SALT LAKE CITY – While Jazz fans may have finally gotten used to seeing Dwyane Wade sitting courtside at home games this season, his former Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra hasn’t quite adjusted to seeing the future hall of famer making a home in Utah.

During the Heat’s second-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers Spoelstra was asked about Wade and his new role.

The Jazz minority owner was at the Heat’s Game 2 victory in Miami over the 76ers as his former team took a 2-0 series lead as they prepare to head back to Philadelphia.

Erik Spoelstra on Dwyane Wade sitting courtside: It just looks weird when he's sitting front row at a Utah game…and next to Danny Ainge, come on…I hope he and Gabby are here for awhile and maybe Chris Bosh can come out to a game pic.twitter.com/bMcarNOfwj

— Brendan Tobin (@Brendan_Tobin) May 5, 2022

Spoelstra said Wade wasn’t the only NBA legend that Spoelstra said he wasn’t used to seeing courtside with the Jazz.

“It just looks weird when he’s sitting front row at a Utah game,” Spoelstra said, “and next to Danny Ainge?”

Wade purchased his share of the Jazz in April of 2021 while Ainge joined the Jazz as the team’s CEO in January.

Despite the strangeness, Spoelstra indicated he was happy for his former player.

“He’s living the life, front row at Utah games, front row here,” Spoelstra said. “I was actually surprised, that’s what I told him out there. I said, ‘I don’t care, it’s an incredible opportunity.'”

Wait for it… “Game worn” 😂 pic.twitter.com/frWIQRuwQs

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) May 5, 2022

Wade won three titles in Miami where he was named to 13 All-Star teams, eight All-NBA teams, and is widely considered one of the greatest players in the history of the game, and will forever be welcomed back to Miami.

“It was great to have him and Gabby here in the building,” Spoelstra said of Wade and actress-wife Gabrielle Union. “I hope they’re here for a while, and maybe [Chris Bosh] can come out to a game as well.”

Along with his stop in Miami, Wade and Union made an appearance at the annual Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art earlier in the week.

 

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