MIAMI _ Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade went out a winner in the eyes of those who vote for the Magic Johnson Award.
The Professional Basketball Writers Association on Monday named the now-retired Miami Heat guard winner of the annual award that "honors the player who best combines excellence on the basketball court with cooperation and dignity in dealing with the media and the public."
Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards, Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz, Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors and Nikola Vucevic of the Orlando Magic also were finalists for the award voted upon by members of the PBWA.
Wade not only averaged 15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game in closing out his career, but, according to the PBWA, "along with coach Erik Spoelstra and the Heat's media relations staff helped build an atmosphere of mutual respect and openness with the working media."
Wade stressed at season's end the importance of being an open book during the farewell tour he termed his One Last Dance.
"Whether it's me writing a book or trying to tell my truths, and I say my truths because there's always three sides to everything, I always try to tell my truth, and I understand that no one's perfect," he said. "I always tell my kids don't even try to be perfect. The only way you learn is through mistakes and through trials and tribulations. I just try to be open to anybody who is a fan of mine or who will listen about life.
"Obviously, the life that I've been able to live is not real life in a sense. This little fake life in the NBA is something totally different, but I've been through real life situations and real life things. I like to express it. I like to share it because you never know what you're saying and what you've been through, how it can help someone else. That's what I've tried to do along the way."
The Magic Johnson Award was first presented in 2001, named for Johnson because of his combination of ability and accessibility.
Wade becomes the second Heat player to win the award, which was presented to Shane Battier in 2013.
Several players who would later go on to play for the Heat also have won the award, including Ray Allen in 2001, while with the Milwaukee Bucks; Jermaine O'Neal in 2004, while with the Indiana Pacers; Battier in 2007, while with the Houston Rockets; and Chris Bosh in 2010, which with the Toronto Raptors.
DeMar DeRozan won the award last season while with the Raptors.
