By Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel –
MIAMI — When it comes to the London Olympics, the Miami Heat’s presence will be limited to a Big Two, if that.
Agent Henry Thomas confirmed Thursday to the South Florida Sun Sentinel that Heat guard Dwyane Wade will require surgery on his troublesome left knee, taking himself out of the running for a chance to repeat his gold-medal performance in the 2008 Beijing Games.
USA Basketball confirmed Wade’s withdrawal shortly thereafter, releasing a statement from Wade.
“As many people may know, throughout the season, I struggled with a recurring knee issue. After the championship game, I visited with my doctors for a round of comprehensive medical tests, and the recent results dictate the need for surgery,” Wade said.
“While every part of me wants to be in London, I need to take this time to do what’s best to improve my health and allow me to continue to play the game I love. It was an honor to represent my country in 2004 and in 2008 when we won the gold medal.”
Reached by the Sun Sentinel, Thomas painted a portrait of a player in frequent discomfort this past season.
“We were advised by the doctors that if he did not do the surgery, he would probably be facing another season much like this. It was important for him not to have to go through that again,” Thomas said. “With the surgery, it should alleviate the stiffness in the knee.”
The surgery will be performed by Heat physician Harlan Selesnick, likely on July 9.
Thomas confirmed that Wade had the knee drained several times during the season, with Wade also requiring treatment injections.
“It was an off-and-on kind of thing,” Thomas said of the treatments. “The fluid would build up and it would stiffen the knee, where he didn’t have the bounce. The hope is that the surgery will alleviate that.
“It wasn’t every game. It was an up-and-down thing. The fluid would build up and the knee would stiffen.”
Wade most recently had his left knee drained the day of the Heat’s Game 3 loss to the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the NBA playoffs, eventually turning to teammate LeBron James and asking him to lead the Heat through the balance of the playoffs.
Wade’s arthroscopic surgery should sideline him for six to eight weeks, enough time to have him back on the court well in advance of the October start of training camp. He continues to work at his youth camp at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, with plans to again run an adult basketball fantasy camp in South Florida in August.
Following the Heat’s championship-clinching victory last week over the Oklahoma City Thunder, Wade, who did not miss time during the postseason due to the knee pain, confirmed the surgery was likely.
His absence further reduces an Olympic pool that already has lost Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose and Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard to injury.
USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo said he appreciated the difficult decision Wade faced.
“D-Wade has a lot of equity with USA Basketball and has made great contributions to our program,” he said. “We’re sorry he won’t be with us this summer, but we know he’ll be with us in spirit.”
As a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team that finished 8-0 and won the gold medal, Wade averaged a team-high 16 points per game. He was also a member of the bronze-medal 2004 U.S. Olympic Team.
Wade said last week that if he did not participate in the Olympics he would instead use the time to spend with his family.
“We’re totally supportive of Dwyane’s decision and hope that he has a full and speedy recovery,” U.S. Olympic coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “He has been an amazing member of USA Basketball playing in two Olympics, one world championship, and has served the USA in such an extemporary manner.
“We’ve loved having in our program and we’ll miss him in London.”
James and Bosh are still scheduled to participate in the London Games, although Bosh said he would need to reassess his recovery from the lower-abdominal strain he suffered during the first game of that playoff series against the Pacers. Thomas, who also represents Bosh, said such a decision is imminent.
The U.S. national team holds the first of its three pre-Olympic training camps starting July 6 in Las Vegas.
USA Basketball had been braced for such an announcement, with the pool of potential team members recently increased, with Thunder guard James Harden and New Orleans Hornets free-agent guard Eric Gordon among those who could replace Wade on the Olympic roster.
