Dwyane Wade, Jimmy Butler Embrace Before Game Three Of NBA Finals

MIAMI – Before the 2023 NBA Finals tipped off in south beach, Miami Heat legend and Utah Jazz part owner Dwyane Wade shared a hug with superstar Jimmy Butler.

Butler and Wade have been friends going back to Wade’s time in Chicago.

Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler hug before Game 3 🥺 pic.twitter.com/zLCoqGggj7

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 8, 2023

Butler speaks highly of Wade. He said that Wade’s advice has helped fuel his goal of winning a championship.

“It’s always (Dwyane Wade) telling me to be who I am. He’s a huge reason why I’m here. I don’t like to be compared to that guy, but the one thing I do want to be like him, is a champion.”

Jimmy Butler on the advice he’s received about playing in the Finals from Heat legend Dwyane Wade.#NBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV Game 3: Wednesday, 8:30 PM ET on ABC pic.twitter.com/OsR2dSuhx3

— NBA (@NBA) June 6, 2023

In 2016-2017, Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade were teammates on the Chicago Bulls. It was one of two seasons that Wade spent in any city besides Miami.

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Jazz Part Owner Dwyane Wade Named To Hall Of Fame

Utah Jazz part owner and NBA legend Dwyane Wade will be named to the Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame this weekend per reports.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Wade will join one of the greatest classes in Hall Of Fame history.

“Dwyane Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, Tony Parker, Becky Hammon and Gregg Popovich are among the finalists who’ve been elected into Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2023,” Wojnarowski tweeted. “Formal announcement will come at Final Four in Houston this weekend.”

ESPN Sources: Dwyane Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, Tony Parker, Becky Hammon and Gregg Popovich are among the finalists who’ve been elected into Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2023. Formal announcement will come at Final Four in Houston this weekend.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 29, 2023

Wade, Nowitzki, Gasol, Parker, and Hammon are being elected as players. Gregg Popovich is being inducted as the winningest coach in NBA history.

According to reports, the legendary Spurs coach has rejected previous requests to be named to the Hall of Fame, waiting until San Antonio sports icons Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Parker were all inducted.

The Spurs will be well represented with Popovich, Parker, former assistant coach Hammon, and former forward Gasol all reportedly earning nods.

Wade Named To Hall Of Fame

Wade is considered one of the greatest shooting guards in NBA history making his mark on the league as a member of the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, and Cleveland Cavaliers.

During his 16-year NBA career, Wade was named to 13 All-Star teams, eight All-NBA teams, three All-Defensive teams, won three NBA titles, and was a Finals MVP.

Wade retired with career averages of 22 points, 5.4 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 1,047 games.

Former Heat guard and current @UtahJazz part-owner Dwyane Wade also named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary team. #TakeNote | @kslsports https://t.co/Mcwfp0empX

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) October 21, 2021

Wade purchased a minority share of the Jazz in 2021 after developing a friendship with majority owner Ryan Smith.

The former superstar is married to actress and model Gabrielle Union. Wade has four children.

The guard spent two seasons at Marquette before being drafted by the Heat in the vaunted 2003 NBA draft. Since retiring, the future Hall of Famer has become a regular fill-in host on the NBA on TNT.

Chandler Holt is a Digital Sports Producer for sports.ksl.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter at @ChandlerHoltKSL.

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