Dwyane Wade's departure from the Heat often has been classified as messy and complicated given the leaguewide surprise that team President Pat Riley didn't extend himself to re-sign the 12-time All-Star and franchise icon.
To Wade, it's actually pretty simple.
"I know who Pat is. It's no secret to me," Wade said following Wednesday's morning shootaround at Phillips Arena. "If you're not with him, you're against him. That's just the way he is. You gotta understand that, man.
"I'm cool with it. I'm fine, 100 percent. I was there 13 years. I've seen a lot of video tributes. I've seen a lot of players come in and go out. And I've seen the way he has responded to them. And I know if you're not with him, you're against him."
Wade returns to Miami on Thursday for the first time as an opponent in the second of back-to-back games for the Bulls following Wednesday's matchup at the Hawks.
In July, when Riley first addressed Wade's departure, he expressed "great regret that (he) didn't immerse myself in the middle of it." Heat owner Micky Arison served as point person for negotiations with Wade.
Then speaking at the Heat's Media Day in September, Riley said he planned to send Wade a long e-mail that was finished and sitting in Riley's drafts folder.
"I haven't talked to him. Simple as that," Wade said. "I think I've been very open and honest about my respect and love for Pat. But I've also been honest that I haven't spoken to him since the season ended."
Wade said he has communicated "with everyone else" in the organization and doesn't know how he'll react to the video tribute the Heat have planned for his return.
"I would love if (the game) wasn't on a back-to-back and three (games) in four (nights)," Wade said. "I would love if I was able to have a day so I can enjoy my house. I'm going to go sleep in my bed for about three hours.
"But I'm going to take advantage of the moments I'm there. I'm going to take advantage of my loved ones that are there, my family and friends that are around, and go out and compete in an arena that I played for 13 years, an environment that I'm used to. It's going to be fun from that aspect."
