Dwyane Wade practiced shooting and not “true patriot love” over the weekend during the Canadian national anthem. Canadians who “stand on guard for thee” let him know about it.
The 13th-year player called shooting during the national anthem at the AmericanAirlines Arena in South Florida “something that I do before every game.” Denizens of the Great White North called him a hoser.
The practice seemed to pay off. Wade shot four-for-six from three-point land after practicing during “Oh Canada.” But he stood at attention, or at least a laid-back version of it, during “The Star Spangled Banner.” The Heat dropped Game Three 95-91 after Wade dropped 38 at home.
The Toronto Raptors lead the series 2-1. The teams play again tonight—but in Miami. They travel for Game Five in Toronto, where Wade likely hears the boo birds, on Wednesday.
“I understand whatever is said from that standpoint,” Wade reflected on Sunday, “but I’m not a disrespectful person. So if anybody thinks I’m being disrespectful towards a country, then they have no idea of who Dwyane Wade is.”
Translation? Canada’s not my home and native land!