Bittersweet Symphony...

Sunday Dwyane Wade (not pictured, think 80's tv) put on a performance for the ages. He scored 46 points and single-handedly willed the Miami Heat from elimination, and at least for one day, provided Heat fans with a glimmer of hope.

Watching that virtuoso performance made me feel: Sad.
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No, I wasn't just sad because seeing guys TRY in the NBA reminds me how often they dog it. Though that's part of it.

Rather, I kept thinking, this REALLY could be Dwyane's last home game in Miami.

The next time he comes here, he could be wearing a Bulls jersey, or a Cavs jersey, or a Knicks Jersey.

That's insane to me.
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Though I was born in Miami and grew up in Broward, I really came back to Miami in January 2003.

That's the year the Heat drafted Wade.

He's the first athlete who I have "covered" for the entirety of his career.

I put the term "covered" in quotes because I'm not there every day. I go to games periodically. I have interviewed him. But I'm a rare face in the crowd. A nameless dude holding a mic flag, who may or may not have the balls to ask a question, once in a while.

But he's so much more to me.
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I remember watching Wade *BEFORE* Shaq came to town.

I was under the basket in his first playoffs, when he threw down that MONSTER dunk and everyone simultaneously thought, HOLY ***T, who is this kid?

I watched him grow up.

I saw fame go to his head.

I saw his game evolve and devolve.

I saw the size of his post-game jewelry collection grow and the suits get better and better.

I remember when he wasn't a particuarly great soundbite and now he's go-to.

I remember when he'd get mugged at the basket and NOT get a call, and now he constantly gets superstar treatment.

He used to be under-rated.

Now at times, I feel he's over-rated.

But the key to it all, I was there and he was OUR guy.

I feel a personal stake in his triumphs and failures.

He brought Miami a championship. Yes, Zo was the heart and soul of the 2006 team. Yes, Shaq made this town bigger.

But Wade was the star.

I was at Game 3 in Miami of the Finals. The Heat were down 0-2 and down by double-figures, when Wade decided, I won't let us lose.

He did the same thing on Sunday.
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That's what made me sad.

I don't expect loyalty in sports, any more than I expect it in any other business.

But we *do* grow emotionally attached to athletes.

When you kinda-sorta cover them, you grow even MORE attached to them.
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I live in downtown Miami.

One of the coolest aspects of Miami address is that I get to show people, yeah, I live near where the Heat play.

I drive to work every day. On my ride in, I see a billboard, "Wade County."

It's cheesy, but I love it.

It makes me feel like I'm in an important place.

I imagine people in Chicago felt the same way about 23 (I know Wade's still 5 titles short).

I can't imagine how much less relevant our town will be without him.

I wouldn't quite gleefully point out the Triple-A if the Heat were back to their expansion-like ways.
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Dwyane's not the same kid who came in from Marquette.

Even the WAY he scored his 46 Sunday, a little less fun than his early career.

Wade was settling for jumpers.

Yes, he was hitting, which shows signs of his improved jumper.

But still, I'll never forget early Wade.

He used to drive damn near every time.

You thought the poor guy would get killed, but he'd always get back up (heck, that's what his marketing campaign was all about).

He hit some of the most acrobatic, bs shots you've ever seen.

His dad (who lived in my old apartment building) said that growing up they called "Lucky" because he used to hit those shots all the time.

Yeah, he doesn't do that as much anymore.

But even though he's changed, he's still ours.

At least until the Heat's next loss.