Wade says decision to leave Miami remains ‘surreal’
MIAMI — Dwyane Wade danced onto the stage holding TV host Kelly Ripa’s hand Thursday morning, settled into his chair and smiled broadly as the studio audience roared with cheers and applause.
Not even a full day after deciding to leave the Miami Heat and join the Chicago Bulls, Wade guest-hosted “Live With Kelly” on Thursday in New York — fulfilling a commitment he made several weeks ago. He spent a few minutes at the start of the opening segment talking about the decision and thanking Heat fans.
He told Ripa the decision still felt “surreal” Thursday.
“I just want to thank all my fans,” Wade said on-air, before an audience that included at least one person who waved his now-former Heat jersey. “We call it Heat Nation. … This little shy kid from Chicago came from Milwaukee to Miami and really grew up. And we did some special things together.”