Pat Riley regrets nearly passing on Dwyane Wade in 2003 NBA draft that changed everything
Pat Riley, the president of the Miami Heat, is one of the greatest minds in NBA history, a Hall of Famer, a championship coach, and a master architect of winning teams. But even legends have their moments of hesitation.
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In a shocking reveal, Riley admitted he nearly didn't draft Dwyane Wade in 2003. Yes, the very player who would go on to redefine the Miami Heat. At the time, Pat Riley wasn't sure Dwyane Wade was the right choice. What followed turned into one of basketball's most unforgettable success stories.
Pat Riley didn't feel confident about Dwyane Wade at first
In a recent interview with ESPN on May 31, 2024, Pat Riley spoke about the 2003 NBA Draft. That year, the Miami Heat had the fifth pick.
Riley had just stepped down as head coach in April 2003 and was now the team's president.
He said, 'I've always liked coaching older guys. I thought we'd never be bad enough to get a top pick.' Riley explained he was mostly looking at point guards and centers that year.
He said names like Kirk Hinrich, T.J. Ford, and Chris Kaman were high on the list. 'Dwyane Wade was there too, but I wasn't sure about him in the beginning,' he added.
Dwyane Wade changed the Miami Heat's story
On June 26, 2003, the Miami Heat picked Dwyane Wade during the NBA Draft in New York City. It became one of the best choices the team ever made. Wade quickly became a star. In his second season, in 2005, he helped take the Heat to the Eastern Conference Finals.
In 2006, Pat Riley came back as head coach. That same year, with help from Shaquille O'Neal, Wade led the team to win the NBA title. He was named the Finals MVP.
Later in 2010, Riley helped sign LeBron James and Chris Bosh. They joined Dwyane Wade to form the famous Big Three. Some fans didn't like how it looked. But Wade said it didn't need to look perfect. It was about the meaning.
Dwyane Wade is now known as the greatest player in Heat history. It's hard to believe Pat Riley almost passed on him. That one pick helped build a winning legacy.
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