Nov 27, 2010; Dallas, TX, USA; Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh (1), Lebron James (6), guard Dwyane Wade during a break in the action from the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. The Mavs beat the Heat 106-95. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

'I Don’t Feel Like We Did a Good Job' – Miami Heat Legend Subtly Blames Erik Spoelstra for the Team Losing the 2011 Championship

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Sep 5, 2025 7:04 AM ET

Former Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade might have had one more ring if his team had managed to beat the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 NBA Finals.

During a recent episode of his podcast, Wade felt the Miami Heat coaching staff didn’t maximize their role players during their 2011 run, pointing to Mike Bibby and Eddie House. Meanwhile, Rick Carlisle did the opposite for the Dallas Mavericks, a huge reason why they ultimately won.

“We had some guys that could have helped us, but we didn’t utilize them the right way. We had some guys over there. We had Mike Bibby, we had Eddie House,” Wade lamented.

February 3, 2011; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6), shooting guard Dwyane Wade (3), and power forward Chris Bosh (1) huddle up during the second half against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Miami Heat defeated Orlando Magic 104-100. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

“And a lot of it is on the big three. A lot of it is on our coaching staff as well, not on our role players, not at all, but we wasn’t prepared and wasn’t ready. They were, and let’s not forget, Spo was not the Spoelstra he is now, but Rick Carlisle was Rick Carlisle,” he added.

Miami Heat News: Dwyane Wade blasts former Dallas Mavericks owner for calling the 2006 NBA Finals “rigged”

To this day, former Dallas Mavericks majority owner Mark Cuban believes that the Miami Heat “stole” the 2006 NBA championship, and Dwyane Wade is not having any of it, despite the mutual respect between the two.

Oct 28, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Former Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade is honored at halftime during the game against the Detroit Pistons at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images

“You’re not about to tarnish the work that I put in as a young guy to do something that not a lot of young guys have done in this game,” Wade said.

“Mark, stop saying that. Mark, we beat y’all. Did we get some foul calls? Everybody gets foul calls. We had an advantage. It wasn’t rigged. We figured out a way to win just like y’all figured out a way to win in 2011,” he added.