday and Anthony has been a free agent since the Chicago Bulls waived him in February.
James, Anthony and Paul were sitting courtside during the game, and James gave an interview to discuss Wade.
.@KingJames talks about his fondest memories with @DwyaneWade and the @MiamiHEAT.#L3GACY #OneLastDance #HEATCulture #NBA 🔥 pic.twitter.com/jf3QG9Jn5b
— FOX Sports Florida (@FOXSportsFL) April 11, 2019
"We all started this journey together,” James said. “We have a brotherhood that is so much more than basketball. CP played last night, we had our last regular season game last night and Melo’s right here in New York, so we made the decision to come up here. Listen, we couldn’t miss D-Wade’s last game."
Dwyane Wade posts triple-double in final game
As if scoring 30 points in his home finale wasn’t enough, Wade stuffed the stat sheet to deliver the fifth triple-double of his career and the first since 2011. The 37-year-old posted 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. He wasn’t the most efficient with the shots his teammates force-fed him at 10-of-28 shooting, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a fan who truly cares about that.
Fittingly, it was a pass to fellow Heat mainstay Udonis Haslem that sealed the feat for Wade.
Wade’s friends were there to congratulate him when all was said and done.
No better way to go out than in front of your best friends...
Bigger Than Basketball. #Brotherhood pic.twitter.com/bcc0ug0Oxd— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 11, 2019
James congratulated Wade the only way he could: a video bomb of his postgame interview.
Everyone has a friend like @KingJames 😂 #OneLastDance pic.twitter.com/TqQMJ0Pi9H
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 11, 2019
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