MIAMI -- Dwyane Wade has a message for Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy and anyone else who is criticizing the Miami Heat for how they've handled their recent struggles.
"We're not around here complaining about the attention we get or attention we don't get, we're just stating facts of what we deal with," Wade said at the Heat's morning shootaround as he prepared to face the Los Angeles Lakers Thursday night.
"Besides the Lakers, I don't think there's another team that can understand it. When statements are made about the Miami Heat, about the attention we get and us crying about it, [from] Orlando they really don't understand."
Wade was responding to Van Gundy, who took a shot at the Heat earlier this week after it was revealed some members of the team cried following Sunday's loss to the Chicago Bulls.
"I do chuckle a little bit when they sort of complain about the scrutiny when they get," Van Gundy, who formerly coached the Heat, told reporters. "My suggestion would be if you don't want the scrutiny, you don't hold a championship celebration before you've even practiced together. It's hard to go out yourself and invite that kind of crowd and celebration and attention, and then when things aren't going well, sort of bemoan the fact that you're getting that attention. To me, that doesn't follow."
Van Gundy wasn't the only coach talking about the Heat this week. Lakers coach Phil Jackson took a shot at the Heat crying in the locker room by telling reporters: "This is the NBA: No Boys Allowed. Big boys don't cry. But, if you're going to do it, do it in the toilet where no one can see."
Wade said he has been avoiding watching ESPN during the Heat's five-game losing streak. But some news must be getting through to Wade, who said those types of comments will motivate the team when it turns things around.
"I'm sure everyone in the league is like 'Ah, OK, I knew it wasn't going to work,' " Wade said.
"But in December they didn't say that, they said, 'Oh well, that's right, it is working.' And we look to put that back in their minds again when we start winning ballgames. The Miami Heat isn't going to lose ballgames forever. Right now we're in a tough stretch, every team goes through a tough stretch. But when we get out of it, we'll go on a run."
