Dwyane Wade didn't need to tap his red Nikes together three times. It became apparent he wasn't in Miami anymore from the introduction.
"Frommmmmm Chicago," roared Tommy Edwards, the Bulls' public address announcer, "Number three, Dwyane Wade!"
Wade genuflected to the United Center crowd Thursday night and buried his face in his left knee, overtaken by emotion in the moments before making the long-awaited debut for his hometown team. He'd repeated in the offseason that signing with the Bulls had a greater meaning than basketball, and that much was evident. He didn't disappoint.
After spending 13 seasons in South Beach, the 34-year-old Wade opened a new chapter in his storied career and the Bulls franchise with a 22-point performance to will a 105-95 win over the Celtics in the season opener.