In a letter emailed Thursday night to Miami Heat season-ticket holders to coincide with the release of the team’s 2016-17 schedule and also posted on the team’s website, Heat owner Micky Arison hinted at a return by All-Star forward Chris Bosh while focusing on where the franchise stands.
Toward the close of the email, Arison wrote:
“What won’t change is the culture of this organization. The Miami HEAT is a Championship organization. I fully expect this team, from Pat Riley to Head Coach Erik Spoelstra, to our veterans Chris Bosh, Udonis Haslem, Goran Dragic and Josh McRoberts, to our returning young core of Hassan Whiteside, Justise Winslow, Josh Richardson and Tyler Johnson, to the fresh faces joining the HEAT Family to continue our mantra of being the ‘hardest working, best conditioned, most professional, unselfish, toughest, meanest, nastiest team in the NBA.’ “
Bosh has missed the second half of each of the past two seasons due to blood clots. He traveled on Arison’s private plane to Heat playoff games this spring but remained sidelined, despite a desire to return. Heat President Pat Riley said last month a decision on Bosh’s playing future likely would be addressed this month or next month, with the Heat opening training camp the last week of September.
Arison also all but confirmed that the Heat would not again issue Dwyane Wade’s No. 3, writing, “For the first time in a long time, Dwyane Wade will not be part of our team, but it will be a joyous homecoming when we someday hang his #3 jersey from the rafters of AmericanAirlines Arena.”
Wade left the Heat for the Chicago Bulls in free agency after meeting with Arison in New York last month.
Arison’s letter in its entirety, which concluded with his signature:
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
“Thank you for your amazing support over the last 21 years since I became Managing General Partner for your Miami HEAT.
“Thank you for being a Season Ticket Member and helping us achieve 294 consecutive sellouts, the longest sellout streak in team history and the second-longest current streak in the NBA.
“Thank you for creating a fantastic home court advantage, especially during our White Hot HEAT Playoffs. The last 10 years have been a great run, with five NBA Finals appearances and three NBA Championships.
“Obviously, this has been a challenging summer . . . one with significant change. For the first time in a long time, Dwyane Wade will not be part of our team, but it will be a joyous homecoming when we someday hang his #3 jersey from the rafters of AmericanAirlines Arena.
“Over the past 21 years we have had wonderful moments, including winning three championships and cheering as HEAT players were named NBA All-Stars, NBA Finals MVP, League MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. We have also had our share of adversity — from an Allan Houston bounce to All-Star players Alonzo Mourning and Chris Bosh missing significant amounts of time on the court. Together we have celebrated the joys and endured the hardships. Always together. That is what has been special about being part of HEAT Nation.
“And so, as Pat Riley has said on numerous occasions, ‘One of the only things you can count on in life that is permanent is change.’ We need to understand and embrace change as part of sports; in fact, as part of life.
“What won’t change is the culture of this organization. The Miami HEAT is a Championship organization. I fully expect this team, from Pat Riley to Head Coach Erik Spoelstra, to our veterans Chris Bosh, Udonis Haslem, Goran Dragic and Josh McRoberts, to our returning young core of Hassan Whiteside, Justise Winslow, Josh Richardson and Tyler Johnson, to the fresh faces joining the HEAT Family to continue our mantra of being the ‘hardest working, best conditioned, most professional, unselfish, toughest, meanest, nastiest team in the NBA.’
“I’m excited about this team and I’m confident you will enjoy watching us play this season. I look forward to seeing you on Opening Night at AmericanAirlines Arena.
“#LetsGoHEAT”
Micky Arison
iwinderman@sunsentinel.com. Follow him at twitter.com/iraheatbeat or facebook.com/ira.winderman