Dwyane Wade credits early career success to Shaq

COMRADES. Shaquille O'Neal (L) and Dwyane Wade (R) played crucial roles in securing Miami's first franchise title. Doug Benc / Getty Images North America / AFP

MANILA, Philippines – The Miami Heat retired the jersey of former big man Shaquille O’Neal on Thursday, December 22 (Friday morning, Manila time) as they took on the Los Angeles Lakers in South Florida.

Dwyane Wade, who now plays for the Chicago Bulls, was unable to make it to the ceremony, but posted an image of him and Shaq following their 2006 NBA title victory on Instagram with a touching message.

That year's Heat team beat the Dallas Mavericks in 6 games to win the first title in franchise history.

According to Wade, O’Neal was a great teammate, leader, and friend. The 3-time champion also credited the big man for the success he had early in his career.

“I’m man enough to say that I owe a lot of my early success to this man!” Wade wrote.

Check out the whole Instagram post below:

10 plus years ago we talked about taking a picture like this after we won a championship and we did just that. Thanks to @shaq for helping all of our dreams come true. Great teammate, Great leader and even better friend to me in our time wearing that heat uniform. I'm man enough to say that I owe a lot of my early success to this man! Congrats on number 32 going up in the rafters big fella. It's definitely deserved x 10! #TheHeatles

A photo posted by dwyanewade (@dwyanewade) on Dec 22, 2016 at 11:52am PST

The Heat went on to defeat the Lakers, 115-107. – Rappler.com