SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – It potentially had the makings of going very wrong.
After all, there’s Dwyane Wade, Mr. South Beach, strutting back into his hometown after spending 13 years with the Heat, looking for respect and making sure his voice was going to be heard.
And not just joining a team void of leadership, either.
Already in place was the young Bull in Jimmy Butler, fresh off a season in which he successfully, and rightfully so, hijacked the leadership from a broken core of Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah.
So it would seem that Wade would have to proceed with caution.
Then again, this is Wade, and three NBA championship rings speak volumes.
“I understand it takes more than one leader on teams,’’ Wade said before the 85-77 win over the Jazz Thursday, when discussing how he’s built the relationship with Butler and his new teammates. “Everyone has their own different leadership. For me, I think everybody knew immediately that I’m coming in with three championships. So that immediate respect is there. So my voice when I started talking, from the beginning people would listen. And then from there, it was more so now how do you decide to talk to guys?
“I don’t come in and use that pedigree all the time and say, ‘Hey, listen, I got three championships. Listen to me.’ It’s more about, ‘Hey, when I make a mistake, I want them to call me out on my mistakes.’ It’s about pulling aside, the way you talk to a guy.
“Jimmy’s leadership is Jimmy’s leadership. And my leadership is mine. I think ours co-exist and works together. They see me and Jimmy together more than anyone. I think they understand if two of our leaders are on the same page, then we’re good.’’
They’re more than good.
They’re Batman and Robin. Although Butler swore after the shootaround, “I’m the Black Panther.’’
Either way, their off-the-court relationship has grown quicker than anyone could have anticipated.
Wade is constantly hosting team events, including a movie night Wednesday in Utah, as well as taking Butler, and several other teammates, to his Miami mansion last week when they played the Heat.
It not only is a credit to Wade in understanding team building, but once again shines a light on just how dysfunctional the last few seasons have been with the Bulls.
Rose was as distant a teammate as there was on the roster, while most of the locker room was a series of small cliques.
Wade has played big brother to Butler, mentor to the young players, and a voice that the coaching staff can trust.
“That’s just who I am,’’ Wade said of walking that line. “That’s how I’ve been successful in my career. I’ve been a part of five Finals in Miami. It doesn’t happen by mistake that players want to play with you. I know as a teammate what I bring to my guys off the court. And I know how important that is.
“For me, it’s just coming in and putting my leadership and my stamp on this organization knowing that I can help. I wouldn’t have come here if I didn’t think I could help this organization and help Jimmy. This organization to me is important. It’s my childhood’s favorite organization. I knew I could help from what I’ve learned in this league. I have a lot of knowledge on the court I can help with them. And then I’m into a lot of [stuff] off the court that I can get them involved in and we can do together too. It’s just sharing it all with them.’’
