“I’m in charge now,” Shaquille O’Neal had earlier said while making his bold statement. The Big Aristotle has often claimed that he had to take on the role of leader wherever he went. Even when speaking about the Miami Heat and their famous culture, O’Neal had a lot to say. He claimed that there was one rule regarding players’ families that he had to change. And he had to do it even if it made them unhappy. However, former NBA player Dwyane Wade dropped a bombshell when he had a very different claim to make.
In the latest episodes of The Why, the Heat champion is seen dishing out surprising revelations. One such revelation was about an old rule concerning Heat players and their families.
Wade revealed that it was a strict rule from then-coach Pat Riley that players couldn’t bring their families on road trips, and their wives and girlfriends weren’t allowed to join them on planes for the games. The only time families were allowed was during the 2006 Finals, when the Heat made history by winning the championship.
“Our family came in for one game in 06. They came in for the closeout game. That was the only time they could come in. They were not able to travel with us. That was a rule set by Pat. The families could not travel. But they was allowed to come and stay at the hotel with us and be there for game six when we ended up obviously closing out and winning the championship,” Wade said.
However, this contrasts with what O’Neal said last year. During his appearance on The Old Man & The Three, O’Neal claimed that when he first joined the Heat in 2004, families were allowed to accompany players on trips. As per him, it was he who changed the rule. And in doing so, he even upset some of his former teammates’ families.
“No, the f*ck they cannot. No, they’re not. This sh*t is done with. No wife, no kids on the plane ever. Unless we make it to the Finals, and then they can come to Games 3, 4, 5, and 6. All the wives hated me, but that’s okay. You’re not traveling. I’m in charge now,” he said.
Oct 28, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Former Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade is honored at halftime during the game against the Detroit Pistons at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images
It’s hard to say who is right. It could be that Riley was inspired by O’Neal’s decision. This isn’t the first time O’Neal has made a claim about his early days with the team.
Shaquille O’Neal talks about the famous Heat Culture
The Heat culture, which is so popular among NBA organizations, has strengthened the team over the past few years. But the 4 X NBA champion claimed that it hadn’t “developed” when he first joined the Miami Heat roster. By that time, he had already won 3 titles with the Lakers. The former Los Angeles Lakers player was with the Heat from 2004 to 2008. And there were certain rules that didn’t sit right with him.
“Listen to me. When you win, then you can say it works. I’m coming from a place where I won three in a row, went a fourth time and lost. So the culture that I had the blueprint for, I won four out of five. So why would I change that? Like I understand three hour practices and all that, but my guy let us practice an hour and a half and it work. And it worked. I’m the type where if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” O’Neal said on The Big Podcast.
Looking back at the team’s past, the Heat culture saw a new light and shape when former coach Pat Riley joined the team. And it was evident since the 1990s. However, it began to fully develop in the 2000s. Nothing about the culture has changed and that is what the players appreciate.
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