Says a goal is continued involvement in Alonzo Mourning's Summer Groove

Ira Winderman |South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Alonzo Mourning and Dwyane Wade ham it up at their press conference at the Hard Rock Hotel. (Lou Toman, Sun Sentinel / May 21, 2009)

HOLLYWOOD - The commitment to South Florida, Dwyane Wade said Thursday, remains strong.

His commitment to a long-term future as a member of the Miami Heat? That, the high-scoring shooting guard said, will come down to factors beyond his area charitable concerns.

Still, if Thursday was any indication, Wade's plans for civic involvement in South Florida transcends both the remaining two seasons on his contract, as well as his July 1, 2010 opt-out window.

Wade joined former Heat teammate Alonzo Mourning at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino for Thursday's formal announcement of the annual charity weekend Mourning founded 13 years ago. The difference this year is the event no longer is known as Zo's Summer Groove, but rather as "The Summer Groove, hosted by Zo and D. Wade." It is the first time Wade has shared top billing.

"I would hope," Wade said, "we would continue to do this for a long, long time together, and it will always be the Summer Groove hosted by Zo and D. Wade."

Such a long-term vision likely only would come to fruition with Wade remaining with the Heat beyond his current contract. Among his options with the team are to sign an extension this summer, which Heat President Pat Riley said would be offered when allowed on July 12, opt out in 2010 for a longer Heat contract, or simply wait until his deal expires on June 30, 2011 and then re-sign as a free agent.

Wade said any fears of him walking away from either the franchise or the Groove are premature and misplaced.

"I've said this since Day 1 and I will continue to say it, this is where I want to be," he said after the completion of Thursday's formal presentation. "My main thing, and I will continue to say it, would be winning. I want to get to the point where I know that every year we're going to be competitive and we're going to win.

"I'm not the guy who wants to lead the league in scoring every year. I'm the guy that wants people to come down here and be a part of something that can be great and win championships."

He said he also wants to remain associated with Mourning's charitable initiatives while also expanding the South Florida scope of his Wade's World Foundation.

Mourning, who formally retired this past season after suffering a severe knee injury in December 2007, said he welcomes the time when Wade becomes the event's title host.

"Some day in the future," Mourning said. "I want do see D. Wade running this particular event. I think he has the capabilities.

"Right now, I don't think he really has the time necessary, because he's still trying to win another NBA title and be a leader of this young team. But I will continue to groom him."

Wade sounded like someone who welcomed the long-term opportunity to make the event his own.

"Last year was first year coming on board and partnering with Alonzo," he said. "It's something that I thought was already phenomenal and really didn't need anything. But Alonzo was kind enough to let me become a part of it, to let me continue to follow the blueprint of what he's done."

Wade said he also is committed to his foundation's charitable efforts in his native Chicago, but said those commitments are on a scale smaller than the Groove.

The Groove's signature charity all-star basketball game, which last year drew Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James and New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul, will be held July 12 at AmericanAirlines, with a full schedule of related events beginning on July 8.

Groove details are available at www.zsg.com.

Ira Winderman can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .