Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade was added to the roster for the NBA All-Star Game on Friday.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver elected to add Wade as a special team roster addition, after the veteran guard was passed over as a reserve selection. Wade is currently playing in his final season and Silver's gesture will give the guard one more chance to play in the All-Star Game. The commissioner also named Dirk Nowtizki of the Dallas Mavericks as a special roster addition.
"Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade embody the best of the NBA: remarkable skill, drive and professionalism as well as a deep devotion to strengthening their communities and growing the game around the world," Silver said. "As a global celebration of basketball, our All-Star Game is an ideal setting to salute these first-class NBA champions and Finals MVPs."
This selection marks the 13th time Wade has been named to an All-Star team. LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo will be selecting the two squads for the game, which means James and Wade could potentially team up one last time. The two previously played together in Miami, as well as in Cleveland.
Wade is averaging 13.8 points in 25.4 minutes per game this season and has provided All-Star caliber moments at times. The Heat are currently seventh in the Eastern Conference, with 33 games remaining in the season. Wade's contributions the rest of the way, may very well decide Miami's playoff chances. The guard picked up three NBA championship rings in his previous 14 years with the Heat.
Wade is Miami's only All-Star for this year's game, but it is possible another member of the team could participate in the annual Saturday evening events.
The 2019 NBA All-Star Game will take place on February 17th at 8:00 p.m.
